Guest Author - Lisa Shea

The Blue Hen Chicken has been the state bird of Delaware since 1939. This gorgeous chicken originally came from Kent County and was used in cockfights.

It was during the Revolutionary War that soldiers from Kent County brought along chickens for amusement during their down time. The fierceness of the chickens became the namesake for the tough-fighting troops, and a symbol throughout Delaware.

The Blue Hen Chicken isn't an actual breed. It's a random mutation that about half of baby chicks in that family have.

This rooster is tall with black legs and big black tail. The chest is grey. The mantle is yellow changing to red at the top of the head, with a bright red comb.

Note that cockfighting is now illegal in all of the US. This was a nasty sport where the birds would fight to the death, including adding metal claws to their feet.

State Bird Listing