General Info
Hens will start laying eggs around 18-20 weeks with adequate diet, light and calcium. The RIR lifespan is 5-8 years if well taken care of.
Origin
Originating from Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the 1840s, the Rhode Island Red breed is an iconic chicken. Think about all the chickens you see on agricultural information…it’s the Rhode Island Red! They’re a cross between a Malay and a Brown Leghorn. A fun fact about them is that they are the state bird for Rhode Island.
Appearance
Rhode Island Reds have rich dark red feathers, a single red comb and they’re very hearty.
Eggs
Hens lay large light brown eggs that can range from pinkish to beigy-brown. They will lay between 200-280 large to extra large brown eggs. Out of all the dual-purpose chickens, RIR’s are said to be the best layers.
Temperment
One of their downfalls are that they can be quite energetic, sometimes loud and usually want to be the head of the pecking order.
Hardiness
They thrive in cold and warm climates and can withstand less-than-ideal living situations.
Random Family Photos
Explore all of the breeds we offer on the Chicken Breed Index page or the Mugshot page we call the Chicken Breed Gallery.