I think I know now. But I would like to know from the experts!!

[The BlanchRanch]

Here are my chickens from last fall. I think they are three Araucana one Barred Rock and one Rhode Island Red. Not sure. Am I right or wrong?

 

[Blackberry18]

Yes, they are a Barred Rock, and hatchery Rhode Island Red. But Aracaunas have no tail and have ear tuffs. They look like Easter Eggers (hybrids that still contain the blue egg gene).

 

[junebuggena]

Your barred rock is not a barred rock. Barred Rocks have yellow feet. Mine are so yellow, they are almost orange. Cuckoo Marans have white/pink feet.

 

[Blackberry18]

Your barred rock is not a barred rock. Barred Rocks have yellow feet. Mine are so yellow, they are almost orange. Cuckoo Marans have white/pink feet.

They don't have to be. Mine are Barred Rocks, and they have the same shade. Marans have a lighter leg shade than the pic shown, and their barring is less prominent.

 

[BantamLover21]

Barred Rock, Production Red, and three Easter Eggers.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Barred Rock, Production Red, and three Easter Eggers.

Agreed.

 

[junebuggena]

Rhode Island Reds are a deep mahogany red. A production red is a Rhode Island based cross, bred for a higher rate of production.

 

[Blackberry18]

So how can you tell the difference between a Rhode Island Red and a Production Rhode Island Red?

Quality Rhode Island Reds have deep mahogany red, iridescent plumage through out their bodies. Production Red a very broad category of hybrid, red-feathered layers of brown eggs, like Red Sex-Links, New Hampshires, or hatchery Rhode Island Reds (Rhode Island Reds that are do not have the quality plumage, usually a lighter shade). As you can see, your bird has lighter plumage, and also has a black tail, which is a characteristic of the a pure Rhode Island Red, is slightly different, and is very upright. The legs and feet are a bit too light, too. Poor girl! I can see she's missing some toes; frostbite?

Basically, it's just comparing the Standard characteristics of the breed to what you have. This is a pure Rhode Island Red. It's pretty easy to see the difference:

 

[Blackberry18]

Maybe some genetic issue, then. The Easter Eggers haver some very lovely plumage.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Thanks so much! I have lived in Minneapolis my whole life and know little about chickens. This site is a huge help.