Are You Rhode Island Red Chicken Savy?
You know…
That blaze of red feathers streaking across someone’s yard.
Can’t really miss them if you look hard enough at someone’s chicken flock, because they are so popular.
The Rhode Island Red Chicken And You
I have seen a lot of Rhode Island Red Chickens in my time and they seem to be one of the favourites amongst people who just want chickens as pets and chickens that lay eggs very well.
They are a heavier bird and I have found that they have a lovely disposition, so why would you not want a red chicken…
Have you seen their red feathers?
Why Are They Called “Rhode Island Reds” And Where Do They Come From?
This is actually one of the few chicken breeds whose name is in fact self-explanatory.
Rhode Island Reds were developed in Rhode Island, fancy that!
And these chickens have been Rhode Island’s state bird since 1954, and they are characterized by their distinctive rich red colour.
Told you about their red coloured feathers…
This chicken, like most other American breeds, was developed in the late 1800s as a utility bird, meaning it would be good both for eggs and meat.
Although the exact heritage of the Rhode Island Reds is unknown, this chicken breed was created by mixing different breeds of other chickens together.
How Long Do Rhode Island Red Chickens Live For?
As far as chickens go, these birds can live up to eight years, but you never know…
With the right care, they could live longer.
How Long Do They Lay Eggs For?
Like many hens, the Rhode Island Red Chicken will hit their best egg-laying prime when they are about one to two years old.
And…
Then it is said that their egg production decreases by about 10% a year after that. But I don’t take this for granted.
Nor do I care when we are talking about backyard chicken.
They are there as pets as well as giving you eggs.
So even though their egg production tends to decrease every year, they still produce fairly consistently for about four to five years.
And that’s what matters to me, after all, how many eggs do you need?
Don’t want to get egg bound you know…
Do They Go Broody?
Love it or hate it, and most of us hate it, is when your hens decide it’s time to go broody, they get cranky and take up the nest boxes.
When your other hens need them to lay their eggs in.
But when it comes to the majority of Rhode Island Reds, they will either never or very seldom go broody.
See also Why the Silkie Chicken is One of the Best Pets for Families with Children
Yey!
In fact, some do go broody, but they never stay broody for long.
That’s when it’s a pain…
When they just seem to stay broody, it feels like, forever…
Yet, there are some of the heritage strains that have not been bred for improved egg production, and they will go broody.
Can’t have it all I guess…
Rhode Island Reds come in 2 Different Comb Varieties
Yes…
You can get your own Rhode Island Red chickens in both a single comb and a Rose Comb variety.
The Single Comb Rhode Island Reds seem to be the most popular.
And I would vouch for this because I have not seen a Rhode Island red chicken with a rose comb before myself…
These chickens have a medium to moderately large, upright single comb.
The Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds, unfortunately, are incredibly rare, now that’s why I have not seen any rose combs in this breed.
At least in the U.S. I say “unfortunately” because this variety of rose combs are much more winter-hardy than the Single Comb variety.
If you have not noticed before, rose combs are smaller than the single combs and sit somewhat flatly against the head.
And this makes them virtually resistant to frostbite, as you can imagine…
As long as they do stay dry.
Those single combs, as you can imagine, are susceptible to frostbite.
And this is especially true for the Rhode Island Red roosters as their cones like roosters are, are much larger.
How Big Do Rhode Island Red Chickens Get?
Here are some of the ideal weights for Rhode Island Red chickens:
Roosters: 8.5 lbs
Hens: 6.5 lbs
Bantam roosters: 34 oz
Bantam hens: 30 oz
Not that we are looking at the Commercial strains, but I will put it in any way…
Commercial strains may be considerably lighter.
Are They Good Layers?
These red chickens not only brighten up your backyard chicken coop but are a go-to chicken for anyone who wants to add that friendly touch to their hen house.
They are laid-back chicken, a good egg layer, so don’t be surprised if you see your roosters laying back with his pipe and slippers.
What Colour Eggs Do They Lay?
I am sure you will not be surprised as with their lovely red feathers, that it is fitting for these Rhode Island Red hens to lay brown eggs.
Lovely dark brown eggs…
The Hens can lay up to 5–7 eggs per week apparently…
The hens lay approximately 310 eggs in their first laying season and 220 in the second.
See also What are Ameraucanas?
Some Rhode Island Reds Are Exceptionally Cold-hardy. While Others Are Prone To Frostbite.
As mentioned above, the Rose Comb variety of Rhode Island Reds are exceptionally cold-hardy, if you can find any…
Some of your single comb hens may be very cold-hardy as well.
However, many Rhode Island Red Roosters have combs so large that they are prone to frostbite, which, as you might imagine, is incredibly painful.
You might read that Rhode Island Reds are cold-hardy down to negative temperatures, and you can naively assume that meant they wouldn’t get frostbite.
When people say a chicken is “cold-hardy,” they mean the chicken will likely survive the cold, not that they’ll necessarily thrive in the cold.
The same is true of “heat-hardy.”
If winter temperatures typically stay in the twenties, and only in a very rare year will they go down to single digits you should be fine?
But frostbite is a serious risk even right at the freezing point.
However, there is a way you can counteract this.
You would feel terrible that that had happened under your watch.
So if it does happen, and to never let that happen again.
Go and purchase a heater and hang it above your chickens’ roosting bars, and that should take care of the problem.
Use them in all my coops for whatever breed of chickens you have that are single combed, I can’t recommend them highly enough.
They are life-savers for single-combed breeds!
Is the Rhode Island Red fairly Heat Tolerant
They do have down feathering that helps to keep them warm in the winter, but they are not as fluffy as some other cold-hardy breeds, like Plymouth Rocks or Orpingtons.
In fact, Rhode Island Reds tend to tolerate the heat much better than some other cold-hardy breeds.
They will, however, still need cold water available at all times, of course…
And plenty of deep shade during hot-temperature days.
If you have a tree that casts off the shade to your chicken run all the better, if not put up a sort of shade sale.
Just buy some shade cloth at a hardware store and attach it to part of the chicken run wire on the top.
So what do you think of the Rhode Island Red Chickens? I think they are lovely if you can get some.
If you have bigger chickens in your chicken run, then a few Rhode Island Reds would be a perfect addition to your backyard chickens.
Chickens, Rhode Island Red Hen that Lives with Goats, she left her flock and chicken coop