Rhode Island Red Chicken is an American dual-purposechicken breeddeveloped in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the mid-1840s. Rhode Island Red chickens are good egg layers but can be raised for both meat and egg production.
They are also good as show birds. This breed is among the most popularchicken breedsfor backyard herds. They are very popular mainly because of their robustness and ability to lay eggs. Rhode Island Red Chicken comes from Malay, which has its deep color, strong constitution, and relatively hard feathers.
The early flocks often had both rose-crested and single-crested birds. The first Rhode Island Red chickens were originally raised in Adamsville (a village that is part of Little Compton, Rhode Island).
A black-breasted red Malay rooster imported from England was one of the founding sires of the Rhode Island Red chicken breed. Because Rhode Island Red chickens are prolific egg-layers, they are used in the creation of many modern hybrid breeds.
Table of Contents
Rhode Island Red Chicken breed information
Here we try to describe more information about the Rhode Island Red chickens.
Physical Properties
Rhode Island Red chickens are relatively hardy and are probably the best egg-layers of the dual-purpose breeds. This breed is a good choice for the owner of a small herd.
Even under poor housing conditions, they continue to produce eggs than all other breeds and can also handle marginal nutrition.
Rhode Island Red is one of the breeds that has excellent show qualities along with good production abilities. They have rectangular, relatively long bodies that are typically dark red in color. They have red-orange eyes, red-brown beaks.
And their feet and legs are yellow (often with some reddish color on the toes and sides of the thighs). Her skin is yellow in color. The bird's feathers are rust colored, but darker shades have been known, including maroon bordering on black.
Rhode Island Red chicks are light red to brown in color. On average, a male Rhode Island Red weighs around 3.9 kg and a female around 2.9 kg.

behavior/temperament
Rhode Island Red chickens are active, docile, and calm. Roosters can sometimes be a bit aggressive. ThischickenThe breed is suitable for both keeping and free-range.
Rassename | Rhode-Island-Rot |
Alternate name | RIR, Rhode Islands |
breeding purpose | dual purpose |
Rasse Temperament | Aggressive, calm, friendly, curious, noisy, easy to handle |
breed size | Heavy (6.5-8.5 pounds) |
brittleness | Rare (not prone to rumination) |
Kamm | Large, single or rose combs |
climate tolerance | All climate zones (very robust) |
egg color | Braun |
egg size | Big |
egg productivity | Very good (approx. 300 eggs/year) |
Feathered Legs | no |
rarity | Spread |
sorts | Only recognized in red |
The good
- Schön
- Calm
- Curious
- Taking care of other chicks
- Fertile Layers
- Lay big eggs
- Good collectors
- Lay brown eggs
- Hardy Birds
- Mild temper
- Nonvolatile
The bad
- Roosters are a bit aggressive
- Can sometimes be mean to other birds
- Sometimes bossy
- Sometimes very loud
Is Rhode Island Red Chicken Good For You?
Rhode Island Red Chickens are good for you if you......
- Wants to raise chickens with high egg production.
- Want to produce larger brown eggs.
- Do you want to recycle your kitchen waste?
- Are willing to breed some beautiful birds.
- Look for suitable chicken breeds that are good foragers.
- Do you want to breed some hardy chickens that can survive in all climates.
- are looking for a dual-purpose chicken breed that produces more eggs than meat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Rhode Island Red chickens are very popular in many countries around the world. And popularity of itchicken breedgradually increases. That is why many people are trying to learn more about this breed. Especially the beginners ask us a lot of questions about Rhode Island Reds. However, here we try to list and answer the most common questions. Hope you find your answer. Don't hesitate to ask us if you have any further questions.
Are Rhode Island Red chickens cute?
YES, Rhode Island Red chickens are very cute. They are very friendly and quite docile in nature.
Can Rhode Island Reds live with other chicken breeds?
YES, Rhode Island Red chickens are very friendly by nature and quite docile. They usually get along quite well with other breeds of chickens.
How do you know if a Rhode Island Red is pure?
Red wattles, comb and ears are the common characteristics of the Rhode Island Red chicken breed. Their skin, feet and legs are yellow in colour.
Are Rhode Island Red Quiet?
