The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[Alaskan]

And I did just post this on the other RIR thread, but in case this isn't the same group of people...

I ordered two pullets, RIR, single comb of course, from Meyers Hatchery this year.

They look so dark to me! I think that they look dark enough to be heritage RIR. Am I imagining it?

Has anyone else seen the RIR from Meyers?

 

[BGMatt]

I'm not one of the big Red guys, but I can answer that one. There is more than just color to "heritage" Rhode Island Reds. Body type and size are critically important.

 

[Alaskan]

Oh, I am not that good yet, to distinguish body type between Heritage and production RIR

Thanks for the answer though

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Meyer's RIR are production RIR. They lay nicely for me but they do come with their own issues. I lost one due to it getting egg bound. Another just passed in the night due to a heart condition. But they do produce eggs, not jumbo eggs but large enough for us.

 

[NikonD2xer]

Oh, I am not that good yet, to distinguish body type between Heritage and production RIR

Thanks for the answer though

If you want to learn all about the Heritage Rhode Island Reds and differences between the HRIR's and the production reds the hatcheries sell you have come to the right place. This thread is a gold mine of information and the experience and knowledge the people have here is staggering. Read this thread from start to finish. It is well worth the time and effort. I have read though the entire thing 3 times. From what i have i seen on here, if you have any questions, the people here will have the answer and seem more the willing to help out.

If all goes well, I will be getting some HRIR chicks in about 3 weeks.

Thank you to all who have contributed to this thread,
the education and information is GREATLY appreciated !!!!

 

[melroseladi]

I know there are still some people looking to get started with Reds so if anybody is interested I can spare a pair or trio of 19 week olds. I will be heading to Alabama on Friday and will be happy to meet along I-10 between Lake City to De Funiak Springs. Thought I would do my share at helping others get started.

Penny

 

[Fred's Hens]

How well do RC RIR lay? Are they as prolific as the SC RIR?

From what I understand, the Heritage SC RIR don't lay quite as well as the production reds, but the SC RIR have a longer laying life.

Did I get that right?

I would also love comments on their personalities and the roosters aggressiveness.

Thanks!

A true bred, heritage type bird rarely lays as well as their hatchery counter parts. There is a pretty good reason for that. The hatchery fowl often are quite the posers. They look just close enough, or sort of close to the true bred birds that bear the name of the breed. The typical hatchery stock has had Leghorn or other blood hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) to make them better layers. The hatcheries are volume producers of flock bred birds. Think mill. It's what they do. They require high laying rates to be profitable.

In my estimation personality and temperament is a trait worthy of looking at closely. 95% of all complaints about the aggressiveness of RIRs is due to owners having hatchery stock. Most folks who keep old lines of quality, true bred Rhode Island Reds do not complain of the aggressive issues.

As for laying, the true bred bird can lay well. We have purebred, old type, heritage Barred Rocks that lay quite well. Our Reds also lay well. The thing is, they lay well for many years. Frankly, it was the egg bound and ovarian issues of the modern hybrid layer that drove us to re-examine what we wanted on our homestead. It's great that these top flight layers lay early, lay large, and lay heavy, but our experience is that far too many of them suffer the consequences at a very young age. We found it discouraging. A well bred bird will lay well enough for its keeper to be satisfied. 180-200 eggs per year. If you must have production levels of the commercial birds, you probably won't like the heritage fowl. Of course, a heritage fowl often is much heavier and provides a true dual purpose bird with meat on its bones, something that is pretty rare in a hatchery bird passing as the same breed.

 

[catdaddyfro]

A true bred, heritage type bird rarely lays as well as their hatchery counter parts. There is a pretty good reason for that. The hatchery fowl often are quite the posers. They look just close enough, or sort of close to the true bred birds that bear the name of the breed. The typical hatchery stock has had Leghorn or other blood hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) to make them better layers. The hatcheries are volume producers of flock bred birds. Think mill. It's what they do. They require high laying rates to be profitable.

In my estimation personality and temperament is a trait worthy of looking at closely. 95% of all complaints about the aggressiveness of RIRs is due to owners having hatchery stock. Most folks who keep old lines of quality, true bred Rhode Island Reds do not complain of the aggressive issues.

As for laying, the true bred bird can lay well. We have purebred, old type, heritage Barred Rocks that lay quite well. Our Reds also lay well. The thing is, they lay well for many years. Frankly, it was the egg bound and ovarian issues of the modern hybrid layer that drove us to re-examine what we wanted on our homestead. It's great that these top flight layers lay early, lay large, and lay heavy, but our experience is that far too many of them suffer the consequences at a very young age. We found it discouraging. A well bred bird will lay well enough for its keeper to be satisfied. 180-200 eggs per year. If you must have production levels of the commercial birds, you probably won't like the heritage fowl. Of course, a heritage fowl often is much heavier and provides a true dual purpose bird with meat on its bones, something that is pretty rare in a hatchery bird passing as the same breed.

very well worded and said,


Jeff

 

[monnie662]

A true bred, heritage type bird rarely lays as well as their hatchery counter parts. There is a pretty good reason for that. The hatchery fowl often are quite the posers. They look just close enough, or sort of close to the true bred birds that bear the name of the breed. The typical hatchery stock has had Leghorn or other blood hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) to make them better layers. The hatcheries are volume producers of flock bred birds. Think mill. It's what they do. They require high laying rates to be profitable.

In my estimation personality and temperament is a trait worthy of looking at closely. 95% of all complaints about the aggressiveness of RIRs is due to owners having hatchery stock. Most folks who keep old lines of quality, true bred Rhode Island Reds do not complain of the aggressive issues.

As for laying, the true bred bird can lay well. We have purebred, old type, heritage Barred Rocks that lay quite well. Our Reds also lay well. The thing is, they lay well for many years. Frankly, it was the egg bound and ovarian issues of the modern hybrid layer that drove us to re-examine what we wanted on our homestead. It's great that these top flight layers lay early, lay large, and lay heavy, but our experience is that far too many of them suffer the consequences at a very young age. We found it discouraging. A well bred bird will lay well enough for its keeper to be satisfied. 180-200 eggs per year. If you must have production levels of the commercial birds, you probably won't like the heritage fowl. Of course, a heritage fowl often is much heavier and provides a true dual purpose bird with meat on its bones, something that is pretty rare in a hatchery bird passing as the same breed.

I agree wholeheartedly. The HRIR roosters are nice to have around, but those Production Reds that's another story all by itself. Temperament is the name of the game to me especially after having production red roosters.

 

[Alaskan]

So, in regards to laying.

A production red lays around 6 eggs a week, but only for a maximum of two years, and is likely to have more health issues. And the roosters are much more likely to be horrid.

A Heritage RIR will lay about 4 eggs a week, will have fewer health issues.......but for how long? For how many years can I expect 4 eggs a week? And the roosters are more likely to be nice.

Right?