Rhode Island Red

Female

Male

Have an image of this breed to share? Get £1 shop credit for every image used.

History

The Rhode Island Red was developed in the US state of Rhode Island in the 1890s. Crossing a large variety of other breeds including the Buff Cochin, Langsh, Black Red Malay, Hamburgh and Rose combed Leghorns together created the Rhode Island Red. The Rhode Island is another bird created for both meat and eggs, to satisfy the demands of the American population. The breed arrived in the UK in 1903 and became extremely popular very quickly. The Rhode Island Red is possibly the best-known breed in the world today. The Rhode crossed with a Sussex forms the basis of most of our present day hybrids.

Behaviour

Rhode Islands are classed as a heavy breed, but are active. They enjoy foraging on grass. They are bright and alert but at the same time quiet. They make great pets and are relatively hardy. They will produce a large amount of brown eggs a year.

Varieties

The Rhode Island is a Red bird. The plumage is a dark rich glossy red in the male, being slightly less glossy in the female. The male should only have black in his wings and tail and the female the same but can have black on her neck. The body is broad and deep and oblong in its shape. It has a broad flat back with a medium sized tail. The earlobes are red in colour as are the eyes. They have yellow legs