Rhode Island Red yes or no?

[deafguy2]

Are these the same?

Fred,

They look different. Can I have an explanation why the hatcheries label " RIR " instead other name than the purebred what you have. That's really disgusting!

 

[gojira]

The reason that "hatchery" birds don't look like pure bred birds of any breed is because hatcheries crossed leghorn into them years ago to increase their egg laying capabilities to meet the desire of backyard chicken people that want chickens that lay a high volume of eggs year around. So...technically "hatchery" birds are not pure bred chickens.

I have heard many times on this forum that hatcheries crossed Leghorn into various breeds to increase egg production, but no one has ever offered references to support this When did they do this? Can you provide documentation? Considering Leghorn was a parent breed of the Rhode Island Red, how would that affect its purity?

 

[Casper101Popcor]

So would this be classified as a purebred RIR?

 

[Fred's Hens]

So would this be classified as a purebred RIR?

Yes it would. It meets the breed standard, from I can see in a photo.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Fred,

They look different. Can I have an explanation why the hatcheries label " RIR " instead other name than the purebred what you have. That's really disgusting!

There are no "Breed Police" running around handing out tickets. Folks are free to call just about anything, anything. If folks buy them and like them? That's about the end of it. Retail type hatcheries provide a valuable service; chicks available just about year round and at will, shipping to your house or local feed store for re-sale. To make a profit, as yes, they are a business, they must have extraordinay efficiency as they operate on thin margins. It's essentailly mass production of chicks. It's what they do well.

It isn't just Reds either.

 

[gojira]

Yes it would. It meets the breed standard, from I can see in a photo.

How does it "meet" the breed standard? I thought no bird was perfect, so birds only come close to the breed standard, but don't meet it. Also, I don't see a brick shape, and I see a good bit of red in the tail. I thought that would fall short of the standard for a Rhode Island Red?

 

[waddles99]

Im no expert on RIR, Fred and Matt will do a better job of telling you what a real RIR is, but I can tell you what I know.

The Hatchery bird you posted:
-The bird is more of a light rust color, rather than deep mahogany
-Its tail is way too high, it is supposed to be 10 degrees, that looks more like 30
-Its tail isn't full as a true RIR
-It lacks a "brick" shape, the chest just quickly slopes down to the legs instead of jutting out
-The back isn't flat

 

[Matt1616]

How does it "meet" the breed standard?  I thought no bird was perfect, so birds only come close to the breed standard, but don't meet it.  Also, I don't see a brick shape, and I see a good bit of red in the tail.  I thought that would fall short of the standard for a Rhode Island Red?

This bird has a very good brick shape as you should be able to see with the extended keel (breast) and the flat back. The picture is taken from above and does not accentuate the brick shape but it is clearly there. I fail to see the red in the tail that you are describing except for the red edging that is on the top two main tail feather that is called for in the standard. Please explain what you are seeing there?


Matt

 

[gojira]

This bird has a very good brick shape as you should be able to see with the extended keel (breast) and the flat back. The picture is taken from above and does not accentuate the brick shape but it is clearly there. I fail to see the red in the tail that you are describing except for the red edging that is on the top two main tail feather that is called for in the standard. Please explain what you are seeing there?


Matt

I don't see a flat back. I see a back with a slight incline towards the tail. I don't see that it was taken from above. If it was, the bird in the background must be enormous. I see red on more than the top two tail feathers. Maybe I am looking too hard. Gives me hope for my hatchery Production Reds if this bird looks that good.

 

[Matt1616]

I don't see a flat back.  I see a back with a slight incline towards the tail.  I don't see that it was taken from above.  If it was, the bird in the background must be enormous.  I see red on more than the top two tail feathers.  Maybe I am looking too hard.  Gives me hope for my hatchery Production Reds if this bird looks that good. 

Are you talking about the covert tail feathers? The main tail feathers are black...I'm still confused about that.

Do you think this bird has a flat back?