Description
Rhode Island Red Chicken (Exhibition Type)
The single comb Rhode Island Red is a distinctly American breed. It was developed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and admitted to the Standard of Perfection in 1904. These old type Rhode Island Reds were large and blocky, with dark mahogany plumage. And the hens tended toward broodiness. At one time this was the most popular breed in the United States. Starting in the 1940s, Rhode Island Reds were selectively bred for more efficient egg production. Developing an efficient production breed involves an increase in laying and a decrease in both broodiness and body size, resulting in more eggs at less cost. With an increased focus on laying, the birds grew less docile. And with a reduced focus on the breed’s appearance, the plumage became a lighter shade of red. In 2019, Cackle Hatchery® began breeding the original exhibition type. We acquired our start from Rhode Island Red breeder Ruth Lee Caron. Her strain came from Grand Master Exhibitor Lloyd Flanagan of Texas. Flanagan has worked with his bloodline for more than 30 years and was inducted into the Rhode Island Red Club Hall of Fame in 2001. His bloodline maintains the original rich color, brick shape, docile nature, and broodiness. Exhibition Rhode Island Reds are popular in showrooms and often appear on Champion Row. If you are seeking a sharp-looking breed that will do well at exhibition, check out these single comb exhibition type Rhode Island Red chickens offered by Cackle Hatchery®.
We also offer the Rhode Island Red (Production Type)
Many people who like this breed of chicken also like the miniature version of the breed (bantam) the Rhode Island Red Bantam Chicken.
We also have the Rhode Island Red Started Pullet (Production Type) available to order.
We also offer at limited times of the year Rhode Island Red Fertile Hatching Eggs (Production Type)
Cackle Hatchery® now offers the single comb variety of the RIR Chicken (Exhibition Type) sold as fertilized eggs. To learn more about the difference between production type and exhibition type click here.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
| Date |
Available? |
| 2025-07-09 |
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| 2025-07-14 |
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| 2025-07-16 |
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| 2025-07-21 |
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| 2025-07-23 |
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| 2025-07-28 |
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| 2025-07-30 |
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| 2025-08-04 |
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| 2025-08-06 |
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| 2025-08-11 |
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| 2025-08-13 |
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| 2025-08-20 |
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| 2025-08-27 |
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| 2025-09-03 |
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| 2025-09-10 |
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| 2025-09-17 |
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| 2025-09-24 |
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| 2025-10-08 |
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| 2025-10-15 |
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| 2025-10-22 |
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| 2025-10-29 |
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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!