Description
Rhode Island Red Chicken (Exhibition Type)
Breed History and Origin
The Single Comb Rhode Island Red is a classic American breed developed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1904. Early Rhode Island Reds were large, blocky birds with deep mahogany plumage and a natural tendency toward broodiness.
Beginning in the 1940s, the breed was heavily selected for egg production, resulting in smaller birds with lighter coloring and less emphasis on temperament and appearance.
In 2019, Cackle Hatchery® began restoring the original exhibition type Rhode Island Red, using foundation stock from breeder Ruth Lee Caron, whose line traces back to Grand Master Exhibitor Lloyd Flanagan of Texas. Flanagan’s bloodline, developed over more than 30 years, preserves the breed’s traditional characteristics and was recognized with his induction into the Rhode Island Red Club Hall of Fame in 2001.
Appearance and Exhibition Qualities
Exhibition-type Rhode Island Reds are known for their rich, dark mahogany plumage and strong, rectangular “brick” body shape. These birds are bred with a focus on:
- Deep, even coloration
- Broad, well-balanced frame
- Proper single comb and overall conformation
This classic look sets them apart from production strains, which tend to be lighter in color and more refined in body shape. Mature roosters typically weigh around 8 1/2 pounds, while hens average about 6 1/2 pounds.
Egg Production
While bred primarily for exhibition, these birds are still capable layers, producing approximately 200–250 large brown eggs per year. They provide a balance between traditional appearance and dependable egg production.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
Exhibition-type Rhode Island Reds tend to be more docile and calm compared to production strains. They are easier to handle and well suited for both backyard flocks and exhibition preparation.
Broodiness is more common in this line, making them a potential option for natural hatching.
Exhibition and Breeding Focus
These birds are bred specifically to maintain the original qualities of the breed, including:
- Deep mahogany color
- Classic body shape
- Traditional temperament
They are a popular choice in poultry shows and are often seen competing at a high level.
Availability and Related Options
Cackle Hatchery® also offers:
Additionally, the exhibition-type strain is available as fertilized hatching eggs at select times of the year.
Breeding and Management Notes
Fertility typically ranges from 65–80%, with a recommended mating ratio of 6 females to 1 male. These birds prefer roosting heights between 2 to 4 feet and adapt well to a variety of flock setups.
FAQ
What is the difference between exhibition and production Rhode Island Reds?
Exhibition types are bred for deep color, body shape, and show quality, while production types are bred for higher egg output and efficiency.
What color should exhibition Rhode Island Reds be?
They should have a rich, deep mahogany red color.
Are they good egg layers?
Yes, they produce around 200–250 large brown eggs per year.
Are they good for showing?
Yes, they are specifically bred for exhibition and often perform well in poultry shows.
Do they go broody?
Broodiness is more common in exhibition lines compared to production strains.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Jesse Walker –
Old school classic Rhode Island Red chickens. A 4-H kids DREAM!!! These are the RIR chickens that I wanted as a child but couldn’t get my hands on until I had kids later in life! These are our great, great, grandparent’s chickens, the real deal, the big, dark, beautiful, “brick shaped and colored” birds the old timers used to talk about that helped feed their families through the Great Depression. The cocks are docile and gentle with children, and the hens have been great layers. In past years, half of the pullets have been great layers, but our most recent flock has been “exceptional” in laying through the winter months and in every way true to the Standard of Perfection (flock shown in attached photo). It is well understood within the chicken community that White Leghorn Chickens and Rhode Island Reds have long lost their ability to set eggs. I can say this is no longer true, these hens may set eggs for you (see attached hen and chicks’ photo)!!!!! I have two hens that have set this year so far, and one has already hatched a clutch of chicks!!! This is simply unbelievable! These chickens are great for 4-H exhibition. My wife reviewed a few years ago under “Chorusof1” and at the time my oldest son had won two county shows in open class. He went on to win Open Class 3 separate times with different judges’ opinions every time! I have raised chickens for 40 plus years, and these are the birds I choose to keep on my homestead. Young fowl should be encouraged to “roost” at a young age, because they are beginning to lose the ability to roost when not encouraged. Hen pecking of roosters hasn’t been a problem because our hens respect these exhibition type cocks as gentle but strong protectors of the flocks. We’ve found that the roosters don’t strip our hens back feathers and our hens seem to get along in harmony. Keeping these birds with other types of large fowl has been somewhat problematic because other breeds of chickens have felt compelled to “pick” out their “red” blood feathers and pin feathers, which has been frustrating preparing for shows. They grow fairly slow, so their food benefit come from “flock culling” during the summer. They are plump, meaty, chickens that make fantastic homemade chicken noodle soup! A flock of 7 hens and 1 rooster have been the perfect homestead number for my family of five. I hope Cackle Hatchery can maintain them for many years to come and breed them true to their heritage. I recommend continuing to breed to the Standard of Perfection and keeping chicks from February hatchings for brood selections to ensure the parent stock hens continue to be good layers as well as meet their exhibition qualities. I am so happy that Cackle Hatchery was able to preserve these wonderful, beautiful, and useful multi-purpose chickens!
