Developed in 1940 by George Ellis of Delaware, these hardy birds make an excellent dual-purpose bird to add to any flock. This breed matures quickly, and the hens will lay approximately 260-large brown eggs a year. They are a calm but not overly friendly bird. The Delaware breed does well in free-range environments and should be kept in mind when selecting birds for your backyard or farm. This breed also tends to be calm and docile. Adults have white plumage, with some black barring on the feather ends of their hackles. Delaware chicks have yellow down feathers with gray on their heads and wings. They also have orange featherless legs.