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Revision as of 18:15, 21 June 2011 by SightWatcher (talk | contribs) (Feel it is highly improper for the link to Rhode Island be put in the name of the bird. Feel it is best to link Rhode Island's article during the sentence that says they are RI)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Rhode Island Red" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 A Rhode Island Red Hen | |
| Conservation status | Recovering |
|---|---|
| Other names | Rhode Islands |
| Nicknames | RIR |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
|
| Skin color | Yellow |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Comb type | Single |
| Classification | |
| APA | Recognized by the APA |
| Notes | |
| Dual purpose layer breed | |
| |
The Rhode Island Red is a breed of chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). They are a utility bird, raised for meat and eggs, and also as show birds. They are a popular choice for backyard flocks because of their egg laying abilities and hardiness. Non-industrial strains of the Rhode Island Red are listed as recovering by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. It is the state bird of Rhode Island. Three vital variations appeared to have had the largest impact around the Rhode Island Red: Asiatics, Game, and Mediterranean.
Appearance
The bird's feathers are rust-colored, but darker shades are known, including maroon bordering on black. Their eyes are red-orange and they have yellow feet, with reddish-brown beaks. Chicks are a light red to tan color with two dark brown bars running down their backs. The Roosters usually weigh in at 8.5 pounds (3.9 kg), the Hens slightly less at 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg), cockerel at 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg), and pullets at 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg).
History
Developed in Rhode Island & Massachusetts, early flocks often had both single and rose combed individuals because of the influence of Malay blood. It was from the Malay that the Rhode Island Red got its deep color, strong constitution, and relatively hard feathers.
The Rhode Island Red was originally bred in Adamsville, a village which is part of Little Compton, Rhode Island. One of the foundation sires of the breed was a black-breasted red Malay cock which was imported from England. This cock is on display at the Smithsonian Institution as the father of the Rhode Island Red breed.
In 1925, the Rhode Island Red Club of America donated funds for an elegant monument to the Rhode Island Red in Adamsville, near the baseball field and across the street from what used to be Abraham Manchester's restaurant. (The monument is now on the National Register of Historic Places.) A competing monument to the Rhode Island Red, claiming its creation not for the poultry fanciers, but for the farmers who grew them commercially in great numbers in Little Compton, was erected by the state in 1954 a mile or so (about two kilometers) south of Adamsville.
Rhode Island Reds and Sussex are also used for many modern hybrid breeds. Many modern hybrid hens have Rhode Island Red fathers, mainly due to the prolific egg laying characteristic of the Rhode Island Red, which is passed down through the males. Rhode Island Reds cocks were hybridised with Black Shumen chicken and Starozagorska red chicken.
Characteristics
The Reds are friendly chickens with a good nature. They are very good pets for children, but they can get aggressive when annoyed(especially in roosters).
Rhode Island Reds are tough birds, resistant to illness, good at foraging and free ranging, and typically docile, quiet, and friendly. Although they are widely known as good layers through cold periods, if the coop temperature drops below freezing (0 °C (32 °F)), their output drops considerably, and the tips of their combs become very susceptible to frostbite.
Although usually friendly, Rhode Island Red roosters, and sometimes hens, can be quite aggressive towards young children and adults. Most roosters will also attack strangers (humans or animals) if they feel nervous or have never seen the intruder. They are usually friendlier with familiar people, such as those responsible for feeding. Both hens and roosters are known to be aggressive with other chickens, especially in confinement.Rhode Island Red roosters have been known to kill intruding foxes or dogs.
Even though they can have an aggressive nature, if raised properly and lovingly, they can be quite loving. They will come when called or when they can see their owner and will walk with him/her just as a dog would. It has even been reported that one Rhode Island Red hen was a "lap chicken", who would walk over and climb into the lap of their owner who was sitting in the grass. These chickens care for each other as well, and often stay in a group.
Eggs
Frequent layers, Rhode Island Reds are noted for their brown eggs. Although they can sometimes be stubborn, they can end up producing up to 200 eggs a year but a healthy one can lay more. When free ranged, their first year eggs can be too large to fit comfortably in standard or medium egg cartons. Nice hens can lay up to 6-7 eggs per week depending on their care and treatment. Rhode Island Red hens lay many more eggs than an average hen if provided plenty of quality poultry feed.
In popular culture
In the 2000 animated film Chicken Run the character of Rocky is a Rhode Island Red rooster.
References
- http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/poultry/chickens/rhodeislandred/index.htm
- http://www.50states.com/bird/rired.htm
- http://rhodeislandredchickens.net/rhode-island-red-chickens-traditions-poultry-types-2/
- http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/poultry/chickens/rhodeislandred/
- http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/poultry/chickens/rhodeislandred/
- History of Black Shumen chicken
- Black Shumen chicken at Feathersite
Bibliography
- Raymond, Francine (2001). The Big Book of Garden Hens. Kitchen Garden Books, ISBN 0-9532857-3-1
- Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens: Care / Feeding / Facilities (Paperback)ISBN 978-1580173254