Delaware — Day-Old Chicks
Delaware — Day-Old Chicks
NPIP Certified Hatchery - License #51-770
- ~200 Eggs/Year
- Large–Jumbo Brown Eggs
- 18–20 Weeks to Lay
🐣 Next Available Hatch· July 28 · 50 Remaining
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📦 Learn how we carefully pack and ship your chicks →
The Delaware is a true American original — developed in the 1940s as the ideal dual-purpose farm bird, and still one of the best-kept secrets in backyard poultry. If you want a breed that lays prolifically, grows quickly, and is genuinely pleasant to be around, the Delaware delivers on all fronts.
Why backyard keepers love them:
- 🥚 200–280 large brown eggs per year — exceptional production for a heritage breed
- 🪶 Crisp white feathers with black barring on neck and tail — a clean, classic look that stands out in the yard
- 🐓 Friendly and calm — easy to handle, great for families and beginners
- ❄️ Cold-hardy and adaptable — handles a wide range of climates without fuss
- 🌿 True dual-purpose breed — fast-growing with excellent meat quality alongside strong egg production
What to expect from Chesapeake Hatchery chicks:
Our Delawares are selected from heritage stock for correct type, fast growth, and consistent laying. Chicks are vaccinated for Marek's Disease and backed by our live arrival guarantee. This is a rare breed — if you've been looking for a productive, friendly, and historically significant bird, the Delaware is it.
Weeks to first egg: 18–20 weeks
Egg size: Large
Egg color: Brown
A rare American heritage breed worth adding to any flock — reserve your spot today.
Breed specifications
Breed specifications
Chick care overview
Chick care overview
Brooder temperature: Start at 95°F for the first week, reducing by 5°F each week until fully feathered.
Food & water: Offer chick starter feed and fresh water immediately. Dip each chick's beak gently into the water on arrival to encourage drinking.
Hydration boost: We include hydration supplements in your shipment — add to water for the first 24–48 hours to help chicks recover from transit.
Space: Allow at least 0.5 sq ft per chick in the brooder for the first few weeks.
Watch for: Huddling under the heat source (too cold), panting or moving away from heat (too warm). Active, spread-out chicks are happy chicks.
For detailed care guides, visit our FAQs.
Shipping
Shipping
Your chicks ship in a USPS-approved live animal box designed specifically for safe poultry transport, complete with soft bedding, temperature control packing, and hydration supplements for the journey.
We take immeasurable care in every shipment — each box is packed with your flock's safe arrival as our top priority.
We ship USPS Priority Express only — the fastest available service, with live animal handling and typically overnight delivery.
Shipping Rates (flat rate, nationwide):
Up to 25 chicks — $57
Up to 50 chicks — $67
Up to 100 chicks — $77
Minimum order is 6 chicks for safe temperature regulation during transit.
Local Pickup — Wednesdays in Maryland
No shipping fee · No minimum order
Live Arrival Guarantee
We stand behind every shipment. In the rare event that any chicks do not survive transit, you will receive a full refund for those chicks — no questions asked.
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