Rhode Island is a breed of chickens, I am well known to farmers around the world. Besides unpretentiousness in leaving, these layers are characterized by high productivity and excellent resistance to diseases. Also, chickens of this breed are very often used for breeding various crosses.
Breed history
Rhode Island is a breed of chickens ( we will give a description below), bred in school A. Farmers engaged in the selection of this cross in the middle of the last century. For the first time such chickens began to breed in Rhode Island. From here, in fact, their name went. Today, almost all farmers breed such a bird in this area. These chickens, in fact, even became one of the symbols of the state of Rhode Island.
For the first time in the exhibition, these crosses took part in 1880. That is, the breed is quite old. But despite this, she still has no signs of degeneration. Farmers monitored the cleanliness of the line quite carefully.
When breeding rhode islands, first, fighting yellow roosters were crossed with local chickens. Subsequently, the new breed improved once again. Breeders decided to cross it with speckled leggors of increased egg production.
These hens were brought to Russia quite a long time ago. They were first bred on collective farms in the 1920s.
general description
Rhode Island is a breed of chickens related to the meat-and-egg direction of productivity. The appearance of this cross, since its ancestors were fighting roosters, is quite spectacular.
The main features of the American breed include:
a small head;
elongated rectangular back;
upright leaf-shaped crest of red color;
medium-sized beak bent down;
strong orange legs.
The plumage of the cross Rhode Island is dark red with brilliance. The tails of both hens and males are black with a greenish tint. The white and yellow color of the plumage is not considered a defect either. However, such chickens in farms are quite rare. In any case, the plumage of rhode island chickens is always very dense and dense. Layers of this breed have a white spot on their heads.
There is also a variety of this hybrid with a pale red color. This type is bred mainly in poultry farms.
Rhode Island Chickens: Performance Characteristic
At the age of one year, American laying hens weigh about 3 kg. The weight of adult males is usually 3.5 kg. Rhode Island eggs carry a little less than many modern crosses. But their productivity in this regard is still quite high - about 180 pcs. in year. The eggs themselves are not too big - they weigh about 50-60 grams. The color of their shell is brown.
Rhode Island is a breed of chickens that is popular with farmers, which is also due to stamina. The safety of the young of this bird is about 97%. Laying hens and males reach puberty at the age of about 6.5 months.
Rhode Island: Features of the Breed of Chickens
The plumage of this cross, as already mentioned, is very dense. Therefore, in winter, even in the cold climate of Russia, in an unheated shed, this bird feels just fine. In the cold season, unlike many modern breeds and hybrids, it practically does not reduce egg production. It is for this quality that cross is mainly valued by farmers.
Rhode Island adult chickens therefore do not freeze in winter. However, the same can not be said about chickens of this breed, unfortunately. Chicks fledge for a very long time. Moreover, their fluff is not too thick. Therefore, it is impossible to prevent overcooling of the recently hatched chicks of this breed in any case.
Content Features
Rhode Island is a breed of chickens (a photo of this bird is presented on the page), which can be bred on either the full or the cellular method. The second method, however, is considered more preferable. Having the opportunity to take walks near the barn, the Rhode Island chickens usually carry more eggs.
Despite the fact that this bird is not afraid of colds, a litter of sawdust should be provided for it in the barn. The house itself needs to be insulated. Perches for these hens are located at a height of about 80 cm from the floor. The nests are hung on the wall in secluded places, so that the layers can easily get into them. These hens are not afraid of dampness. However, at least the simplest ventilation in the barn is worth arranging for them.
The nature of these chickens is peaceful and kind. Therefore, they can be kept on the compound with almost any other poultry.
The maternal instinct in Rhode Island chickens, unfortunately, is not particularly well developed. In principle, this bird can sit on eggs. However, this happens quite rarely. Therefore, chickens of the rhode island breed are bred most often in incubators.
How to feed
No special diet for these chickens is required. They are fed in the same way as almost any other bird in the meat-and-egg direction of productivity. That is, in the morning they give the chickens grain, in the afternoon - a mash and in the evening - again concentrated feed. On such a menu, chickens will rush well and gain weight quickly enough. The proportion of concentrated feed in the diet of this bird should be approximately 2/3.
Of course, to get high-quality eggs and preserve the health of the bird, a little premix, grated chalk and salt should be poured into the mixers prepared for it.
Positive feedback from farmers about the breed
Owners of homestead farms include, of course, their rather high productivity in terms of weight gain and egg laying to the advantages of rhode island chickens. Also, the breed’s plus is its tolerance for the harsh Russian climate. In addition, many farmers note the fact that such a bird is very undemanding to feed. Rhode Island is a breed of chickens, reviews of which are positive also because, apart from compulsory cereals, its menu can include absolutely any greens (nettle, alfalfa, tops of carrots and radishes, etc.), root crops and fruits . This bird does not refuse pumpkin or zucchini.
With good care and nutrition, these chickens can easily exceed standard productivity indicators . For example, when using vitamins and special additives, their egg production often reaches 220 pcs. in year.
Actually, the eggs of the rhode islands themselves, according to many farmers, are very tasty. They go especially well for omelettes. In any case, they have no soapy taste, like in the eggs of many modern crosses.
Negative reviews
Rhode Island is a breed of chickens, the main disadvantage of which, according to many farmers, is a weak maternal instinct. Owners of homestead farms that breed this bird take care of replenishing the herd in most cases on their own. Moreover, with artificial breeding, the survival rate of rhode island chickens, unfortunately, is only about 70%. It is believed that laying eggs of this breed are therefore better not to incubate, but to lay under the hens of other breeds.
Also a minus of this bird is that its productivity is slightly inferior to some domestic meat and egg hybrids. Indirectly some of its exoticism is attributed to the shortcomings of this bird. It is quite difficult to get real rhode islands in Russia. Mostly, crossbreeds with lower productivity than purebred chickens are found on sale.
Dwarf Rhode Islands
In addition to ordinary birds, a very small variety of this cross can be bred on farms. Mini Rhode Island is a breed of chickens that is popular with farmers mainly because it requires very little space. This bird can be raised in small enclosures.
Rhode Island dwarf males weights reach only about 1.5 kg, and hens - 1 kg. The egg production of this variety is about 140 pcs. in year. The eggs themselves in such a bird are quite small. They weigh about 40 grams. In terms of care, this variety is as unpretentious as the main one. Reviews of farmers dwarf rhode islands have earned very good. It is believed that this species is particularly well suited for breeding in suburban household plots.