YUP! Rhode Island Red is the calmest breed of all laying hen breeds.
What Are the Benefits of Rhode Island Red Chickens?
Main professionals of the Rhode Island Reds are:
- They are excellent layers
- They are great hen for the beginners
- You are very of very kind personality
- Very strong and sturdy and resistant to most health issues.
What Are the Disadvantages of Rhode Island Red Chickens?
Common disadvantages of this breed of chickens are:
- They can be shy at times
- Sometimes they can be noisy
- They are excellent escape artists
- Sometimes further down the pecking order
Are Rhode Island Reds Loud?
They make very little noise.
How cold is too cold for Rhode Island Red chickens?
Temperatures below 18°C are considered too cold for the Rhod Island Reds. So give them warmth when the temperature is too cold.
What breed of chicken is the friendliest?
Some friendly chicken breeds for beginners are:
- Seidenhühner
- Rhode-Island-Rot
- Cochins
- Sprinkled Sussex
- Buff Orpington
Are Rhode Island Reds good in winter?
Rhode Island Reds are fairly hardy.
How Many Eggs Do Rhode Island Reds Lay Per Year?
Rhode Island Red is a very good layer breed. On average, a hen can lay up to 300 large brown eggs per year.
What Is the Lifespan of a Rhode Island Red Chicken?
The average lifespan of a Rhode Island Red chicken is between 5 and 8 years. But the farm raised Rhod Island Reds are slaughtered after they are 3-4 years old.
Do Rhode Island Reds need a rooster to lay eggs?
NO! Rhode Island Red chickens do not need a rooster to lay eggs. Roosters have no function in overall egg production. You only need roosters if you want fertilized eggs to hatch.
How Long Does a Rhode Island Red Hen Lay Eggs?
In general, a Rhode Island Red hen can lay eggs for 3-4 years.
Can Rhode Island Red chickens fly?
Almost all chickens can fly to some degree, but Rhode Island Reds are not among the more agile breeds in the air.
Do Rhode Island Red chickens lay eggs in winter?
YUP! Your Rhod Island Reds will lay eggs throughout the winter.
What color eggs do Rhode Island Reds lay?
The color of Rhode Island Red chickens is brown. Their eggs are much larger than many other chicken breeds.
Are Rhode Island Red Roosters Friendly?
YES, Rhode Island Red chickens are relatively friendly by nature.
Do Rhode Island Red chickens breed?
Rhode Island Red chickens very rarely breed.
Which is better Rhode Island Red or Black Australorp?
Black Australorp chickensare a better choice for you if you want to raise chickens for meat. But if you want to produce eggs, then Rhode Island Reds are very good for you.

How can you tell if a Rhode Island Red is male or female?
The sex of Rhode Island Red chickens can be determined by the color of their wings when they hatch. Male chicks have a white spot on the down over the wing tissue. This patch is lost when the chick down is shed and replaced with feathers.
How big do Rhode Island Red chickens get?
Generally around 2.9 kg.
How Big Do Rhode Island Red Roosters Get?
Generally around 3.9 kg.
What Do Rhode Island Red Chickens Eat?
Rhode Island Reds are just like other common chicken breeds. They are fine if you feed them regular layer feed.
How much is a Rhode Island Red?
The exact price may vary from place to place. The average price of a Rhode Island Red chick can range from $1.5 to $5.
Are Rhode Island Reds heat tolerant?
YES, Rhode Island Red chickens tend to tolerate heat better than some of these other cold hardy breeds.
At what age do Rhode Island Red roosters start crowing?
A Rhode Island red rooster begins to crow at about 16 weeks of age.
How Much Space Do Rhode Island Red Chickens Need?
On average, a Rhode Island Red chicken needs about 4 square feet of space.
Why aren't my Rhode Island Reds laying?
Chickens stop laying eggs for a variety of reasons. Hens may lay fewer eggs due to light, stress, poor diet, shedding, or age.
What do Rhode Island Red chickens need?
The Rhode Island Red chickens are very useful, adorable and entertaining fowl birds. All they need is nutritious food, clean water and a good shelter. Always try to take good care of your birds and vaccinate them on time.