My room was painted blue and yellow at my father’s house in Dover, Delaware. It was a tiny space, with minimal furniture. An intricate quilt made by my stepmother was spread across the bed. Everyday as I started my morning chores, I would pause and look at the fabric. There were strips covered with beautiful blue chickens. I was told that it was a Delaware themed quilt. Each fabric piece resembled something that belonged to the state’s history. My stepmother explained that this quilt theme was inspired by Delaware’s state bird, the Blue Hen.
I had NEVER heard of a real blue chicken. My six year-old mind was amazed. From that point forward, every time my family took a drive, I would peek out the car window with hopes of seeing a Blue Hen. When I told my father of my dream, he gave a hearty laugh. I was crushed when he told me that Blue Hen’s aren’t even a real breed of birds.
In part, he was correct.
The Blue Hen was named Delaware’s state bird on April 14, 1939. It is true. Blue Hens are not an official recognized breed of bird, but they do exist.
Image by backyardchickens.com
The Blue Hen has a long history intertwined with the state of Delaware. The story begins with cockfighting.
Cockfighting is an 6,000 year old sport that involves chickens… fighting. These birds are referred to as gamecocks, and are often pushed to the brink of death. In the United States, and many other parts of the world, cockfighting is illegal due to it’s cruel nature. However, certain cultures and religious sects still believe that the sport is a prominent part of their lifestyles. The practice was very common in the United States during the time period of the Revolutionary War.
Captain John Caldwell of Delaware raised a gamecock that was a victorious fighter. When heading off to war, the men of Caldwell’s company decided to bring the brood of the famous chicken. This earned them the nickname, “Sons of Blue Hen“.
From this point forward, the Blue Hen became a symbol closely related to Delaware’s history. The bird’s likeness is often used in political campaigns and publications all throughout the state. In recent times, institutions in the area hold a fondness for the Blue Hen. The University of Delaware paid tribute to the beloved animal by making it their mascot. The college has the largest collection of Blue Hens in the world. However, this modern Blue Hen is not exactly the same chicken that gained popularity in colonial times.
Image by britannica.com
Yes, Blue Hens are technically not a recognized species. The bird is a subject of cross-breeding that has been perfected over the course of two-hundred years. Recently, Blue Hens have been breed with birds like the Andalusian Chicken to enhance certain physical traits. There are still groups that try to keep the ‘true’ strain of the bird alive. These Delaware natives religiously protect the bloodline of their precious state bird.
Overall, Blue Hens are pretty cool. I still haven’t seen one, so here is my goal in life:
- Travel to Delaware.
- Drive along those old backroads.
- Find a Blue Hen.
- Die peacefully.