The Blue Hen chicken was adopted as the official state bird of Delaware in 1939. The Blue Hen has a long and storied history connected to Delaware and is a source of state pride. Delaware is even nicknamed “The First State” and “The Blue Hen State” due to this official state symbol. So why was the Blue Hen chosen to represent the state of Delaware? There are a few key reasons:
Origins of the Blue Hen
The Blue Hen chicken breed originated in Delaware in the late 1700s. Blue Hens were bred for their prowess in cockfighting. Cockfighting was a popular colonial pastime and entertainment, and Delaware Blue Hens were known to be fierce competitors in the cockfighting pits. The breed was developed by mixing certain European breeds to create a bird that was large, solidly built, hardy, and aggressive. The Blue Hen could hold its own against much larger roosters and became renowned for its fighting abilities.
The name “Blue Hen” does not refer to the chicken’s color but rather to its fighting reputation. A Blue Hen was a chicken that never backed down from a fight. The breed was concentrated in Kent County, Delaware which became informally known as the “Blue Hen’s Chicken Country.” Cockfighting declined in popularity in the late 1700s, but Delaware’s association with the feisty Blue Hen remained.
Revolutionary War Heroics
The Blue Hen gained wider fame through its association with Revolutionary War soldiers from Delaware. The Delaware soldiers marched into battle carrying Blue Hens and other gamecocks with them as mascots. The roosters reminded the soldiers of home but also symbolized their fierce determination in fighting the British.
One story from the Revolutionary War exemplified the fighting spirit of the Blue Hen. At the Battle of Torrence’s Tavern in 1778, the Delaware soldiers found themselves running low on ammunition. Their commander, General John Caldwell, called for a retreat. Captain John Caldwell, the general’s son, refused to back down and said “No retreat!” The Delaware soldiers made a brave stand against the British without bullets by wielding their muskets as clubs. This became known as the “Battle of the Kegs” and showed the Delaware regiment’s tenacity.
The Delaware soldiers themselves proudly adopted the nickname “Blue Hen’s Chickens” and “Sons of the Blue Hen.” Accounts of their grit and valor in battle spread throughout the colonies and were a source of Delaware pride. Even after the war, Delawareans continued informally referring to themselves as the “Blue Hen State.”
Blue Hens in Politics
In the early 1800s, the Blue Hen remained ingrained in Delaware culture and took on political symbolism. Different political parties and factions adopted the Blue Hen as a mascot. Much like the Democrats use the donkey and Republicans use the elephant today, political groups rallied around the Blue Hen as their trademark.
For example, in the 1840 presidential election, the Democratic supporters of Martin Van Buren were dubbed the “Blue Hen’s Chickens.” This political slogan drew on Delaware’s established nickname to drum up support for Van Buren. Opposing Whig supporters tried to spin off nicknames like “Blue Clay’s Chickens” or “Young Gamecocks” but none stuck like the original Blue Hen. The Blue Hen had solidly become a unique Delaware emblem.
Official State Bird
The Blue Hen chicken was first proposed as the state bird in the early 1900s alongside the peach blossom as the state flower. Both symbols spoke to Delaware’s heritage. But it took several decades for the state symbols to be made official.
In 1939, Delaware schoolchildren participated in a statewide vote to pick the state bird and state flower. The Blue Hen won the vote for state bird while the peach blossom won for state flower. The children’s vote echoed Delaware’s historic nickname and cemented the Blue Hen as an official state symbol.
Later that year, the Delaware General Assembly passed a resolution confirming the Blue Hen chicken as the official Delaware state bird. No other state has the Blue Hen as their bird. And Delaware’s state pride in the scrappy Blue Hen persists today.
Blue Hen Qualities
So what qualities does the Blue Hen possess that make it so fitting as a symbol of the state?
Tenacity. As shown in cockfighting and war, Blue Hens demonstrate remarkable fighting spirit and refusal to back down from challenges. This tenacity represents Delawareans’ shared grit and determination.
Uniqueness. The Blue Hen chicken originated in Delaware and has an intrinsically tied history to the state dating back over 200 years. No other state has such a claim or bond with the Blue Hen.
Underdog mentality. Though small in size, Blue Hens take on battles against bigger opponents. Delaware is the second smallest state by area and has embraced the underdog mentality.
Courage. Blue Hens have an innate courage to face dangers head-on. Delaware soldiers in the Revolutionary War embodied courage in their actions and camaraderie.
Heritage. The Blue Hen honors Delaware’s agricultural roots with the chicken breed tracing back to colonial cockfighting pits and farms.
Blue Hen Today
The Blue Hen continues to thrive as a state symbol:
– The University of Delaware athletic teams are nicknamed “The Fightin’ Blue Hens” in honor of the past. All the school’s mascots are based on the Blue Hen.
– Images of Blue Hens appear on Delaware’s state quarter coin, state license plates, flags, souvenirs, and more.
– Blue Hen statues stand in Delaware cities of Wilmington, Dover, Newark, and Georgetown as public art.
– Blazoned on a Branded Lager, the Blue Hen Ale is a beer by Delaware’s Dogfish Head brewery. The beer pays tribute to the Blue Hen’s history.
– Each year, the Delaware Secretary of Agriculture presents the Blue Hen Award to honor Delawareans who have made a significant contribution to agriculture.
The Blue Hen is an integral part of Delaware identity and will likely remain a cherished state symbol for centuries to come. Its fighting spirit encapsulates small but mighty Delaware.
Key Facts
Year adopted as state bird | 1939 |
Vote to select state bird | Children’s vote in 1939 |
Originated in | Delaware, late 1700s |
Developed for | Cockfighting |
Nicknames | “Blue Hen’s Chickens”, “Sons of the Blue Hen” |
Revolutionary War | Mascot of Delaware soldiers |
Qualities | Tenacity, uniqueness, underdog mentality, courage, heritage |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Blue Hen chicken was selected and cemented as the state bird of Delaware due to its history in the state spanning back to the colonial era. The Blue Hen breed originated in Delaware and became renowned for its prowess in cockfighting pits. During the Revolutionary War, Delaware soldiers carried Blue Hens as mascots and embraced the nickname “Blue Hen’s Chickens” themselves. In politics, the Blue Hen was adopted as a slogan. And in 1939, Delaware schoolchildren voted to make the feisty Blue Hen the official state bird. The Blue Hen encapsulates the grit, determination, and pioneer spirit of the state. Through cockfighting, war, politics, and popular vote, the Blue Hen triumphed as a fitting symbol for the First State.