What breed is this Roo? PR or RIR? Neither?

[blessedchickenmama7]

I got him from the Tractor Supply Assorted Reds. He may even be a mix... I am not sure if they do mixes or not. He's only seven months old, but we like him a lot. He's very quiet and is a good protector. The little roo behind him.. he's the mouthy one.

The one I'm wondering about is the one on the right in both pics. Edit: His foot isn't always turned in that way. It's just how he was standing at the moment.

 

[speckledhen]

Looks like a typical hatchery Rhode Isl Red rooster.

 

[blessedchickenmama7]

Thanks. I wasn't sure. He was so lightly colored when he was younger and someone told me they thought PR so that's what I went with. But looking at pics, I can't tell the difference between the breeds. How do you tell RIR from PR, especially if they come from a hatchery and aren't as true to the standard?

 

[Tala]

Wow he's so light!
His legs look like my hens after they've been laying a while!

I got my RIR cockerel from the TSC Reds bin too, but he's beautifully colored. Different hatcheries I guess.

 

[speckledhen]

He is basically all one color, is why I say RIR rather than PR. His legs are very light, but that's hatchery stock for you sometimes.

 

[blessedchickenmama7]

Do you mean light in color or thickness? I thought they looked pretty thick compared to my hens... And hens' legs get lighter after they lay for a while?? (Can you tell I'm not very experienced...) He is light, but we think he's quite pretty, no matter what he is. I was just curious.

 

[M To The Maxx]

RIR cockerel

 

[Knight Hawk Ranch]

He is a production rhode island red roo. This is what most of the hatcheries sell.

I have them and just got a new roo, who is a heritage bred RIR and what a diffence in size and color. The new roo is bigger than my 2 year old production RIR and is only about 24 weeks old. His color is also much darker/deeper red and his body seams more solid.

I am going to use him on my production RIR pullets to upgrade my stock.

 

[blessedchickenmama7]

Amber,

Is production RIR a cross or is it a production RIR because it came from a hatchery? (Sorry for my ignorance.) What is heritage bred? (Again, sorry for my ignorance.) My chicks all came from TSC or the feed store so I am sure they are all hatchery babies. But I'd like to know for next spring.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Yes I meant light in color.
Yes, hen's legs fade their color pretty fast after they start laying.