Is my RIR rooster Mixed. VERY dark red.

[Chris09]

I have only just bought him and the people i got him of had another dominant rooster that wouldn't let this one eat so they have had to feed him separately but that doesn't help nearly as much as him getting his own food, that's why he is slightly under weight. I'm feeding him layer pellets at the moment is this alright or is it only for hes, i give the flock including him layer pellets dry and layer pellets soaked in water over night. Also he gets food scraps from the kitchen and our neighbors kitchens and they all free range for about 8hrs a day and it's summer where i am right now so plenty of insects and grass about. He was last wormed about 1 month ago but only one hen had the worms but i just gave the whole flock it.

I would dust him with a good poultry dust (sevin dust works great) and put him on a good feed that is at least 20% protein and also has animal proteins in it.
I myself don't feed a layer feed to any of my bird, you would be better off feeding a good Starter Feed and offering Oyster Shells on the side.


Chris

 

[NYREDS]

Somethin funky about the feather quality that's for sure. Colour is fine though.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

I agree. It was probably something that was lacking in his diet. What you are seeing are the feathers "breaking" and "fraying." It could also be that this bird simply has poor feather quality.

I'm sure a change in his diet will help. Who knows? Maybe he was relentlessly preened or something. He has good coloring for a Rhode Island Red. MUCH better than any hatchery bird!

Kudos on the awesome find!

Yeah his previous home was really not the place for him to be, but i shall get him back on track fitter and stronger and i still reckon he has a bit of growing to do, fill out a bit more and grow some nice feathers and the best thing was i got him for FREE.

I would dust him with a good poultry dust (sevin dust works great) and put him on a good feed that is at least 20% protein and also has animal proteins in it.
I myself don't feed a layer feed to any of my bird, you would be better off feeding a good Starter Feed and offering Oyster Shells on the side.


Chris

I live in Australia so we dont have Sevin Dust i think. But i'll try to get some and I'll get a bag of more protein and buy some natural yoghurt for him. The people i got him of said they got him from a show so he may just be a show bird or ex show bird now.

Somethin funky about the feather quality that's for sure. Colour is fine though.

Yeah when i hopefully hatch some chicks from I'l be able to see if he's frizzle.

 

[Crafty-Duck]

Real RIR are dark red!!! but the light reds you see a lot of are actually Production Reds.


Production Red

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Real RIR are dark red!!! but the light reds you see a lot of are actually Production Reds.


Production Red

Yeah i have 2 production reds except there a bit darker than the one that you have there.