The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[enggass]

Without having to read this whole thread - although I'm working on it - can someone here give me the names of a few breeders of authentic RIRs? I have a few hatchery ones, but I would like to get some of the real deal. Hatching eggs preferably for the Spring time.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[lucky123]

Wow, over 8 months and still not laying. I have a few from a ark line that started at around 5 months. I also have some other rare breeds that didn't start until around 7 months.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
Go to Post #1 and email Bob Blosl. He will PM you with known breeders in your area. Or at least some to get eggs from.

As for the next question: Some lines take longer to amture than others. Seeing it is fall and teh days are getting shorter the 8 month old may not start laying till days start getting longer. We have a digital timer from Wal-Mart. ours is starting to lay, as our days are artificially getting longer.

 

[OSUman]

Quote:
I would recommend Roy Autrey I have heard good things about his birds here's his website. http://www.affgoats.com/large_fowl.html

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
Sent you a PM with the RIR Club District Director info for your area.

 

[FOGELLY]

Here are some pictures of some of my reds. They are around seven moths old. The pullets are not laying yet. My RIR are a work in process but I feel good about them so far.

 

[IowaHeritage]

VERY Nice Looking Brids !

Any particular line ??

 

[FOGELLY]

They are from the late Ricky Bates's line. He aquired this line from a woman in Louisiana a long time ago.

 

[Afterburner]

Could somebody post a picture of the heritage RIR in the same lighten conditions as a hatchery PR? I am interested in seeing the differences in colour and body shape between the two. Out here, where I live, there are almost no true heritage breeders for RIRs. I was wondering if you folks can point out what to look for when acquiring hens to verify they truly are RIRs.

 

[ajlynco]

This is such a fascinating thread, I'm sooo glad I found it. I'm going to start raising a small flock very soon and have been reading BYC for several months for info and input. I'd like to raise heritage RIRs and heritage BRs eventually. I live in town now and will have to start with a small flock, maybe 6 hens. In about a year we'll be moving to someplace w/a little more elbow room and I'll expand my operation. My question is, should I start out with heritage chicks or should I get hatchery birds and cut my teeth on them, learning the basics along the way? As much as I'd like eggs ASAP, when it comes time to expand my hendom, if I already have heritage birds I can let them raise thier own chicks (after I get a nice roo) instead of going the incubator route.