Rhode Island Reds?

[rmonge00]

Hey everyone,

I am about to buy a straight run of 25 chicks. I am planning on keeping the hens for laying eggs and taking the rooters for slaughter. I am planning on buying Rohide Island Reds as a good dual purpose chicken. Any thoughts, good or bad, would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[jaj121159]

I bought 10 RIRs as a straight run last July. I was lucky and got 7 hens, two roosters and one didn't make it. The two roosters got really mean and were made into soup. The RIR roosters seemed to mature faster than roosters of other breeds I got at the same time. The hens are now laying jumbo sized eggs and doing quite well. I think you have a good plan.

 

[CityClucks]

I agree with jaj121159's "good plan" sentiment. My production RIRs are consistent layers of large eggs and are curious and friendly with me. I have no personal experience with RIR roosters, although I have read they can be aggressive and reliable in their roosterly duties.

 

[Mattemma]

I bought hens at tractor supply in 2009 and paid a bit extra for the sexed ones.My dd's class incubated 24 eggs and only 6 hatched.Of the six there was only 1 rooster,and poor guy died in the summer.I have the 5 hens and they lay bluish eggs.

I would pay extra for sexed hens. Both my red sex link and blue layers have been laying all winter. I think my red sex link are part RIR and I like them.

 

[Judy]

I did something similar a few years ago but bought several breeds. I think you'll be as happy with this breed as any. I kept a few roos, planning to hatch my own replacements, which is what has happened.

Just as a FYI, they will most likely be what is called here production reds, as hatcheries cross breed for better egg laying. If you could locate a breeder of real RIR, they would be bigger and darker, but would mature more slowly and probably not lay as well.

 

[ScotianChick]

My RIRs are lovely. I have two RIR females and one roo. My other three are Silverlaced. Only one of my RIRs is producing eggs (I got a dud with my other one) and she usually lays one very large egg a day. She's very reliable, friendly and never at all skittish. My rooster is generally friendly but they are usually really aggressive. I am lucky in the way that my rooster is a gentleman and very observant of the flock... and also he and I have only had a couple run ins with each other.

 

[Ted Nugent]

I love my RIRs!

Just be prepared for some noise.
I don't have much (OK, I don't have any!) experience with other breeds, but I'm told RIRs are vocal.
My experience with my 2 hens bears that out.
Even though they are hens, they're still birds and begin clucking (loudly) at first light. Not so bad in winter, but 0545 on Sunday mornings in summertime gets old pretty quick!

And I'll echo what others have said, they are great egg producers. Unless they're in winter molt, I get 1/hen/day essentially.

I'm down to 1 hen now, Attila the Hen and she just gave me another egg.
Time for breakfast!

Good luck!
--Ted

 

[duckking]

My RIR's have been consistent layers and one is now producing large eggs (2.1oz). They are 6 month old and the others are still producing pullet sized eggs. They have wonderful personalities. I don't find them that vocal, but then my Delaware drowns out everyone else

 

[Fred's Hens]

I also prefer sexed chicks and am quite willing to pay the 40 - 50 cent pullet premium. The roos are too hard to sell off and I would raise a meaty bird if I wished birds for meat. There are fewer people who want the roosters and do their own slaughtering. I don't want to feed chicks for 6 weeks to discover over half are males. With feed costs rising, no can do.

 

[ams3651]

my RIR are pleasant and reliable. My roo, I wont say hes agressive, I will say hes protective. I respect it and when in the coop I talk to him and dont turn my back to him and I have little problem. Other people though best stay away from his girls. He is great taking care of them and they love him for it. They reject all other roos hatched into the flock. But I will say, my EE lay more eggs and are more friendly. One so intelligent its a challenge but in turn, she is the friendliest. The RIR do make some noice, especially when laying but my coop, by design, is on the other side of my house from the bedrooms so it doesnt bother me at all and I actually enjoy hearing the roo in the warmer months.