Some roosters may be aggressive at times. The Rhode Island Red is known for its hardiness and its ability to handle marginal conditions while still producing eggs. The hens of this breed weigh over 6 pounds and the roosters over 8 pounds.
These birds are becoming rare as the breed is “improved” to meet industry needs. Of greatest conservation interest are the “old-type” Rhode Island Reds which are larger, darker, and more broody. Since the 1940’s, the Rhode Island Red has been selectively bred for more efficient egg production, becoming smaller, lighter colored, and less broody as a result. They can lay 200 – 300 eggs a year starting as early as six months of age.
These birds are very good layers of brown eggs, perhaps the best layers of all of the dual-purpose breeds. The originators of the Rhode Island Red wanted to create a bird that could lay a good number of eggs yet dress out nicely as a table bird.
