Are rhode island reds family friendly?

[AuntieE]

I've been looking for some buff orp or golden comet pullets, but haven't had any luck in my area. I did put a listing on Craig's list and I had one reply from a gentleman with RIRs. I know they produce well, but I've heard they're flighty and high-strung. Have you found that to be true? I have 4 little kids, and want a flock that is fairly calm. I have australorps right now that have done well with the kids...

 

[jenni22776rn]

I only have one RIR..Miss Gretta. I love her..I got her as a older hen just last year..it has taken me a little while but she now eats out of my hand and comes running to me..but she is the boss to all other hens..and if the chickens from next door dare to come into her yard...she gives them a not so gentle push back to their yard! I would have to say that she is not as friendly as my BO..but I love the breed..one of my best layers by far even through the winter months! Although I only have one RIR..if given the chance I would have more of that breed!

 

[hennyannie]

We have had RIR all of my life and with the exception of a few less than friendly roos none have been what you would call flighty or high strung. Our current hens are good with our 6 and 10 year old kids. One even allows them to play with her as long as treats are envolved, she has even played dress up before. One thing you will find is that in a flock they are almost always top chicken so to speak, they are quite fearless. I always have some in my flock, they seem to lay longer than some other breeds.

 

[Bird Collector]

I only have one too that was given to me in a trade for a rooster I needed to rehome. I love her. Ruby is my right hand girl when I am outside in my shed and digging holes with me. Oh she also loves to rake leaves. I make a pile and she distroys it for me. She was already 10 to 12 weeks old when I got her too. I would defiently get more when the time comes. I realy would like to get a bantam RIR. I have mostly bantams. I just like the little chickens. I can also have more if they are smaller.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
It all depends on where you get your Rhode Island Red from. I breed and raise Reds and I think they are one of if not the best all round breed of chicken you can get.

I know they produce well,

Yes they do produce well, I average around 5 to 6 eggs per week per hen.

I've heard they're flighty and high-strung.

This is not true when it comes to true Reds ( non-hatchery stock

). I have around 30 to 50 Reds at any give time and I have yet had a,
"flighty", "high-strung" Red.

I have 4 little kids, and want a flock that is fairly calm.

I have 2 kids one 3 and one 5 and never had a problem with them or any of my other birds not even with the American Gamefowl.

The one thing you have to remember about Rhode Island Reds is that they were not bred to big 9 pound "lap bird" and they will not put up with trying to be held all the time.

The Rhode Island Red was bred to be a 9 pound egg layer that could still be used as a table fowl.


Chris​

 

[AuntieE]

Thanks for the info.

You all have sweet stories!

Chris09- I don't think they're hatchery stock, but I'll have to check to be sure.

Well, you've convinced me- I think I'll contact the gentleman today and at least get more info. His pullets are 6 weeks- my ba's are almost 6 weeks, so it would be nice to have them around the same age.

I'll let you know how it goes

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Rhode island reds (hatchery) were the first birds I ever had..along with Minorcas. I got them when I was 4. I absolutely loved them. They would sit in my lap for hours.

 

[Moonkit]

Glad to hear this... I was considering the breed to be a member of my first flock. I'm so moving somewhere that I can have a rooster! XD

 

[RapidEye]

I bought my 10 RIR hens from a local breeder when they were about 12 weeks old, so they weren't hand raised peepers.
Now at 10 months old they all come running from the pasture when they see anyone near their coop - we always toss them some scratch or kitchen greens when we collect eggs so they equate people with goodies.
Some of them love to be picked up and petted, others just tolerate it, and two won't let you get within 3 feet of them. They aren't flighty, they just prefer to not be picked up.
<shrug> I guess they are like people - you get all sort of personalities when you get a group together.
In any case, none are aggressive, are really good with my 11yr old daughter, and actually sit on top of the fence and taunt my border collies.
I get 7-9 eggs a day, every day, so yeah, I'd say they are good producers.

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

Oh RIR's are wonderful birds to have around! Even my hatchery RIR's have never been flighty. My big RIR roo Rusty (RIP big guy) was 12 lb. and he just wanted to be held all the time.

I have 3 new RIR chicks (+ 2 EE's & a Barnyard mix) in my coop under my 2 broodies right now and within a few weeks they'll be used to me. They are SO cccccccccuuuuuuuuuuuuttttttttttttteeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit - forgot the word "be"