The ULTIMATE CHICKENS (My personal favorite):
Great Egg Layers
Exhibition 4-H Quality (true to Standard of Perfection)
Good Meat Carcas Qualities
Docile Around Children
Gentian Bridgeman –
I wish I would have ordered more. These are the sweetest, friendliest, most curious girls in my flock. They always greet me and allow me to pet them and pick them up.
Melissa Nowak –
Great looking birds. Ordered ours for my kids 4h project. Two blue ribbons. Will order again.
Theresa Pospichal –
I got one of these Exhibition-type Rhode Island Reds in a hatchery surprise box the first year they had them available–that rooster is still alive (six years?) later. I call him a good dog. He is the nicest chicken I’ve ever had. The kids and I can walk up to him, pick him up, and he’s calm as can be. Never has been aggressive, never too rough to hens–very gentlemanly calling the hens when he has found a good treat. I have since gotten three of these hens for him–they are nearly as lovely though not as friendly with people.
James Collins –
I got 4 of these hens. They are so much brighter than our hatchery Rhode islands, beautiful colors. We did process one early. She had, possibly, Gynandromorphism (closest explanation google provided) and was growing at a rate at least 50% than the rest and wasn’t friendly.
Brittany Van Horn –
I ordered 12 back in April, they are now about 4 months old. They are very hardy and healthy birds! The red is so dark and beautiful! They are not like any Rhode Island I have had in the past, very docile and calm manner! They are lap chickens!!! I got more babies growing out as we speak bc I wanted more!
ccorbitt74 –
Hardy breed with a lot of personality. I love my bantams and they are doing well foraging with our jubilee Orpingtons and Buckeyes.
Jason Hatfield –
Just picked up 10 of these. They sent 11. All have been vibrant and healthy. They look big and strong already at just 1 week old. They have large, wide skulls…a good sign so far. Can’t wait to see them grown out!
Jack Wilson –
I ordered 25 chicks and received 27. They are a beautiful deep mahogany and are way stouter than other Rhode Island Reds I’ve ordered from other hatcheries. Would 100% recommend and I plan to continue using cackle in the future. My one complaint is that one chick had cross beak and died. All remaining 26 are healthy and growing.
chorusof1 –
My son has won Best of Show at our county fair the last two years straight with his Rhode Island Reds from Cackle! Along with Champion and Reserve Champion in the American class AND large fowl. The judge went out of his way to tell us how great these birds were.
BamaFan50 –
I have owned or been around all kinds of chickens my whole life (50 years). These are my favorite of all. Sweet and friendly. I don’t have the time I would like to have to spend around them but these don’t care they are the calmest birds I have ever owned. Plan to order some more in 2023.
Joseph G Evans –
Very healthy and active as chick, big beautiful calm flock members, ordered 2 years ago and highly recommend, roos have a large comb for my norther climate but manageable.
plumcrazy1469 –
THESE ARE THE MOST “CHILL”, SWEET, CHICKENS I HAVE OWNED WITHOUT SPENDING MANY HOURS PAMPERING THEM…THEY ARE NATURALLY CALM. I MUST BE CAREFUL WHEN WALKING NEAR THEM AS THEY GET “UNDER FOOT” VERY EASILY….THESE ARE MY ALL TIME FAVORITE NOW….JUST LOVE THEM!!!.OH, AND THE BEAUTIFUL DEEP MAHOGANY COLOR IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE. JUST STUNNING!!.SO HAPPY THAT I PURCHASED THESE…THANKS CACKLE HATCHERY FOR HAVING THEM AVAILABLE.
audra oldham –
These are really dark red old fashioned type RIR. They have such adorable personality. The roos are not really aggressive but a few decided to try it once or twice as they got older. These birds are huge. Seriously huge. The roos are every bit 11 lbs. This is also a bit of a downside for the breed. They need a lot of feed and room to roam to be productive. I found this to be true with several large bodied chickens. So I do recommend these Heritage RIR because they are really cool birds but make sure they have lots of yard. It will help keep from spending a lot on bag feed. They lay on par with other heritage breeds. Not as prolific as say the New Hampshire but on par with Sussex.
Thomas Tribble –
Very satisfied with these exhibition Rhode island reds! They have been good healthy birds. I really like the quality they are. This is also the first time we ordered from Cackle Hatchery. I’m very impressed with them. We ordered 20 straight run of these RIR’s and they sent us 3 extras! We only have 6 males. We will definitely be ordering from Cackle in the future! I certainly recommend the exhibition Rhode island reds and recommend Cackle Hatchery!