Most or nearly all of us are familiar with Rhode Islands, especially the Red variety, and love there standard look and great egg production. So here is some information and history on the breed.
History
The Rhode Island is a true utility breed, specially developed for laying eggs. The breed was created in the United States (country of origin) in the nineteenth century, specifically in the state of Rhode Island. By crossing an assortment of layers with Asiatic birds like Cochins and Malays, there arose, after a focused selection for good laying, a reasonably uniform breed. The red variety was a favourite with the local breeders, as the hens of this colour were rumoured to be the best layers. It took until 1904 for the breed to be recognised in the standard of perfection, at first only with a single comb. Two years later rose-combed birds were also recognised, as were the whites. Even before recognition in the United States, these animals were already exported to Europe, where they became very popular as utility fowl. Until this day, the Rhode Island’s genetic make-up can be found in many commercial breeds used with a view to breeding egg hybrids.
Appearance
The Rhode Island shape is that of a long rectangle. It has a well-rounded breast and a tail that is rather short and is carried a little above the line of the back. It’s leg colour is yellow. It can have either a single or a rose comb. The breed has fairly large eyes of a reddish bay colour. Their ear-lobes are red.
Colours And Marking Patterns
The breed comes in two colours, red and white. The reds have either a single comb or a rose comb. The whites are, in the few countries where they are recognised, only seen right with a rosecomb. The colour red is far better know and bred than the white. Many breeders and fanciers of these chickens often refer to them as ‘Rhode Island Reds’ or ‘Reds’, while this is only a colour variant and not the breed’s true name.
Characteristics
The Rhode Island Reds have both single and rose combs. They are a great dual purpose breed, capable of excellent egg production.
Rhode Island Whites are a result of crosses of Partridge Cochins, White Wyandottes and Rose-Comb White Leghorns. The distinct shape characteristic of both Rhode Island’s is the horizontal, rectangular body.
Purpose
Dual
Classification
Heavy / Soft feather
Origin
United States Of America
Egg Colour
Brown to dark brown
Egg Numbers
220 per annum
Feel free to leave comments about your experiences with Rhode Islands and any changes you think should be made to this post.
The ‘cheap’ Chicken or Duck house costs about €25 to build, yet they are the most sturdy, well insulated houses I have! Normally my advice to people looking to buy a chicken house is not to buy too cheap since they will end up either having the fox get in to it, or after a few years will be buying again but building this chicken or duck house, if you pardon the pun, goes against the grain. You must be thinking by now that this all seems too good to be true, but there is one key ingredient to this house that keeps the cost down, and that is, the frame underneath it which is a surplus wooden packing crate.
Ever hear the saying, “As rare as hen’s teeth”? The fact that chicken’s are lacking in the dental department means they need an alternative way to break up their food. So how do they do it? This is were grit comes in.
