Founding Flocks, Part 7: The Delaware

7 Classic American Chicken Breeds to Raise for America’s 250th Birthday

FlockJourney America 250 Series, Part 7: The Delaware, the newest breed in the lineup, named for the first state of all

Top 3 Takeaways

  • The youngest breed on our list is named for the oldest state Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, which is why it is still called the First State The breed that carries its name arrived much later, developed in 1940 by George Ellis, and it is the newest bird in our All-American lineup
  • It lays more eggs than any other breed in this

California Grey: An Unusual and Fun Hybrid Breed

Want to try an amazingly productive yet unusual chicken with a fascinating history?

The California Grey might be just right

What Makes California Grey Chickens Unique?

California Grey’s are oddballs Most families tending backyard flocks prefer brown egg laying, large bodied breeds and hybrids California Grey’s look like Barred Rocks with the distinctive barred feather pattern that gives them a name shared by a common night bird, the Barred Owl Some poultry fanciers call the color pattern “cuckoo”

Glance at a California Grey hen and it would be easy to assume it’s a slimmed down


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