Flock Insider: Rhode Island Red Chickens
- Rachelle Shepherd
- May 13, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 23, 2023
An American heritage breed that has stood the test of time.
Best egg layers, reliable layers of brown eggs, good free rangers and great personalities! What more could you ask for?
Rhode Island Reds (RIRs or "Rhodies") are an original American heritage breed that traces its roots back to the 1800s. It was used then as a reliable layer and is also a decent table bird. Plus, it is very kid and backyard friendly!
Rhode Island Reds were an extremely popular breed in the late 1800s and early 1900s in America. In fact, in the early 19th century, almost every American farm and home had a couple of these guys running around their backyards! They have proven for well over a century that they are a reliable layer, healthy, hardy and robust chickens. RIRs have been and still are a top pick by many chicken enthusiasts as you can expect 300 or more eggs from these beauties a year! They are very cold hardy birds, making them a great choice for those in northern climates. Rhodies also are fun to have around and are just silly birds in general!
There are actually two types of Rhode Island Reds - the industrial and the heritage. Although the industrial resembles and acts like a RIR, it performs at a much higher level and grows quicker. The industrial version, purchased from most feed and supply stores, potentially could lay 300 light brown eggs a year. They grow out between four and five months old whereas the heritage will take longer as they have not been changed for production.
If you are interested in getting into heritage breeds. this is a great choice because the heritage version is in the "Watch" stage by The Livestock Conservancy. This means that we should be focusing on saving this wonderful breed and producing more of them for future generations to enjoy. See the link below if you would like more information above this wonderful heritage breed.
Steady Egg Layers
If you want a regular supply of light brown medium to large eggs, RIRs are a great pick! During the spring and summer months, you can count on getting an egg out of your Rhodie almost every day. They love their little nest box, so be sure to give them a few to choose from because she will fill it on up for you! Rhode Islands are cold hardy so they generally continue to produce eggs in the winter, especially if you're able to trigger their light sensitivity by setting up lighting in your barn. Plus, their eggs are delicious! Last year, we had more "Easter eggs" than we knew what to do with thanks to our two Rhode Island Reds, two Black Sex Links and a couple Orpingtons. Look at our haul of eggs - that was under two weeks worth!
Attractive Bird
You must admit, when you look at a Rhode Island Red, you think they are a beautiful bird. Unlike our ISA Browns or Novogens, these guys are a deep, rich red color. The heritage version is almost a deep, mahogany red coloring and are just beautiful chickens. Roosters have large tail feathers with red and black streams of feathers. They should be quite upright and walk high with a high pronounced tail. There is not much color differences between rooster or hen, but the tail and the crown should easily convince you he is a boy.
They also are on the larger end of the laying birds, which is why they work well as a dual purpose bird if you choose to use them in this way. Hens can be 6 to 8 pounds sometimes, and roos weigh even more. Plus Rhodie roos are great at crowing! They do it pretty often for practice. So if you live in the city and end up with a cockerel, I do not recommend trying to keep him. They will notice!
On the flip side, the girls are fairly quiet other than their light clucking as they speak to you or their buddies. Mine have never done much of an egg song or tried to leave the yard or anything of that nature. They are often recommended for newbies as they are friendly, reliable, healthy and easy going chickens that don't complain much to you. If you throw them some feed and let them free range, they will be happy chicks!
Personality Plus
Our first flock of chicks included two Rhode Island Reds which we dubbed, "Red" and "Queen," courtesy of our young daughters. Red ended up being my personal favorite chicken so far. She loved to be pet and picked up by both me and the kids. She would allow our then five and six year old daughters to pick her up and hold her for a while. At times, she would actually demand to be held by jumping at your feet and flapping and holding her wings like a baby chick! She was quite the character of a chicken and was a huge part of why we really fell in love with this wonderful animal in general. I think we will always have a couple RIRs in our flock.
Rhodies are social, dominant, sometimes brood hens. The roosters can be both nice or extremely mean. I have heard horror stories along with amazing stories about RIR roosters and how well they take care of their girls.
Top of the Flock
It should be noted that while we have quite enjoyed the success of having our Rhode Island Reds in the flock, some people have reported that they are too dominant for them. RIRs do tend to be at the head of the hierarchy in general. If you have a mixed flock, you can count on them as being one of the leaders in the pecking order. When you bring in younger chicks to introduce them to the flock, if you already have Rhode Islands, you will probably need to be outside for intervention during their first few uncaged interactions. However, that will be with all older chickens.
Rhode Island Reds do not allow themselves to be picked on once they are older. Some chickens and breeds are more submissive and allow the "pecking" to happen. Rhode Islands will not be "pecked." They are quick to correct this behavior so that others understand their ranking. I have not personally had one that was a bully, per se, but they do assert themselves with the younger chicks to let them know where they stand.
An Overall Great Choice
Rhode Island Reds are a great pick for many people in many situations. They do well in both free range and confined situations and they are not too noisy for city people. Rhode Islands are a good table bird, a consistent layer and they get along great with kids and other pets. Many become pets themselves and love to be handled and held. Some will come for treats or learn different tricks to get your attention. They are smart and they do not casually accept their ranking in the hierarchy or the gimmicks of new chicks.
Rhodies do well in the cold, northern climates and actually have a harder time in the heat than the cold! They are an independent bird, if need be, and are content to scratch around outside looking for bugs all day. They are sure to help you catch some critters!
If you are searching for a bird that will consistently give you large eggs, you cannot go wrong with the all original Rhode Island Red.
Please leave your comments or suggestions below! I would love to know your experience with different breeds so let me know what you think.
#RhodeIslandRed #Rhodies #RhodeIslands #RIR #HeritageBreeds #HeritageBreed #AmericanHeritageBreed #BrownEggs #EggLayer #DualPurpose #MeatBreeds #OriginalBreeds
References
Arcuri, L. (March 9, 2023) Chicken Breeds: Rhode Island Red, The Spruce, https://www.thespruce.com/chicken-breeds-rhode-island-red-3016554
Murray McMurray Hatchery (1998-2023) Rhode Island Red, Murray McMurray Hatchery, https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/rhode_island_reds.html
Smith, K. (June 30, 2020) 5 Reasons to Love Rhode Island Red Chickens, Backyard Chicken Coops, https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/blogs/learning-centre/5-reasons-to-love-rhode-island-red-chickens
The Livestock Conservancy (2020) Rhode Island Red - Non Industrial Chicken, The Livestock Conservancy, https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/rhode-island-red-chicken/
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