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Delaware Blue Hen

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Delaware Blue Hen
Traits
A Delaware Blue Hen cock
Other names	Blue Hen Chicken Blue Hen of Delaware
Country of origin	United States of America
Weight	Male: 5 lb (2.5 kg)^[1]^: 76 Female: 4 lb (2 kg)^[1]^: 76
Comb type	single
Color	blue
Classification
Notes
official bird of the State of Delaware

The Delaware Blue Hen or Blue Hen of Delaware is a blue strain of American gamecock. Under the name Blue Hen Chicken it is the official bird of the State of Delaware. It is the emblem or mascot of several institutions in the state, among them the sports teams of the University of Delaware.

History

[edit]

The Blue Hen is not a recognized chicken breed.^[2] There are a number of different accounts of the origins of the Blue Hen name, which dates from 1775.^[2] According to one story, during the Revolutionary War, the men of the 2nd company of the 1st Delaware Regiment under Captain Jonathan Caldwell, recruited mostly in Kent County, took with them blue game chickens which acquired such a reputation for their fighting ability that the men also came to be known as "Blue Hen's Chickens";^[1]^: 76 another tale is that Caldwell had two gamecocks hatched from a certain blue hen, and that the men called themselves the "Sons of the Blue Hen".^[2] It is also possible that the men of the company acquired a nickname of this sort because their uniforms were reminiscent of the plumage of a fighting cock.^[2]

The Blue Hen Chicken was adopted as the official bird of the State of Delaware on April 14, 1939.^[3]

The sports teams of the University of Delaware are called the Blue Hens, and their mascot, YoUDee, derives from the bird. In the 1960s, S. Hallock duPont, who bred Blue Hens (though not derived from the original Kent County stock), gave twelve birds to the University, which keeps a small flock at its College of Agriculture & Natural Resources; in 2007 this numbered approximately forty birds.^[1]^: 76^[2]

The Blue Hen is also the emblem of the 166th Airlift Wing and its 142nd Airlift Squadron, stationed in Delaware.^[4]

Characteristics

[edit]

The birds kept by the University of Delaware have been cross-bred with birds of the Blue Andalusian breed from Spain, and have acquired many of its characteristics.^[1]^: 76 They are Mediterranean in appearance, and no longer resemble the original fighting birds.^[2] The body is different in both shape and size, there is less gold coloration on the neck hackles, and the earlobes are white rather than the original red.^[1]^: 76

References

[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Carol Ekarius (2007). Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781580176675.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Paul H. Sammelwitz The Delaware Blue Hen: Fact and Fancy. University of Delaware Department of Animal Science and Agricultural Biochemistry. Accessed May 2022.
^ CHAPTER 128: "Blue Hens Chicken" Official State Bird: An Act adopting the "Blue Hen Chicken" as the Official Bird of the State of Delaware. Delaware General Assembly: 107th Assembly. Accessed March 2023.
^ Nathan Bright (July 2015). Seasons Change. People Change. Patches Change. The DANG Truth, Delaware Air National Guard, 166th Airlift Wing. 55 (7): 8.

v t e Chicken breeds of Canada and the United States
Ameraucana American Game Brahma Buckeye California Gray Chantecler Delaware Dominique Holland Iowa Blue Java Jersey Giant Lamona New Hampshire Red Plymouth Rock Pyncheon Rhode Island Red Rhode Island White Wyandotte

