Delaware chickens for small farms

Originated and developed in the state of Delaware USA in the 1940’s and admitted into the American Standard of Perfection in 1952. The Delaware is a dual purpose chicken with a single comb and a layer of brown eggs. Plumage is nearly white with black feathers around the neck and tail and the bird is a rapid grower. Origin comes from a  hatchery man crossing Rock-Reds and occasionally a white colored chick would be in a tray considered to be an “off color” a “sport.” These white chicks grew very fast and big and, after of years of breeding the white offspring, they eventually became consistent with their color and color patterns and became a standard breed. In the 1980’s and 1990’s very few of these pure Delaware flocks still existed. Only in the last 15 years has this breed made a comeback. Hatchery® is proud to be a long time breeder of this beautiful chicken. Our original stock came from Colonial Poultry Farms in Pleasant Hill, Missouri which has long been out of business.