Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Red

The Rhode Island Red, developed in Rhode Island of all places, is a domesticated breed of chicken. Though once a quite popular variety, Rhode Island Reds have declined in number during the course of the 20th century,. They are now making a comeback with small farmers, and are listed as "Recovering" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

Rhode Island Reds are considered a "daul-purpose" bird. That means that they can be raised for both meat and eggs. As a breed, they are pretty great all around. They provide good meat, they lay amazingly well, and they are quite hardy to boot. One downside, however, is that they can become quite aggressive.

Since 1954, Rhode Island Reds have been listed as the state bird of Rhode Island. Interestingly, they are one of the only state birds not found in Audubons' Birds of America. This is because his masterful volume only covers wild species of bird. And even if it covered domestic fowl, the breed was only first worked on in 1830, which was at the tail end of Audubon's publication.

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Status : Domesticated, listed as Recovering by the ALBC

Location : Developed in the United States

Size : Weight up to 8lbs (3.6kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Gallus -- Species : G. gallus -- Subspecies : G. g. domesticus