Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Reds are confident, assertive birds rather than lap chickens. My girls are friendly with me — they follow me around and eat from my hand — but they won't be picked up willingly and won't be carried around by children. They're practical, efficient birds rather than pets in the Silkie or …

My Rhode Island Reds are by far the best foragers of my mixed flock. They cover the entire garden systematically, consume enormous quantities of insects and greens, and their yolks are deeper orange than any other breed I keep as a result. Free-ranging RIRs produce exceptional eggs and are very econ…

Rhode Island Reds have an almost legendary reputation for hardiness and it's completely deserved. My flock has sailed through an extremely cold winter, a hot summer, and conditions that left softer breeds struggling. No significant health issues in five years beyond routine worming. They forage aggr…

Beyond their productivity, Rhode Island Reds are genuinely beautiful birds. The deep mahogany-red plumage with black tail feathers in direct sunlight is stunning — they look like polished mahogany furniture with feathers. In the garden against green grass they're a wonderful visual addition. Product…

My Rhode Island Red flock has been with me for six years and the health record is extraordinary. No significant disease issues, no leg problems, no respiratory infections. Routine worming and annual vet checks are all they've needed. The hardiness bred into this dual-purpose American breed is genuin…

Rhode Island Reds are confident and can bully gentler breeds in a mixed flock. I made the mistake of adding Silkies to an established RIR flock and the Silkies were persistently picked on. Separating them or choosing breeds of similar confidence is important. Within a pure RIR flock there's a clear …

I kept a Rhode Island Red rooster for a year and he required consistent management to remain approachable. RIR roosters have a reputation for aggression and mine lived up to it — he charged at people (though never the hens' owners who handled him from day one). He was beautiful and the flock benefit…

My four Rhode Island Reds lay so reliably that I've never bought eggs since acquiring them three years ago and give away dozens weekly to neighbours. Even through last winter's dark months they maintained one egg per hen every day or two. The eggs are large, with deep orange yolks from their enthusi…

My first three chickens were Rhode Island Reds and they've made me a committed backyard keeper for eight years. The reliable eggs, the vigorous health, the active foraging personality — everything about them is honest and dependable. They don't have the fluffy charm of Silkies but they have somethin…