Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Reds are named after the state they were
developed in the late 1800s. The bird was given recognition as the state bird
of Rhode Island in 1954. Unlike other birds it was not developed for show
purposes. The Rhode Island poultry farmers developed this bird in the 1830s as
a good production bird that has excellent egg laying abilities and has a meaty
frame. They were developed by crossing the Brown Leghorns with Cochins and
Brahmas as well as the Red Malays. The Rhode Island Red is one of the best
dual-purpose breeds and a super choice for back yard flocks. They do well in
confinement and if free range environments. Hens lay large brown eggs but rarely
go broody. Hens are docile but roosters can be very aggressive.
The White Rhode Island is a separate breed from the Red. The
White was developed by John Jocoy, a poultry farmer from Peacedale, Rhode
Island, in 1888. He crossed Partridge Rock with White Wyandotte, Rose comb
White Leghorn to get a dual-purpose bird. The White has never been as popular
as the Red, though it is a good barn yard bird. The white Rhode Island is
crossed with the Rhode Island Red to get the Red Sexlink which is a commercial
egg layer of brown eggs. Females are red with a white under color, males are
white.
Roosters can weigh up to 8.5 pounds and Hens around 6.5. They
have both single combs and rose combs with medium size wattles and earlobes.