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The Delaware Blue Hen, also known as the Blue Hen Chicken, is the official state bird of Delaware, adopted on April 14, 1939, and represents a strain of game chickens celebrated for their steel-blue feather coloring and legendary fighting spirit rather than a formally recognized breed.^[1]^[2] Originating during the American Revolutionary War, the Blue Hen gained fame through a particular hen owned by Captain Jonathan Caldwell of a Kent County, Delaware, military company, whose offspring were prized as exceptionally fierce fighting cocks that rarely lost in matches.^[3]^[4] The soldiers in Caldwell's unit, noted for their bravery in battles such as Long Island and White Plains, became nicknamed "The Blue Hen's Chickens" or "Sons of the Blue Hen" in tribute to both the hen's progeny and their own valor, a moniker that evolved into a broader symbol for Delaware's resilient populace.^[2]^[1] Physically, true Blue Hens exhibit a distinctive steel-blue plumage—distinct from the brighter electric blue often depicted in mascots—with possible accents of red, brown, rust, black, or white, and their genetics produce approximately half blue-feathered offspring when bred together, with the remainder showing solid black or black-and-white patterns.^[2]^[5] Although the original birds were bred as gamecocks for cockfighting—a practice now illegal—the modern strains maintained by institutions like the University of Delaware have been cross-bred with Blue Andalusian chickens, resulting in birds that more closely resemble active, Mediterranean-type layers with a feisty yet non-aggressive temperament suitable for educational and exhibition purposes.^[3]^[6] The Blue Hen's cultural significance extends beyond its wartime origins, embodying Delaware's fighting spirit and appearing in political campaigns, publications, and as the mascot for the University of Delaware's athletic teams, the "Fightin' Blue Hens," complete with the live mascot YoUDee.^[1]^[7] This designation also reflects Delaware's nickname as the "Blue Hen State," highlighting the bird's enduring role in state identity and heritage preservation efforts.^[3]

Origins and History

Revolutionary War Association

During the American Revolutionary War, soldiers from Kent County, Delaware, formed a company under Captain Jonathan Caldwell that became legendary for its association with gamecocks hatched by a blue hen, renowned for their fierce fighting abilities.^[8] Recruited in 1775 as part of the Delaware Battalion raised by order of the Continental Congress on December 9 of that year, Caldwell's men reportedly carried these birds into camp, where the cocks' spirited combats inspired their comrades and earned the unit the nickname "Blue Hen's Chickens."^[9] This moniker reflected the soldiers' own valor, likening them to the tenacious offspring of the blue hen, and soon extended to the entire Delaware Regiment as a symbol of their unyielding spirit during battles from 1776 to 1778.^[10] The anecdote of Caldwell's gamecocks traces to traditions preserved in Kent County, where the birds were celebrated for their blue plumage and combative prowess, fostering camaraderie among the troops amid the hardships of war.^[11] Historical accounts describe how the soldiers would pit the cocks against those of other units, with the blue hen's progeny consistently prevailing, thus solidifying the regiment's reputation as "Caldwell's Gamecocks" or "The Blue Hen's Chickens" by the late 1770s.^[12] Initial documentation of these birds' presence in Delaware during the war era appears in post-Revolutionary War recollections, such as those compiled in 19th-century state histories, which recount the tradition as originating from Caldwell's 1775 enlistment and the battalion's service.^[10] These early references, drawn from veteran testimonies and local lore, establish the blue hen's cultural roots in Delaware's military heritage without contemporary wartime records explicitly naming the birds.^[13]

Strain Development

The Delaware Blue Hen emerged as a distinct blue variant of American gamecocks through selective breeding efforts in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with breeders in Delaware focusing on maintaining and enhancing the distinctive slate-blue plumage and spirited temperament originally associated with the birds carried by Continental Army soldiers.^[14] This process involved crossing gamecock lines to fix the blue coloration while preserving the breed's agility and hardiness, resulting in a localized strain prized for both ornamental and functional qualities in rural poultry keeping.^[14] The genetic basis of the blue feathering in the Delaware Blue Hen lies in heterozygosity at the Bl locus (Bl/bl+), an incomplete dominant dilution gene that affects black pigmentation; when two heterozygous blue parents are bred, the expected offspring ratios are 50% blue (Bl/bl+), 25% black (bl+/bl+), and 25% white or splash (Bl/Bl).^[15] This inheritance pattern requires ongoing selective breeding to consistently produce the desired blue phenotype, as homozygous combinations shift toward either intensified black or diluted splash markings.^[16] By the early 1900s, the strain had transitioned from its origins as aggressive fighting birds to utility fowl suitable for egg production and light meat, increasingly resembling Mediterranean breeds such as the Leghorn in body conformation, with a more streamlined build and productive laying habits.^[14] This evolution reflected broader shifts in American poultry practices, where selective breeding emphasized dual-purpose traits over cockfighting prowess, allowing the Blue Hen to adapt to farmstead roles while retaining its historical coloration.^[14]

