Description
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. Cackle 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.
We also offer at limited times of the year Delaware Fertile Hatching Eggs
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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| 2025-02-05 |
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| 2025-02-12 |
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slowandold5 –
I ordered 10 female and 1 male. Ended up with 12. 3 males and 9 females. I’m good with that. In store order for 50%off. They are approx. 3 months old. They are larger than my cermani. Every day they get bigger. It’s amazing. And the is unique to each one. I’m so excited to see how they are grown. A little Leary of people saying they are seceptible to a lot of things..I give cackle a 20! on a scale of 1-10
dtwflightpath –
I purchased several to see if they would be OK as a dual purpose breed for homestead use, since that it was the breed used to be used for prior to development of fast growing hybrids. Unfortunately, not only did these have slower growth than other dual purpose/heritage breed chickens I have tried, producing cockerels that were quite small at 16-20 weeks, at almost 23 weeks old the remaining pullets have still not started to lay. Would not recommend as layers or as dual purpose birds. This exact same comment applies to the Buckeyes I purchased at the same time.
audra oldham –
I ordered a large group of chicks and the Delaware was one of the hen groups I ordered in that group. These are such friendly and inquisitive chickens. I’ve raised chickens all my life and my favorites are always the ones with the best personalities. These fit the bill. I did get 4 roos in my group, which is expected with any group you order, and these are my favorite little fellas. They greet me at the gate in the morning and actually like being picked up. I had New Hampshire’s for our flock roos but now we are planning on also keeping these few Delaware roos and buying them some New Hampshire hens for their own flock. Given the docile nature of the Delaware roos they will stay up around the house with their group of ladies. They are also a great size to create the next generation of heritage broilers on our farm.
nina_leblanc –
Update: Chicks are 10 weeks old, sadly I lost one at 8 weeks old. The remaining 25 are starting to develop unique personalities,they are so much fun.
nina_leblanc –
I ordered 22 Delaware chicks and received 26 happy, healthy, warm and dry chicks. They are now 2 weeks old and I still have 26 happy, healthy, warm and dry chicks that have doubled in size. I am very pleased with my new chicks, it was a great experience with no issues ordering from Cackle Hatchery. I should also mention this is the first time ever having chickens.
saramiera –
Update : at 5 months old they gave us their first egg on new year’s morning!! The egg size is small -but that’s to be expected as first eggs are always pretty small from these heritage breeds. They do seem to be the most susceptible to parasites out of all our different breeds but other ghan that they are great!
saramiera –
These are a great fast growing, large egg laying breed. The are friendly and hearty; not bully’s but not pushed around. They are good foragers and love to free range- however, they are white and easy for hawks to spot. So far these are the only breeds in our large flock to be targeted by hawks.
saramiera –
I have raised Delaware chicks twice. They definitely are one of my favorite breeds. They tolerate the Florida heat well and are great foragers. The first time I raise Delaware chicks I got them from a local feed store. They were not supper affectionate although they were curios and friendly. They feathered more quickly then my other breeds and we’re trained quickly. My Delaware chicks from cackle have feathered at a more normal rate and are more affectionate than my last ones. They are robust and very spunky. The are not bullies but don’t get pushed around by the older birds. The seem to think that the adult hens are really cool and seem determined to be an accepted part of the flock. So far I am pleased with my Delaware chicks from Cackle but am waited to see how their production and egg size compare with the ones I got from the feed store. Thanks Cackle for the amazing chicks!!
jessicacohen2021 –
Very pleased with the chicks in this shipment. I asked the Cackle agents which bird produced jumbo eggs and also was a good weight for a meat bird; they recommended the Delaware. I ordered 4, with some other breeds totaling 17. Cackle shipped 19. All are vigorous, well-behaved.
I experimented ordering from a few other hatcheries this year (some commercial, some private), and all of them except Cackle some quality control issues – weak or small birds, incorrect gender. Cackle has consistently shipped me birds with excellent vitality who grow to be very large in size. I’ll be ordering from Cackle exclusively from now on!
Thomas Holliday –
I have raised chickens for over 50 years and have raised a few of at least 20 breeds. I am very disappointed with these Delawares. They were hatched in July and started laying in December. The eggs were supposed to be large to jumbo but after 3 months of laying all 22 hens lay a small to medium egg. I feel the money spent on the chicks and the feed & time to raise them was just a waste. Big chickens small eggs. I should have just kept the Polish chickens less feed same size eggs.
Steven Perry –
Everything shipped timely. ordered 29 chicks, received 31 (27 delawares). 4 weeks later, all 31 alive and well. The Delawares are a lively bunch, inquisitive, and friendly. I love their personalities already. Plan to use half for meat birds, half as layers. My order got close to 50% male/female, which was ideal for me. I will update in another 4-6 weeks. TY Cackle Hatchery!
Jess –
Amazing
We received our chicks today, and all are healthy and lively. Thank you!
