Delawares

We are working to preserve one of our favourite rare heritage chicken breeds: the Delaware.

The Delaware was developed in the 1940s in the United States by a breeder trying to create an excellent bird for the table, and indeed the Delaware was the most popular broiler chicken in the US for a short time. Unfortunately for the Delaware, Cornish Cross broilers were developed in the late 1950s and have dominated the market for closed confinement, fast meat production ever since.

In the meantime, the Delaware’s fundamental dual-purpose traits have been recognized as perfect for the farm or homestead. The hens are terrific layers of large to jumbo light brown eggs–better than many heavy heritage breeds that we’ve raised over the years. They don’t tend to go broody, which makes them strong layers all summer. The roosters dress out at around 4lbs at 18-20 weeks, or over 5lbs at 22-24 weeks. Delawares have curious, funny, and friendly personalities and are always eager to forage and explore. Roosters are calm and dignified, and on alert for danger.

Chicks and hatching eggs are generally available for sale March through May.

$15/chick, unsexed; hatching eggs $60/doz

Note that Delawares can be bred to Rhode Island Red or other red chickens to produce a sex-linked chick.

Blue, Black, Splash Copper Marans

Marans are a popular French heritage breed known for their beautiful dark, dark brown eggs. But they are also a lovely breed to have in your flock! They have gentle, curious personalities and are very friendly. They have a reputation for being excellent mothers, though their level of broodiness varies. Their copper collar feathers glint in the sun, and we love the different patterns and hues of the Blue, Black, and Splash combinations.

Our Copper Marans have feathered legs, and are currently on the smaller side. We have lines from Briarwood poultry and are working on breeding for size and other conformation traits. In the meantime, these Marans are an excellent choice for the backyard flock. There’s nothing like those chocolate-brown eggs in the basket!

Chicks available March through May, $15/chick, unsexed. Hatching eggs (limited quantities) $60/doz.

Customers will receive a mix of Blue, Black and Splash chicks. Our 2021 breeding group is a Blue Copper Marans rooster over a mix of Blue, Black, and Splash hens.