Physical Description

Plumage and Appearance

The Delaware Blue Hen exhibits a distinctive steel-blue plumage that gives the bird its name, featuring an iridescent blue hue over a steel-gray base. This coloration is most prominent in the body feathers, creating a shimmering effect in sunlight, while the tail and flight feathers are solid black for contrast. Roosters have orange and yellow plumage on the head, neck, and saddle over the steel-blue body.^[17]^[5] Both hens and roosters share red combs, wattles, and facial skin, which stand out vividly against the cooler tones of the plumage. The legs are yellow, as are the beaks, contributing to the bird's overall clean and robust look. Sexual dimorphism is evident in the plumage and structure: roosters possess larger, more prominent combs and exhibit greater iridescence in their feathers compared to hens, whose plumage tends to be slightly duller and more uniform, with males appearing more colorful overall.^[18]^[5] Modern Blue Hens have been cross-bred with Blue Andalusian chickens, resulting in lighter, more Mediterranean-type plumage. The blue-gray coloration arises from a specific genetic dilution factor, where mating two blue parents produces approximately 50% blue offspring, 25% solid black, and 25% splash (predominantly white with irregular black splashes).^[9]^[19]

Size and Build

The Delaware Blue Hen possesses a compact, athletic build reflective of its origins in gamecock strains, with a broad breast, deep body, and strong, muscular legs that provide stability and power. This structure gives the bird a robust yet agile appearance, adapted for historical fighting roles and modern exhibition as a heritage strain. The overall proportions emphasize a medium frame.^[17] In terms of weight, mature roosters average 5 pounds (2.3 kg), while hens typically weigh 4 pounds (1.8 kg), making them lighter than many commercial broiler breeds but well-suited for backyard or heritage farming and preservation. These dimensions highlight the strain's efficient growth without excessive bulk, allowing for quick development to full physical maturity.^[17] Delaware Blue Hens achieve mature size rapidly, generally reaching adult proportions within 16-20 weeks, a trait inherited from their fast-feathering and growth-oriented ancestry. This accelerated maturation supports early productivity in educational and exhibition contexts.^[20]

Temperament and Behavior

Historical Fighting Traits

The Delaware Blue Hen, originating from a strain of gamecocks in 18th-century Delaware, gained a widespread reputation for its aggressive and tenacious performance in cockfights, a popular amusement among colonists and later American breeders. These birds, descended from Old English Game stock, were particularly prized for their unyielding combat style, often outlasting and overpowering opponents in staged matches that drew crowds across the Mid-Atlantic region. Historical accounts from Delaware regiments during the Revolutionary War highlight how the cocks' fierce battles entertained troops and symbolized the soldiers' own valor, earning the unit the moniker "Blue Hen's Chickens."^[9]^[2]^[21]^[17] Delaware breeders selectively developed the Blue Hen for traits that enhanced its fighting prowess, including remarkable endurance to sustain prolonged engagements, swift agility for evading strikes, and bold fearlessness that prevented retreat even against larger adversaries. These qualities made the breed a favorite among local cockfighters in the late 18th and 19th centuries, as the birds consistently demonstrated success in pits, contributing to the strain's regional dominance and cultural significance in Delaware. The combination of physical resilience and spirited aggression ensured that Blue Hen gamecocks were sought after for their reliability in competitive settings.^[4]^[22] By the early 20th century, the use of Delaware Blue Hens in cockfighting had significantly declined, driven by shifting societal attitudes that increasingly viewed the practice as cruel and inhumane. Although banned in Delaware as early as 1852, underground fights persisted into the late 19th century, but growing animal welfare movements and legal pressures nationwide curtailed the sport's prominence, redirecting breeding efforts toward utility purposes. This transition marked the end of the Blue Hen's era as a premier fighting fowl.^[23]^[24]^[25]

Contemporary Characteristics

In contemporary settings, Delaware Blue Hens maintained by institutions like the University of Delaware exhibit a feisty and active temperament, resembling Mediterranean-type chickens due to cross-breeding with Blue Andalusian stock. These birds are spirited and inclined to assert themselves within the flock, particularly when new individuals are introduced, but they are generally non-aggressive toward humans, making them suitable for educational and exhibition purposes. Roosters can be assertive and may require separation to prevent inter-male aggression, while hens are lively foragers that occasionally display broody tendencies.^[5]^[26] The strain's adaptability includes tolerance for varied climates, supported by their dense feathering, and they maintain active behaviors year-round, contributing to their role in heritage preservation rather than commercial utility.^[9]

