If you are exploring the hobby of keeping chickens, few breeds have the appeal of the Rhode Island Red. Rhode Island Red hens are great for both meat and eggs, and are fairly docile in temperament, making them a great choice as a project for children. Healthy and vibrant in hue, these are some of the more attractive of the barn yard fowl, and the Rhode Island Red rooster is what most of us imagine when the word “rooster” comes to mind.
Though it may come as no surprise that the Rhode Island Red chicken is the state bird of Rhode Island, few may know that this is a dual purpose 
laying breed, meaning if you get fed up with trying to raise eggs you can always change gears. I promise you that when raising chickens, unless of course you are only keeping one or two as yard pets, that this will be a valuable asset to owning this breed. At some point most of us end up with more roosters than we need, and it is far kinder to make edible use of them than it is to let them harass each other to death in your yard or barn.
Colors Allowed and General Appearance
Another no brainer, the Rhode Island Red hen and rooster are both an even rust red color. Males sport large green feathers off the tail, which makes them among the more attractive animals in the barn. Occasionally, one finds Rhode Island Red hens which are chocolate, maroon, or bordering on black. They are unusual and like their normal counterparts sport red orange eyes, bright red combs, yellow legs, and a glossy iridescence which cannot be missed. Adults may also sport white ticking on the body or stripes on their scaly legs. Cocks will weigh around
eight or so pounds and hens will come in around six or seven. They are single combed and have four toes.
Rhode Island Red History
Rhode Island Reds come from Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and have been making our breakfast worth having for a long time. They are hardy birds, and have to be, with roots in the northeast, and are better off than some others in the rougher climate. The Rhode Island Red Club of America wasn’t officially started until 1898, and though one might assume it was started in Rhode Island, it was in fact started in Massachusetts. They hold the official standard for the breed and are especially helpful in starting out newcomers to the world of dual-purpose chickens. They work very hard to ensure that Rhode Island red chickens continue to be a quality staple for theAmerican table and those who wish to pursue chicken farming are well advised to start there.
S
imilar Breeds of Chicken
If you like the idea of mildnmannered dual purpose chickens but maybe want something different from the Rhode Island Red Hen, consider instead (or maybe as well as) the Bar Rock Hen. Mild animals who are great layers, I had great luck with these animals myself. They are endearing and attractive, and maybe a little better concealed with their spotted plumage. Great for children and families, so kind were mine that I was never tempted to process them for meat, instead allowing them to retire from eggs and just enjoy the yard at their leisure. Those new to chickens will defiantly appreciate how easy to get on with these birds are and I feel that they are some of the best layers, though it bears mentioning that my definition of “great layer” is firstly a hen that doesn’t peck your wrist off when you go for the eggs every morning…
Care of Rhode Island Red Chicks and Hens
Never keep too many roosters,that is the most important thing to remember. Like all others, Rhode Island Red roosters will take each other apart at every opportunity, so never free range more than one at a time. I am a big fan of large clean coops, and ones with a cement floor can be spray clean weekly and bleached out twice a year with ease. Poultry are serious carriers of salmonella, and sanitation is important for both fowl and farmer. Each animal should have its own nesting box and also a community roost, they will really appreciate having this even though they are flightless birds, and will lay better for it. Clean food in abundance is a must also, no meat or egg chicken will be worth a darn if they aren’treceiving enough quality nutrition and the Rhode Island Reds are no exception to the rule. Never feed a moldy or damp feed, and avoid any that has been contaminated by vermin like rats and rodents. Rhode Island Red hens will lay in the boxes, and other set ups will be needed for Rhode Island Red chicks if you wish to raise your own.
Like all farmyard Chickens, the genus for the Rhode Island
Red is Gallus Domesticus, Genus and Species for you smarty pants out there.
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