Don –
highly recommended
We ordered five Delawares from Cackle last year for our backyard flock. We keep other heavy brown egg layers as well, all of which we like. But we were particularly impressed with how robust these Delawares are. Maybe because Cackle has an especially good breeder flock, or because we had them raised outside by a broody hen (first time we’ve done that), but this group was wonderfully robust as chicks. They went directly from downy chicks to cute round feathered little pullets – no awkward feathered dinosaur phase in between. Personalities are good – bold and friendly without being mean. And the white color with a bit of black is really nice out in the yard. So far, their egg production is on par with any other brown egg layer.
mark –
Delaware Hens/Cockerals
I ordered 15 hens and 3 roosters which arrived as “day old” chicks on the 15th of August. I got my very first egg from this flock on the 17th of September. These birds are quite docile and are very quite. The two roosters that survived (one was attacked by something and died) are not vocal at all as of yet and I know that they are sexually mature because they have been breeding the hens for a good two and a half weeks now. Ive not heard them crow yet and I’m not sure if that is a characteristic of the breed but I’m not complaining! The hens are pretty friendly and I have a couple that will seek out my attention when I’m feeding or working in the coop area. I haven’t eaten any of these as the intention was to develop egg layers but at this point (four months old) I think they are still a little light and need to fill out some more. Overall, I would recommend these as they are fast maturing and are a sweet breed of birds.
Sierra, Florida –
Very Happy 1st Time Chick Mom
Received my 4 with 1 extra Delawares along with a few other breeds. All chicks arrived healthy & full of energy. 3 weeks later they’re doing Great! I’m glad I did my research & ordered from Cackle Hatchery!
Colleen –
Reserve Grand Champion Worthy
I ordered Delawares along with 3 other breeds from you last year and I loved all of them! I am in FFA and I show poultry. My Delaware, who I named Honey, won Reserve Grand Champion! Thank you Cackle Hatchery and I look forward to ordering more chicks from you in 2017!
Sam, South Carolina –
Healthy chicks that are thriving.
Got our 30 Delaware chicks hatched March 7, 2016. All were in fine shape. They are now 10 weeks old and we have lost none. They are active foragers and curious and gentle. We really enjoy them. We intend to keep some for eggs and put some in the freezer in another 10 weeks. We are very happy with our purchase.
Ralph, Upstate NY –
Excellence
I have received my Delaware chick order. They arrived on time, and in perfect condition. The weather for shipping was a bit cold, they were shipped with not only nesting inside to help keep them warm but also a heat pad placed in the bottom. You can’t beat a family owned business with the years of experience and the pride that they have in their work.
Kimberly, Florida July 2009 –
The Cackle Team
My husband and I ordered 15 Delaware chicks (pullets), the order got postponed a bit (which was fine by us) and they came in around the 3rd June 2009 in excellent condition! We have talked to other people that have ordered from other companies) and they have always lost at least one or two of the chicks. So we were almost expecting to lose one. But it did not happen, all of them were just fine. We printed out 2 sheets of the instructions off your website and posted one on the house door going out and the other on the biddy coop. My husband followed the directions to the letter, as I would be tempted to pick them up too much. This was the first time we have ever ordered chicks. But we both have been very impressed and have told several people about your organization. I know for a fact that if the time comes to order chicks again for any reason “Cackle Hatchery” will definitely get our business. Your team is very professional and was able to answer questions via phone and even do a follow up via email. We are enjoying watching them grow and become chickens. Thank you for a job well done and keep it up.
Jill, Indiana April 2013 –
Cackle Hatchery
Just wanted to tell you that we received our chicks midday on the 17th..and all were perfectly perfect and adorable! Thanks soooooo much for working with us on a quicker ship date:)
Marsha, Iowa July 2010 –
Chicks you sent me
You sent me some beautiful birds that are either Delawares or Delaware/Hamp cross. Those birds are the biggest so far. And there is a huge pure white female that may be a Jersey Giant. She is also the largest. They are real nice.
James Oklahoma –
I’m very happy!
I decided to do business with you because of your fair prices. i got my chicks faster than I thought and everyone was alive and healthy. I am very happy and I look forward to doing business again.
Teresa Oklahoma May 2010 –
Good Information
I just wanted you to know I received my chicks and they are all in really good condition. They are healthy and happy Delaware chicks! I have recommended you all to other people. Although I’m sure you don’t need a recommendation. Just a thank you from me.
Allan Maine May 2010 –
Attn: Customer Service
Know you are all very busy and just wanted to let you know that all that chicks I ordered arrived yesterday and are doing very well. This is my second order from you and I’m very pleased with the birds I get from you. Thanks again and have a great year.
Jim Indiana July 1010 –
Order
Received order today. They are live and healthy. Everybody done a good job. Even the Post Office. Thanks
Mary Kansas May 2010 –
Many Thanks
I am very pleased to report that the 4th order has arrived like the rest. All healthy happy vigorous and ready to go. The orders prior to this one have lived and been healthy for the first 2 weeks. Please keep up the good work. Also Superior Customer Service. Again Very Pleased AAA++service. Thanks to you all!!!
Johnette, Texas May 2015 –
Cackle people
Just to let you know my order was received today and all chicks were in excellent condition! Everyone was healthy and vigorous and seemed happy to be at their new home! Your staff was very pleasant and courteous and we actually received our order a day sooner than expected! Thank you for providing us with quality chicks and great service again!
Michael Tennessee July 2014 –
Cackle Hatchery
I appreciate the manner in which you packaged the chicks. Certainly much better than other hatcheries that shall remain nameless. You have me as a customer to stay.