State Symbol Status

Designation Process

In the 1930s, the Delaware State Federation of Women's Clubs played a key role in advocating for an official state bird, initially proposing the scarlet cardinal as a symbol representative of the state's natural heritage.^[2] However, this recommendation faced competition from the Blue Hen Chicken, whose longstanding cultural significance ultimately prevailed due to its deep ties to Delaware's history.^[2] State representatives in the Delaware General Assembly actively promoted the Blue Hen by emphasizing its association with Revolutionary War soldiers from Kent County, who were nicknamed the "Fighting Cocks" or "Blue Hen's Chickens" after the breed's reputed ferocity in cockfighting, mirroring the troops' bravery.^[1] This historical connection, dating back to Captain Jonathan Caldwell's militia company, helped build legislative support for the bird as a fitting emblem of Delaware's resilient spirit.^[2] On April 14, 1939, the Delaware General Assembly enacted Chapter 128, officially designating the Blue Hen Chicken as the state bird through a formal legislative process that formalized its unofficial status in political and cultural motifs.^[3] The adoption reflected a consensus among lawmakers to honor the breed's unique role in state identity, surpassing the cardinal in the selection.^[2]

Symbolic Meaning

The Delaware Blue Hen symbolizes the state's Revolutionary War valor and fighting spirit, originating from the nickname given to soldiers in Captain Jonathan Caldwell's company of the Delaware Regiment, who were renowned for their bravery and likened to the tenacious gamecocks he kept for cockfighting.^[3]^[1]^[21] These chickens, with their bluish-gray plumage and aggressive demeanor, inspired the troops to be called the "Blue Hen's Chickens" or "Sons of the Blue Hen," embodying the resilience and ferocity of Delaware's early defenders during the conflict.^[7]^[3] This historical legacy extends to the University of Delaware, where the "Fightin' Blue Hens" mascot was adopted in 1911, honoring the regiment's legacy through the university's yearbook titled The Blue Hen and later in athletic programs.^[7]^[21] The mascot, including the costumed character YoUDee introduced in 1993, represents institutional pride and the enduring fighting spirit tied to the state's founding ethos.^[7] Beyond academia, the Blue Hen features prominently in state emblems and events as a metaphor for Delaware's resilience, appearing in political campaigns, publications, and Civil War iconography to evoke tenacity and state identity.^[1]^[3] Often called the "Blue Hen State," it underscores Delaware's heritage of overcoming adversity, from wartime battles to modern cultural celebrations.^[1]^[3]

Modern Usage and Conservation

Preservation Efforts

The Delaware Blue Hen is not recognized as an official breed or variety by the American Poultry Association (APA), which acknowledges the broader Delaware chicken but not the specific blue-plumaged strain derived from gamecock lines.^[27] This lack of formal standardization increases the risk of genetic dilution through unintentional hybridization with commercial poultry strains, such as the more prevalent white-feathered Delawares optimized for meat production.^[28] Dedicated breeders counteract this by selectively mating birds to maintain the distinctive steel-blue plumage, noting that offspring from two blue parents typically yield only 50% blue-feathered chicks, with the remainder appearing black or white, necessitating ongoing culling and line breeding to preserve purity.^[29] The University of Delaware's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has played a pivotal role in these efforts since the 1960s, when S. Hallock du Pont donated foundational birds to establish a dedicated flock for educational and research purposes.^[30] This program, housed in the university's Poultry Research and Teaching Facilities, maintains what is believed to be the largest known breeding population of Blue Hens, with birds selectively bred for their vibrant blue coloration and used to support university mascots, outreach events, and studies in avian genetics.^[29] State agricultural groups, including Delaware 4-H chapters and the Delaware Department of Agriculture, have bolstered promotion through youth education programs and heritage breed showcases, such as the university's ongoing 4-H embryology project that has engaged over 42,000 participants in chick-rearing activities as of 2025.^[31] The Delaware Blue Hen remains a rare strain, primarily confined to specialized flocks in the United States, particularly in Delaware. Conservation focuses on avoiding crossbreeding with high-yield commercial lines like the Cornish Cross, which have overshadowed heritage types, through targeted propagation by universities and heritage poultry enthusiasts to prevent further decline.^[32]

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