Rhode island reds

[Themellowyellows]

Hi! I have 2 Rhode island red hens, and I feel like I have been seeing lots of people have problems with RIR... Is this true? If so what problems?

 

[rosemarythyme]

They may be more aggressive to other birds, especially docile breeds.

 

[Coops Dad]

I love my RIRs; they're smart, great layers, great foragers, bold, inquisitive and friendly. I got my current ones from a guy who was raising a true heritage dual purpose RIR so they're heavier bodied than the ones I originally started with from a feed store. Temperament wise, they are bossy and will even push the turkeys off the feeders.

 

[Loving my girls]

I had one pure bread who was, sickly. I put it down to being unlucky. I lost her for no apparent reason after about 6 months. Her name was Nell, rip Nell.

 

[FrostRanger]

The hatchery quality ones tend to have bossy hens that are prone to bullying, some of the most human aggressive roosters and hens are more likely to have reproductive issues

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

They are a really popular breed for many reasons. They are great layers, hardy in most weather, and even make good meat birds in most cases. However, some RIR roosters can be really aggressive. The hens aren't known to be the friendliest or most outgoing, but it's not like they're all really mean. The only RIR hen I had was very pleasant. She wasn't real outgoing, but she wasn't mean, and she was REALLY good at spotting hawks and warning the flock, which is super cool. The only thing is that many RIR hens from hatcheries tend to get reproductive issues down the road because of how many eggs they lay. That's how she died. But, this is common with a lot of hatchery birds unfortunately.

RIRs are really solid chickens. They are a staple on many farms for a reason! They are very practical to own. Just watch out for rooster aggression and monitor your laying hens when they are over 2 years old, and you'll be good. Enjoy the RIRs

 

[Themellowyellows]

I had one pure bread who was, sickly. I put it down to being unlucky. I lost her for no apparent reason after about 6 months. Her name was Nell, rip Nell.

So sorry! ❤

 

[Themellowyellows]

They are a really popular breed for many reasons. They are great layers, hardy in most weather, and even make good meat birds in most cases. However, some RIR roosters can be really aggressive. The hens aren't known to be the friendliest or most outgoing, but it's not like they're all really mean. The only RIR hen I had was very pleasant. She wasn't real outgoing, but she wasn't mean, and she was REALLY good at spotting hawks and warning the flock, which is super cool. The only thing is that many RIR hens from hatcheries tend to get reproductive issues down the road because of how many eggs they lay. That's how she died. But, this is common with a lot of hatchery birds unfortunately.

RIRs are really solid chickens. They are a staple on many farms for a reason! They are very practical to own. Just watch out for rooster aggression and monitor your laying hens when they are over 2 years old, and you'll be good. Enjoy the RIRs

Gotcha!

 

[ShotgunDog]

I have 10 RIR that are two years old, purchased from my local Ace Hardware (pretty sure they were sourced from Hoovers). These are the only hens I have and I have no roosters. That being said, they are SUPER friendly! I only have two shy ones. All of the others flock around me and love attention. I have a folding chair hanging on the inside of their pen so that I can "chicken sit" with them for some visits. They fly up on my lap, arms, shoulders even (although I really don't allow them to do that as I don't trust beaks so close to my eyes). But they talk, and visit for a while, then jump down and forage around me. There is a pecking order amongst them, but it is very subtle. The boss, Molly, is the only one really asserts herself onto the others. She keeps them in line and lets them know that she is the top chickie. And Percie makes her demands known when they see me opening the cabinet for their worm treats (Percie thinks I am way to slow to throw those worms so she pecks the back of my legs). So I cannot say how my girls would treat others of a different breed, but my RIRs get along very well amongst themselves. Thus far, my chickies have proven to be friendly and smart, and they keep us in a good supply of eggs.

 

[Loving my girls]

So sorry! ❤

That’s really kind, thank you.
Unfortunately shit happens
That sounds really callous but I’m afraid it does and we all lose our girls, however upsetting it is life and new life goes on.