Chicken Breed Focus Rhode Island Red

[cmom]

Quote:
I live in Florida near Ocala.

 

[daskhan]

Can you ship

 

[ShrekDawg]

I've seen some hatcheries, or even most, say that their birds are production strain or not show quality or for 4-H because they're bred for production not standard, does this mean they are not true RIRs? I've heard for true RIRs you have to go to breeders? I don't understand how they can even call them RIRs if they're not true to the breed?

 

[SueT]

My husband and I came up with this song celebrating RIR's. It's to the tune of "Rock Island Line" (sung by Johnny Cash among others...)
Oh the Rhode Island Red is a mighty fine hen,
Oh the Rhode Island Red is the hen to get,
Oh the Rhode island Red she's a mighty fine hen--
When you find one you will find she'll be a very good friend...
Get your chicken, get it quick and get a Rhode Island Red!

 

[cmom]

My husband and I came up with this song celebrating RIR's. It's to the tune of "Rock Island Line" (sung by Johnny Cash among others...)
Oh the Rhode Island Red is a mighty fine hen,
Oh the Rhode Island Red is the hen to get,
Oh the Rhode island Red she's a mighty fine hen--
When you fine one you will find she'll be a very good friend...
Get your chicken, get it quick and get a Rhode Island Red!

 

[cmom]

I've seen some hatcheries, or even most, say that their birds are production strain or not show quality or for 4-H because they're bred for production not standard, does this mean they are not true RIRs? I've heard for true RIRs you have to go to breeders? I don't understand how they can even call them RIRs if they're not true to the breed?

True, hatchery chicks are bred for production not to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection. Breeder bred RIR's are the real deal and from lines that were started over a century ago. The Hatchery birds have been modified to be better producers over the decades.
The first 3 pictures are Rhode Island Reds / Production Reds (hatchery). These birds have no heritage. They are bred for production





These 3 pictures are Pure Heritage Rhode Island Reds whose descendants can be traced back to the early 1900's (these are from the Reese line) You can't get these birds from a hatchery, only from a breeder.

 

[cmom]

Can you ship

Yes, I do ship eggs. My last shipment went to Washington state (from Florida). In the spring I will be shipping eggs. I will be making a list for eggs to ship. I will put a sign up list for eggs on my website. In the spring my pullets should be laying good too. I have to reorganize my breeding pens. I have banded the birds so I know who is who. I line breed, not in-breed. I am keeping the line pure. (Reese line) Right now the birds look pretty raggedy as they are molting.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I've seen some hatcheries, or even most, say that their birds are production strain or not show quality or for 4-H because they're bred for production not standard, does this mean they are not true RIRs? I've heard for true RIRs you have to go to breeders? I don't understand how they can even call them RIRs if they're not true to the breed?

Because there is no "Breed Police" running around giving tickets out. LOL.

In all seriousness? This topic ignites very, very strong feelings in people. Folks who procure their beloved pet birds from hatcheries do not appreciate folks saying things about their birds. It is human nature.

All chickens are just chickens. Chickens. Gallus gallus domesticus, I believe. All one species. The "artwork", if you will, of molding them into a particular "breed", described as such and such and so and so, is a human invention. All the "breeds" are a human invention. Other than a few landrace bird groups, most everything we call a breed was made by human breeders, tweakers of genetics to achieve a certain, detailed look to a bird. If you go by a strict interpretation of a breed's description in the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection, only those Reds produced by very careful breeding even come close enough to the Standard to be called good representatives of the breed. The same can be said for all the other breeds as well.

Hatcheries mass produce birds for available, inexpensive products for consumers who buy them. They are generally healthy birds and that is all folks care about. They typically only sort of, kind of look like the breed they are said to be. Are they? Some are a bit closer than others. Some birds sold as Rhode Island Reds are woefully far off and one has to practically suspend all belief to accept the claim.

So to re-cap, are all these reddish birds sold as RIR real RIR? It depends on who you ask and what you really want to hear for an answer. Are the hatchery reds good back yard layers? In many cases, yes indeed.

Are they the rich dark Reds, with the looooong flat backs, rich feather quality, protruding front keel silhouette of a true bred, true to Standard Rhode Island Red? I won't paste photos of the two kinds of birds side by side, but we could do so. Are they the same? It doesn't matter to many people, but to others, it matters a great, great deal. Different goals, different perspectives.

 

[Chickenchick11]

Here's my RIR boy (you'll see him in my avatar too), a bit naughty but a wonderful flock guard. He's produced a nice couple of chicks this year and we love having him around. Quite noisy and very curious, scared of my ducks but happy to charge at the neighbours dog! A great breed, I don't have any RIR hens but may look at getting some in the future. He's going through his first moult at the moment so he's a bit grumpy and not looking his best. ...

He's gorgeous!

 

[Nadene]

Both pictures look like bad lighting but first one looks like a buff Orpington and second a maran not entirely sure though

I tried getting better photos. Hope it is more clear