Yes Randy was from the original RI Red family.
I'm going to have to go back a bit. Once upon a time the chicken world was different then it is now. Chicken breeds were fewer and further between than now and new breeds were being created. In Rhode Island a new breed was being created. The Rhode Island Red.
Now being the first of a new breed is like chicken royalty. But as part of the family hidden from the public eye is a dark secret.
When born into a family in those early breed development stages a young chick is destined to become one of two things. A breeder to go into the breeder groups or a cull to go into the freezer.
Randys mom was a beautiful young pullet. She fit the standard perfectly. Not only that but she was one of those chickens that just pulled you into them. Fascinating to be around. Every cockerel had their eyes on her.
Roseanne only had eyes for one cockerel though, Rupurt. Now Rup was a great looking bird in his own right. And he definitely had the abilities and drive to make it into a group. But Rup had one big problem. He was born with a single comb instead of a rose comb. Single comb was about the worst thing that could happen to a RI Red. Instant DQ. Freezer camp for sure.
As weeks went by Roseanne knew Rup's days were running out but then the strangest thing happened. All the men folk left the farm. Breeding pens were broke down and chickens started free ranging together. Life was taking a wonderful turn. Or was it?
What the reds didn't know was that the civil war had broken out the year before and armies were growing larger and marching up and down the coast.
As the war raged on life got harder for the flocks. The war was ugly. It turned neighbors against neighbors and split families down the middle. As bad as it was at least you had a side and could fight for it.
Chickens had no sides to pick and many flocks were being neglected or left to fend for themselves.
The biggest fear was the armies though. They would march through an area and kill and eat every chicken in sight.
Chickens started fleeing the area. Rup flew the coop and took Roseanne and headed west. No one knows much about the trip but they settled in the Dakota's and found a nice ranch far from the horrors back east.
Life was good and Randy was born in the spring. Rose took to motherhood well and cared for her brood. Well Rup took to making chicks more then being there for them. And was soon sowing his seed all over the prairie. Rose did all she could to keep Rup home but he had the blood and up bringing of a breeder. He soon departed the farm and headed out to find more flocks and larger flocks.
Life was hard for Randy in those early days. Just how hard I don't know. He didn't talk about it much.
As a young juvenile cockerel Randy was purchased and moved south down to the show me state.
The war was wrapping up but life was tough for a lot of families in Missouri that fought for the south. A lot of hatred still existed and Randy showed up with a chip on his shoulder too.
Randy lived on a farm down the road from us. He was a rule breaker and trouble maker from day one.
I'm going to have to go back a bit. Once upon a time the chicken world was different then it is now. Chicken breeds were fewer and further between than now and new breeds were being created. In Rhode Island a new breed was being created. The Rhode Island Red.
Now being the first of a new breed is like chicken royalty. But as part of the family hidden from the public eye is a dark secret.
When born into a family in those early breed development stages a young chick is destined to become one of two things. A breeder to go into the breeder groups or a cull to go into the freezer.
Randys mom was a beautiful young pullet. She fit the standard perfectly. Not only that but she was one of those chickens that just pulled you into them. Fascinating to be around. Every cockerel had their eyes on her.
Roseanne only had eyes for one cockerel though, Rupurt. Now Rup was a great looking bird in his own right. And he definitely had the abilities and drive to make it into a group. But Rup had one big problem. He was born with a single comb instead of a rose comb. Single comb was about the worst thing that could happen to a RI Red. Instant DQ. Freezer camp for sure.
As weeks went by Roseanne knew Rup's days were running out but then the strangest thing happened. All the men folk left the farm. Breeding pens were broke down and chickens started free ranging together. Life was taking a wonderful turn. Or was it?
What the reds didn't know was that the civil war had broken out the year before and armies were growing larger and marching up and down the coast.
As the war raged on life got harder for the flocks. The war was ugly. It turned neighbors against neighbors and split families down the middle. As bad as it was at least you had a side and could fight for it.
Chickens had no sides to pick and many flocks were being neglected or left to fend for themselves.
The biggest fear was the armies though. They would march through an area and kill and eat every chicken in sight.
Chickens started fleeing the area. Rup flew the coop and took Roseanne and headed west. No one knows much about the trip but they settled in the Dakota's and found a nice ranch far from the horrors back east.
Life was good and Randy was born in the spring. Rose took to motherhood well and cared for her brood. Well Rup took to making chicks more then being there for them. And was soon sowing his seed all over the prairie. Rose did all she could to keep Rup home but he had the blood and up bringing of a breeder. He soon departed the farm and headed out to find more flocks and larger flocks.
Life was hard for Randy in those early days. Just how hard I don't know. He didn't talk about it much.
As a young juvenile cockerel Randy was purchased and moved south down to the show me state.
The war was wrapping up but life was tough for a lot of families in Missouri that fought for the south. A lot of hatred still existed and Randy showed up with a chip on his shoulder too.
Randy lived on a farm down the road from us. He was a rule breaker and trouble maker from day one.
