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The Blue Hen chicken is Delaware’s state bird due to its association with the state’s soldiers during the Revolutionary War. The bird was popular in the state and was already used in political posters and memorabilia. The breed was developed by Captain Jonathan Caldwell, and the fighting prowess of the birds was compared to Delaware soldiers. The Blue Hen rooster has blue and gray feathers on its underbelly and a traditional red comb and wattle.
Delaware’s state bird is the blue hen chicken. The use of this bird as a state representative is based on some historical records and state legends regarding the reputation of Delaware soldiers during the Revolutionary War. This bird was often associated with cockfighting, and the strength and ferocity of Delaware soldiers on the battlefield has supposedly been compared to birds fighting in rings.
This domestic chicken became the official state bird of Delaware on April 14, 1939. It was already popular throughout the state in a variety of publicity materials, such as political posters and state memorabilia. This decision by the Delaware General Assembly came as a surprise to members of the State Federation of Delaware Women’s Clubs, who had previously recommended Cardinal Scarlet. The Blue Hen chicken is not technically a recognized bird breed, nor is it particularly indigenous to the state.
The origin of the use of the blue hen as Delaware’s state bird is supposed to have begun during the Revolutionary War. The men of that state are believed to have brought several blue hens with them from home as they traveled between battles. The men would then pit these birds against each other in cockfights to ease the tensions of warfare that surrounded them. These birds were said to be descended from a famous blue hen that lived in Kent County, Delaware, and their prowess and ferocity in the fighting arena were unmatched.
Some stories name the owner of these birds as Captain Jonathan Caldwell, a resident of County Kent. Various historical documents refer to his fame as a breeder of hunting cocks. He is thought to have honed the Blue Hen breed of chicken and that this particular gamecock fought more ferociously in the ring than most other types of chicken.
When the men of the Delaware fought in battle, they were soon compared to their fighting blue hens. They were fierce and fearless, just like the birds they displayed for sport and entertainment. The confrontation between that state’s fighters and their ferocious fighting birds became a source of pride for Delaware citizens.
The Blue Hen rooster, which is typically described as the state bird of Delaware, displays an underbelly of soft blue or gray feathers. The plumage on the back is dark in color, often appearing black and ending in a light blue tail. His head is topped with a traditional red comb and wattle.
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