Delaware Blues
a.k.a. Delaware Blue Fighting Hen or Blue Hen Chicken
A Delaware Blue rooster
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Martin
This is the state bird of Delaware, but it is very rare now. It dates back to the 1700s and originated as fighting cocks carried by one of the Delaware regiments during the Revolutionary War.
The Blue Hen was developed from a strain of Old English Game. The rooster has orange and yellow plumage on his head, neck and saddle above a steel blue body. Shanks should be willow. Roosters weigh in at around 5 lbs. and hens at 4 lbs.
Delaware Blue Links:
Download the pdf file The Delaware Blue Hen: Fact and Fancy
Take the Blue Hen Challenge
A group of Delaware Blue hens
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Kuhn
As in most breeds, the genes that create Blue also give some percentage of Black and Splash
Photos courtesy of Rebecca Martin
Delaware Blue cockerels
Photos courtesy of Rebecca Martin
A Delaware Blue cock
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Kuhn
Delaware Blue pullets
Photos courtesy of Rebecca Martin
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Martin
Delaware Blue chicks Delaware Blue chicks of various ages
or
Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments
Photos courtesy of Rebecca Martin
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Kuhn