Paris, IL
Photo: Steven Van Elk / Pexels
- Purpose
- dual
- Egg color
- brown
- Eggs / year
- ~260
- Hen weight
- ~6.5 lbs
- Cold hardy
- Yes
- Heat tolerant
- Yes
- Temperament
- hardy, assertive, can be pushy in mixed flocks
- Forages
- excellent
- Broodiness
- low
- APA class
- American
- NPIP stock code
- R1048
- Origin
- United States (Rhode Island)
Breed guide
Rhode Island Red
Also known as: RIR, Heritage Rhode Island Red
Classic American dual-purpose breed developed in the 1800s and the state bird of Rhode Island. The plumage is deep mahogany-red. These are rugged birds, and among heritage breeds they rank with the best brown-egg layers. Hatchery strains lean lighter and lay more. The heritage side runs heavier, with darker color.
Keeper's notes
Nearly bulletproof in any climate, wet winters included. Roosters and some hens can be aggressive. Give mixed flocks space and put out more than one feeder.
From the 1910 Standard of Perfection
Class: American
Standard weights: cock 8.5 lbs, hen 6.5 lbs, cockerel 7.5 lbs, pullet 5 lbs
“Their chief characteristics are: red color, oblong shape, compact form and smooth surface plumage.”
Disqualifications: Ear-lobes more than one-half positive white; one or more entirely white feathers showing in the outer plumage; shanks and feet other than yellow or reddish-horn.
APA recognized varieties
American · American Standard of Perfection, 2010 list
Single Comb 1904Rose Comb 1905
Rhode Island Red listings
None right now. Have some? Post a listing. It's free.
Where to find Rhode Island Red
Showing Great Lakes. Change it with the Near box up top.
Regional breeders with this breed on file (122)
Spring Valley, IL
Willow Hill, IL
Waterloo, IL
Columbia, IL
Pekin, IL
Sterling, IL
Fayetteville, IL
Evansville, IL
See the full breeder directory →
Regional hatcheries that carry it (8)
Johnston City, IL
Zeeland, MI
Mt Gilead, OH
Polk, OH
Fredericksburg, OH
Sugarcreed, OH
Sugarcreek, OH
La Rue, OH
Sourced from NPIP state directories, matched by the stock codes each participant registers. A flock may keep breeds beyond what it registers, so this list runs conservative.
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