Claire Thompson
Each of the 50 states in the United States has an official state bird, chosen to represent the unique character and heritage of its region. Interestingly, the state of Delaware has chosen a chicken, the Blue Hen Chicken, as its official state bird. The Blue Hen Chicken was designated as Delaware's state bird in 1939. Additionally, Rhode Island also recognizes a chicken as its state bird, the Rhode Island Red Chicken, which was elected in 1954.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State | Delaware, Rhode Island |
| Date of adoption | 14 April 1939, 1954 |
| Local name | Blue Hen Chicken, Rhode Island Red Chicken |
| Origin | Blue Hens are not an officially recognized breed, bred and named for the steel-blue coloring of their feathers. The Rhode Island Red is a domestic chicken breed developed in the state in 1854 for egg production. |
| Egg production | One Rhode Island Red hen can produce 200-300 eggs per year |
| Symbolism | The Blue Hen Chicken holds a special place in the history and folklore of the First State and is known for its fighting spirit. The Rhode Island Red has become a symbol of Rhode Islanders all over the world. |
| Related state institutions | The Blue Hen Chicken is the emblem or mascot of several institutions in the state, including the sports teams of the University of Delaware, the 166th Airlift Wing, and its 142nd Airlift Squadron. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Delaware's state bird
The state of Delaware has the Blue Hen Chicken as its official state bird. The Blue Hen Chicken was designated as the official state bird of Delaware on April 14, 1939. The history of this symbol goes back to the Revolutionary War. During the war, the men of Captain Jonathan Caldwell's company, recruited in Kent County, took with them game chickens that were said to be from a famous Blue Hen. These chickens were known for their fighting ability, and the men also came to be known as "Blue Hen's Chickens" or "Sons of the Blue Hen". The Blue Hen became a popular symbol and was used in political campaigns and publications.
The Blue Hen Chicken is not a recognized chicken breed. They are bred and named for the steel-blue coloring of their feathers. The University of Delaware's athletic teams are nicknamed "the fightin' Blue Hens", and the university maintains a flock of Blue Hen Chickens. The Blue Hen is also the emblem or mascot of several other institutions in the state.
Rhode Island also recognizes a chicken as its state bird, the Rhode Island Red Chicken, which was elected as the state bird in 1954.
White House Chickens: Up Close and Personal
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Rhode Island's state bird
The Rhode Island Red Chicken, also known as the "Rhode Island Red", is the official state bird of Rhode Island. It was elected as the state bird in 1954, almost a century after the breed was first developed in the state in 1854. The Rhode Island Red is one of only two domestic poultry breeds honoured as state birds, the other being the Blue Hen Chicken, which is the state bird of Delaware.
The Rhode Island Red is known for its lustrous deep red to almost black plumage, with a mostly black tail. The comb may be either single or rose-comb, always a vivid red, matching the earlobes and wattles. The beak is a reddish horn colour, the eyes are reddish bay, and the feet and legs are yellow, often with some red on the toes and sides of the shanks. Rhode Island Reds were originally developed as a dual-purpose breed, providing both meat and eggs. Since 1940, however, they have been predominantly bred for egg-laying qualities, with one Rhode Island Red hen capable of producing 200-300 eggs per year.
The Rhode Island Red Monument was raised in Little Compton, Rhode Island, in 1954 to celebrate the centenary of the breed. The name of the breed is believed to have been ascribed by either Isaac Champlin Wilbour of Little Compton or a Mr. Jenny of the Southern Massachusetts Poultry Association in the late 1870s or early 1880s. The first breed standard was drawn up in 1898 and was approved by the American Rhode Island Red Club in Boston in 1901.
The Rhode Island Red holds a special place in the culture and history of the state, as evidenced by Governor Dennis J. Robers' remark upon signing the official bill into law: "The Rhode Island red has become a symbol of Rhode Islanders all over the world." The Rhode Island Red is a source of state pride and recognition, and its selection as the state bird reflects the unique characteristics and heritage of Rhode Island.
Caring for Newly Hatched Chicks: Essential Steps
You may want to see also
Explore related products
New Hampshire's state bird
The U.S. state of New Hampshire has the purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus) as its official state bird. The purple finch was designated as the state bird in 1957, following a vote by the state legislature. The bill to make the purple finch the state bird was sponsored by Rep. Robert S. Monahan of Hanover and was supported by the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, and the State Federation of Women's Clubs.
The purple finch replaced the New Hampshire hen as the state bird. The New Hampshire hen had been proposed by Rep. Doris M. Spollett of Hampstead, who was a veteran legislator, mail carrier, and breeder of prize goats. She had first proposed the New Hampshire hen as the state bird eight years earlier while serving in the Senate but was ultimately unsuccessful.
