The Delaware is an excellent dual-purpose bird with well-developed egg and meat qualities, and a calm and friendly disposition.
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Delawares, originally called "Indian Rivers," were developed by George Ellis of Delaware in 1940 and were used for the production of broilers. The breed originated from crosses of Barred Plymouth Rock roosters and New Hampshire hens. A few off-colored sports were produced that were almost white with black barring on the hackles, primaries, secondaries, and tail. This coloration is very similar to the Colombian color pattern, but with the barring substituting for the black sections. For about 20 years the Delaware and the Delaware x New Hampshire cross were the most popular broiler chickens on the Delmarva Peninsula, because of the Delaware's ability to produce offspring with predominately white feathering. This is an advantage for carcass appearance since white feathers don't leave dark spots on the skin when feathers are growing in. Both the Delaware and the Delaware x New Hampshire were replaced in the late 1950s by the Cornish x Rock cross (solid white) that has come to dominate the industry.
Though its economic dominance was short lived, the Delaware still makes an excellent dual-purpose bird. It has well-developed egg and meat qualities, and a calm and friendly disposition. The breed is noted for rapid growth and fast feathering of the chicks. Cocks grow to eight pounds and hens to six pounds.
The Delaware breed is noted for rapid growth and fast feathering of the chicks. Cocks grow to eight pounds and hens to six pounds. |
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Delaware males may be mated to New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red females and produce chicks of the Delaware color pattern. Delaware females mated to New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red males produced sex-linked offspring; the males having the Delaware color pattern and the females having the solid red color of the sires. Chicks from this second cross can even be sexed by their down color when hatched.
Status: Critical
Breed Clubs and Associations
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312, (919) 542-5704, albc@albc-usa.org, www.albc-usa.org
American Poultry Association, PO Box 306, Burgettstown, PA 15021, secretaryapa@yahoo.com, www.amerpoultryassn.com
Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities, Dr. Charles R.H. Everett, Secretary, 1057 Nick Watts Rd., Lugoff, SC, 29078, crheverett@bellsouth.net
For the past several years ALBC has been exploring the restoration of productive characteristics to historic chicken breeds. Our efforts have yielded great success with the Buckeye breed. The ALBC Buckeye production line is now nearing historic growth and size criteria, and we are encouraged that this same protocol can be applied to some of the other historic chicken breeds. Last year we began this expansion by surveying Java breeders to determine the status of the Java population. A report of that survey can be obtained from ALBC.
In 2008 we will be surveying the Delaware chicken population.
To begin to determine the population status of the Delaware breed, ALBC asks that Delaware chicken breeders let us know about their breeding stock.
To participate in the survey, please answer the above questions and mail to: ALBC Delaware Survey, PO Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312; (919) 542-5704; or e-mail to Don Bixby at dbixby@albc-us.org or Don Schrider at editor@albc-usa.org.
