The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[cmom]

Quote: "Some are invited to dinner and are forced to accept the invitation."

The last time I saw Dick, I think he only has Bantam RIR's. When I was looking for my Rose Comb RIR's and I eventually found Dick Horstman and got my start on my RC RIR line from him. I agree with Fred, go to a show and look at the birds and someone is bound to have some nice Pure Reds for sale. That is how I found mine. I have Reese birds from @Matt1616 . I love them. Matt attends a lot of shows, that is where I usually touch base with him. If he has any for sale you would have to get a hold of him as he pre-sells his birds.

 

[cmom]

Quote: Here is a hatchery video..

 

[Wyatt0224]

Ok all of this advice is awesome! I really want to get started in heritage birds and I want to start with Rhode Island reds.

 

[cmom]

Research and learn as much as you can. Several of us show our birds at poultry shows. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to breed the best possible birds. I suggest you read about the Rhode Island Reds in the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection.

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Research and learn as much as you can. Several of us show our birds at poultry shows. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to breed the best possible birds. I suggest you read about the Rhode Island Reds in the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection.

I agree with getting "THE BOOK" American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection. Then get a good mentor if you are like me and not everything sticks. It really helps to have a mentor point out on your live bird exactly what the book is describing.

 

[cmom]

I had a set back with my Rhode Island Whites. A coyote killed several of my birds then an owl got into a pen and killed more. I started over with my one male and two female survivors. Don't give up...

 

[3riverschick]

I had a set back with my Rhode Island Whites. A coyote killed several of my birds then an owl got into a pen and killed more. I started over with my one male and two female survivors. Don't give up...

Hi,
Thanks cmom. I'm just not sure which way to go. I need a dual purpose simply colored breed which is cold and hot hardy with a small comb. Weather has really changed here in western PA. Polar vortexes in Jan. Hot humid summers. I need a breed which can handle both. I am switching coop style to the Woods Open Air Coop. I also need a breed which could stand to have more meat on the beast than they do at the moment. Simple colors, no fancy extremities which need management.
Sigh,
Karen

 

[waddles99]

Hi,
Thanks cmom. I'm just not sure which way to go. I need a dual purpose simply colored breed which is cold and hot hardy with a small comb. Weather has really changed here in western PA. Polar vortexes in Jan. Hot humid summers. I need a breed which can handle both. I am switching coop style to the Woods Open Air Coop. I also need a breed which could stand to have more meat on the beast than they do at the moment. Simple colors, no fancy extremities which need management.
Sigh,
Karen

What about RC Rhode Island Reds?

 

[3riverschick]

What about RC Rhode Island Reds?

Hi Waddles 99,
How hard is the rosecomb to breed? Is there a tough road to get the comb correct and a lot of loss among the way keeping it correct? I know that was one problem in the Chanteclers, trying to keep that cushion comb correct. Do RCRIR need improvement or are they pretty much already there as far as excellence goes? I know it has been a tremendously popular breed for a long time.
Thanks,
Karen

 

[Feathyr]

I wish you the best of luck in restoring your RIW flock, cmom. It's very frustrating to have the numbers reduced like that. I'm in a similar position with my SC Underwood Reds - blackhead has wiped most of them out over the past two years and I'm slowly rebuilding the flock. It's going to be a long wait.