The purple finch is a small, colourful bird with a reddish-purple plumage and a long tail. It is native to North America and is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and urban areas. The male purple finches have brighter plumage than the females, and both sexes have a short, thick bill and a small crest.
The selection of the purple finch as New Hampshire's state bird reflects the state's natural beauty and the importance of its outdoor spaces. The purple finch is a beloved symbol of the state and can often be spotted in backyards, parks, and wild areas across New Hampshire.
Chicken Bowl Carbs: How Many Are in Chipotle's?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Domestic chicken breeds
The domestic chicken has been widely bred by humans for centuries, and today there are 93 standard breeds recognised. Chickens can be bred for meat, eggs, or both, and some breeds are better suited to commercial-scale meat and egg production than others.
Sussex Chickens
Sussex chickens are a good breed for small farms or homesteads, being active and good for both meat and eggs. They lay around 250 light brown eggs each year, and come in three colour varieties: speckled, red, and light.
Orpington Chickens
Buff Orpingtons are an English breed recognised in 1902, known for their golden plumage and gentle nature. They are dual-purpose chickens, good for both eggs and meat, and their broody nature makes them ideal for family farms. The Lavender Orpington is a rare, gentle breed with light blue plumage, which is also good for family farms. They lay 175-200 light brown eggs annually.
Wyandotte Chickens
The Black Laced Red Wyandotte is a dual-purpose chicken known for its rich red feathers laced with slate blue. They are good for eggs and meat and thrive in any environment. The Black Laced Gold Wyandotte, originating in Wisconsin in the 1880s, is known for its striking black-laced golden feathers and gentle temperament. They lay 180-260 brown eggs annually and thrive in various climates. The Black Laced Silver Wyandotte is another gentle, hardy chicken with black-laced silvery white feathers. They are good mothers and thrive in various environments, laying medium to large eggs.
Rhode Island Red Chickens
The Rhode Island Red was elected the state bird of Rhode Island in 1954. They are a top choice for brown egg production and backyard flocks, being resilient and prolific.
Minorca Chickens
Minorca chickens are a Mediterranean breed and are the largest fowl from this region. They have greenish-black glossy plumage and very large, bright red combs and wattles. They are excellent layers of large white eggs and are very hardy, taking well to free-range conditions.
Other Breeds
Other chicken breeds include the Blue Hen, which was designated the official state bird of Delaware in 1939; the Bresse chicken, which is coloured like the French flag with a red comb, white body, and blue legs; and the Easter Egger chicken, which is known for its colourful eggs ranging from pale blue to green.
Delicious Embryo: The Chicken Fetus Dish
You may want to see also
Explore related products
State bird history
The selection of state birds in the US began with Kentucky, which adopted the northern cardinal as its state bird in 1926. The trend continued when the legislatures for Alabama, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, and Wyoming selected their state birds after a campaign was started by the General Federation of Women's Clubs to name official state birds in the 1920s. The last state to choose its bird was Arizona in 1973. Interestingly, Pennsylvania never chose an official state bird, but it did select the ruffed grouse as its state game bird.
The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven states, followed by the western meadowlark as the state bird of six. Some states have unique state birds, such as Minnesota's common loon and New Mexico's greater roadrunner, while others share a state bird. For example, the American robin is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The blue hen chicken was designated the official state bird of Delaware in 1939. The history of this symbol goes back to the Revolutionary War. "Blue Hens" are not an officially recognized breed; they are bred and named for the steel-blue coloring of their feathers. Rhode Island also recognizes a chicken as its state bird, the Rhode Island Red, which was elected in 1954.
Some states have chosen a state game bird (or state wild game bird), a state waterfowl (or state duck), a state raptor, or a bird as their state symbol of peace. For example, the western meadowlark is Oregon's state songbird, and the osprey is its official state raptor. The ring-necked pheasant is South Dakota's state bird, and the Guam rail, or ko’ko’, is the most recently added state bird, named by the U.S. territory of Guam in 2000.
Smart Strategies to Maximize Meals from a 5-Pound Chicken
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Delaware.
The Blue Hen Chicken is a blue strain of American gamecock. The breed dates back to 1775 and is said to have been brought to the Revolutionary War by the men of the 2nd company of the First Delaware Regiment. The birds were known for their fighting ability, and the men became known as "Blue Hen's Chickens".
Delaware adopted the Blue Hen Chicken as its state bird on April 14, 1939.
The Rhode Island Red Chicken, also known as the Rhode Island Red, was elected as the state bird of Rhode Island in 1954.
The Rhode Island Red Chicken is a domestic chicken breed developed in Rhode Island in 1854 for egg production. One hen can produce 200-300 eggs per year.
