Enjoy Heritage Chickens
(Page 4 of 6)
The Delaware was bred in the Delmarva Peninsula, along the
East Coast in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, just after
World War II for the production of broilers. In the 1940s,
it was standard practice to mate Barred Plymouth Rock
roosters with New Hampshire hens to produce a commercial
broiler. A Delaware poultryman, George Ellis, noted several
white offspring with black barring only on their tails and
necks. They caught his eye because white-colored chickens
tend to have a more appealing carcass, lacking dark bumps
where new feathers are about to emerge. He reportedly
decided to experiment with these light-colored chickens to
see if they would reproduce this color on their offspring,
and they did. The Delaware breed, or “Indian
Rivers” as Ellis first called them, appealed to
commercial poultrymen and dominated the commercial poultry
industry along the Delmarva Peninsula for the next 20
years.
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Because of its commercial beginnings, the Delaware is a
very productive breed. The birds are noted for a fast
growth rate, reaching broiler size in about 12 weeks. The
pullets begin laying early in the season and have a
reputation for high egg production. They produce eggs well
through the winter, a time when many breeds slow their
production in response to shorter days. This breed is a
good example of a dual-purpose chicken — producing
plenty of meat and large brown eggs with a moderate amount
of care.
“Delawares are real personable,” says breeder
Jord Wilson of Prairie Grass Poultry in Lexington, Okla.
“As chicks, they come right up to you. They are
curious and gentle, not flighty as adults.” Because
of their temperament, Delawares will adapt to a variety of
living conditions, including confined spaces. This breed is
a good choice for anyone looking for a very productive and
friendly chicken that will do well in moderate climate
zones. And they are hardy. When an intestinal disease
infected part of Wilson’s flock, he did not lose any
of his Delawares.
Chicken Resources
Read more stories online
Visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/livestock to read the
following stories:
“Backyard Breeds”
The best chicken breeds for backyard egg production are
elegant heritage breeds.
“Mother’s Mini-coop”
Build this mini-coop to keep the birds safe and easily move
their pen around so they can feed throughout your yard and
garden.
“Chickens in the City”
Even city dwellers can keep a few hens as easily as they
keep dogs or cats. We surveyed 20 cities across the country
and found that most allowed chickens.
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