Rhode Island White
The Rhode Island White is a moderately-sized, completely white bird with the males weighing 8.5 pounds and females 6.5 pounds. They have long, broad, and deep bodies that are carried horizontally, giving them an oblong and brick-like appearance. Their breasts are deep, full, and well-rounded. Their heads are fairly deep and inclined to be flat on top rather than round. They have a bright red rose comb, wattles, and oblong earlobes, reddish-bay eyes, yellow legs and feet, and yellow beak.
 Rhode Island White hen | |
| Other names | Rhode Islands |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Use | Dual purpose layer breed |
| Skin colour | Yellow |
| Egg colour | Brown |
| Classification | |
| APA | American |
They lay 200-250+ large/jumbo light brown-to-dark brown eggs per year, and are excellent layers of winter eggs. They do not tend to go broody. They also have a reputation as good meat fowl.
They do well in both warm and cold climates. They are friendly with people, but like their “space” with other chickens, and can be a bit assertive with more docile breeds. It is best to make sure that your coop gives them plenty of room to move around, nest, and roost. They do fine in confinement and are also good free-range birds that can forage for a lot of their food if given the opportunity, so this all-purpose chicken is a good choice for a family farm.
Unfortunately, the Rhode Island White has been declining in numbers, so it needs new stewards to help preserve this wonderful American breed.
History
Rhode Island Whites arose from the work of J. Alonzo Jocoy of Peacedale, Rhode Island, which began in 1888. Developed through crosses of Partridge Cochins, White Wyandottes, and the rose comb type of White Leghorn, it was solidified as a breed by 1903. It was first accepted into the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1922. Moderately popular up until the 1960s, it is now a relatively rare fowl. It is listed on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy as a breed to watch, with less than 3,000 birds known to have existed circa 2003. Like most standard breeds, it also appears in a bantam variety.
Characteristics
Rhode Island Whites are a dual-purpose fowl suitable for both meat and egg production. Males weigh 8.5 pounds (3.9 kilos) and hens weigh 6.5 pounds (3 kilos). They have a single variety, with pure white plumage, red wattles and earlobes, and a medium size rose comb.
References
- Ekarius, Carol (2007). Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58017-667-5.
- "Rhode Island White Chicken". albc-usa.org. American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- Bishop, James (2012). Australian Poultry Standards. Victoria, Australia: Victoria Poultry Fanciers Association Limited. ISBN 9781921488238.
