Generally speaking, you should be able to get at least 3-4 eggs per week from your Delaware Hen. Robust, they handle both cold and heat well. The Delaware Chicken used to be one of the most important chicken breeds in the United States. However, the occasional rooster will exercise his rights to aggressive behavior. In the 1940’s companies such as Perdue Farms, the Delmarva Peninsula supplied the entire USA East Coast with chicken. Delawares have dwindled to a few hundred birds. If you are lucky enough to live near a local hatchery where you can find Delaware chickens for sale, that is great. Information on Chicken Breeds from A to Z. If, however, you are among the unfortunates that are unable to do so, consider the following hatcheries as good options: The general cost per chick ranges on average from: As an advice, you should opt for straight run chickens when you need a lot of chickens and you are not too fussed what their gender is. Every so often, these two would create a mutation. Just a rare genetic abnormality. Owners describe them as a robust, muscular, and substantial breed. The Delaware unlike many chickens has only one variety—the Barred Silver Columbian. They came to the poultry party late in 1940. On the whole Delawares have a mild, quiet, and calm disposition suitable to the backyard chicken farmer. If you like this chicken and you already know this breed, then you can find Delaware chickens for sale at the end of this article. Developed originally as a commercial, dual-purpose breed but later replaced by hybrids, Delawares today make excellent backyard chickens. Provide good layers good bedding and artificial lighting for maximum egg output. The Delaware Chicken would just so happen to be the result of that. That is why it is in the top 10 largest chicken breeds. They both have predominantly white plumage. They have been designed to reach maturity fast in order to be slaughtered. They barely make any noise. Help establish and propagate this heritage breed. They barely make any noise. Delawares came on the poultry scene relatively late in agriculture history and had little chance to establish themselves prior to the onset of hybrid breeds. Delaware chickens are great, we have two of them Very informative articles thanks. They possess all the potential of a commercial breed with all the personality of a backyard chicken. The breed has experienced some resurgence thanks to American heritage breeders. However, the occasional rooster will exercise his rights to aggressive behavior. Do bear in mind that their production is going to taper off a little bit when they are molting, but even then, you should still be able to get at least 3 eggs per week, which is going to be more than enough for some people. By the late 1990’s the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy estimated the total number of Delaware hens at fewer than 400. Chickenmag.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The creation of the Delaware chicken was in many ways happenstance.It all started with the Rhode Island Red.As the Rhode Island Red breed was being refined for better eggs and meat, several white ‘sports’ were created.In the 1940s a fellow called George Ellis saw potential in these birds and started working with them. At first, he named the breed Indian Rivers but later came to name them Delaware after the state they were created in. Since this was a broiler chicken for a while, as you may expect, it is a chicken that is somewhat on the larger side of things. Also a white bird woul… Protect their large comb and wattles during cold spells. Now, let’s take a little look at this beautiful creature and what it is able to offer the world. On the whole Delawares have a mild, quiet, and calm disposition suitable to the backyard chicken farmer. So, if you love a good bit of fresh chicken on the table, then you may find that the Delaware is one of your best bets. At heart, Delaware chickens have always been meat producers. Take advantage of the Delaware’s dual-purpose status. Luckily, the Delaware Chicken was everything the meat industry wanted. These chickens would then be bred together. The Delaware breed and temperament really offers the best of both worlds. We won’t go into depth on how the world of breeding chickens worked, but the breed of the Delaware Chicken started in the New Hampshire Red and Barred Plymouth Rock. Owners describe the hens as broody but good mothers. Delawares mature quickly and produce a clean, white-meat table fowl. Delawares bear confinement well. They typically lay four, large, brown eggs a week far into the winter months. The Delaware is a breed of chicken originating in the U.S. state of Delaware. They are broiler chickens. Yes. For long term protection build an insulated, draft-free coop. It can cause issues during the winter months, so you are going to need to think of ways in which you can help to protect the comb from the elements. Chicks develop feathers quicker than most breeds. Many breeders keep them today with the goal of preserving the Delaware as one of America’s heritage breeds.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'chickenbreedslist_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',115,'0','0'])); Delawares bear confinement well.