Chicken Coop Chatter©
RHODE ISLAND RED: Golden Red or Golden Buff as the Rhode Island breed was originally called was developed in the mid 19th century, in Rhode Island, where monuments have been erected to represent the small farm breeders and the state bird. It was not documented as having been exhibited until around 1879. Large numbers of the breed were developed as utility, dual purpose birds sometime before the breed had a broad audience. The birds were accepted to the American Poultry Association in 1904. The following year, a rose-combed variety was recognized to the Standard of Perfection.
It is believed that the Rhode Island Red breed was developed by three diverse types of breeds that genetically influenced the traits of the birds. Asiatic Cochins, Mediterranean Brahmas, and Asiatic Game birds known as the Malay. The Malay, widely bred in the United Kingdom was not popular in the United States, but evidence of its use in cross breeding shows in the deep red color, hard feathers and overall hardiness of the Rhode Island Red breed. Brown leghorns contributed the genetics for the widely acclaimed egg production, and suggestions of crosses with Java, Wyandotte and Cornish Game came into play in the development of the widely successful dual-purpose, Rhode Island Red breed in America, only seconded by the Barred Plymouth Rock.
Rhode Island Red's are what we think of when reading the story "The Little Red Hen" to our young children. The breed is long-lived, very hardy, adaptable to most conditions, friendly to docile personalities, excellent egg producers and fair meat, though bred mainly for it's high egg yield. As a meat bird, the stiff, heavy feathers, dark pin feathers when dressed and yellow skin; though good eating, and acceptable to the small farmer and homesteader, makes the breed less desired on the commercial market where other fast growing, white meat birds with finer feathering are used.
The modern day egg laying RIR has evolved over time to be smaller in body size and lighter in color, leaning toward a reddish buff, while emphasis on the darker reds to mahogany strains have been bred for the purpose of exhibition, though even the show birds have the good qualities inherent to the breed.
Rhode Island Reds are considered a sustainable heritage breed. The more traditional variety with single-comb is considered an endangered member of the breed, which is a medium to heavy bird, with the hens weighing 6 1/2 pounds and the roosters weighing 8 1/2 pounds. The body shape is rectangular to oblong, somewhat boxy shape and the hens lay up to 300 large, medium to dark brown eggs annually, starting at about 6 months old. It is believed the Rhode Island Red is the world's most widely distributed chicken breed; exported to many countries including Britain.
Chicks of the Rhode Island Red breed are a rusty brown shade, with dark brown bars down their backs. There is also a White variety of this breed, though it appears to be less popular than other white chicken breeds and less popular than the reddish varieties associated with the Rhode Island Red breed.
The Rhode Island Red breed is recovering largely due to backyard growers, small farmers and homesteaders because of the many attributes associated to the breed. The dual-purpose, hardiness, high yield egg production, somewhat docile personalities of the hens and ability to lay through winter climates continue to be the poultry of choice for beginner and seasoned farmers alike.
PLEASE NOTE: WE NO LONGER RAISE THE RHODE ISLAND REDS, HOWEVER THE INFORMATION IS USEFUL TO THOSE INTERESTED IN THIS BREED AND WILL REMAIN ON THE SITE.
We do pro-rate for less than one dozen, for those with small incubators. Email us at: [email protected]. Please put breed name in the subject line and quantity in the body of the email. You will need a current Paypal account (easy and quick to set up). Please add us to your address book so our mail does not go to your spam folder. Thank You for your interest in JFA fertile hatching eggs
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