Introdudory 



' F EVER a breed has been blest by being pushed by a loyal lot of fanciers and breeders, it is the Rhode Island 

 Red. These same breeders tell us the breed itself has won its own popularity and overcome almost insur- 

 mountable obstacles in the way of prejudice, etc., by its grand utility qualities. 



American breeders have in the past originated and perfected two grand breeds, viz., the Plymouth 

 Rocks and the Wyandottes — both of them great favorites. To produce another breed that would possess 

 the grand utility qualities of these two and also prove popular as a fancier's fowl seemed a herculean 

 task but our New England fanciers and breeders, showing the indomitable spirit of their forefathers and 

 being ably assisted by breeders in other parts of the country, went at the task knowing they had a fowl that would 

 meet all the requirements of both the utility and the fancy in this country. 



The Rhode Island Red, we might say, was unconsciously originated or made. The breeders of Rhode Island and 

 especially those around Little Compton and some of the other little seaport towns, who are given credit for producing it, 

 had no intention of producing a new breed of pcfultry. What they wanted was vigor with no thought of uniformity of 

 shape or color and they soon noticed that the chickens sired by the "red roosters'' were the ones having vigor and 

 stamina. These "red roosters" were game cocks brought in by the incoming sailing vessels, mostly from Malay. 



Not only were they the favorite breeders for the farmers, but their fighting characteristics soon enabled them to drive 

 the other male birds to cover and it was merely a case of "the survival of the fittest." 



It is our opinion that the R. I. Red females are uneven in color because no attention was given to breeding for color 

 in the early days. The main effort was put forth to secure a "red rooster" and it seems reasonable to think this fact alone 

 explains why the males of today not only hold their color better but also average better in other ways. 



All Red breeders seem proud of the fact that the Red is the result of an out-cross. Whether color and type can be 

 improved by continued out-crossing remains to be seen. We are under the impression that color can be improved only 

 by what is known as line breeding, and when that is resorted to, great care must be taken not to sacrifice their strong point, 

 vigor. 



Since the Reds were admitted to the Standard by the American Poultry Association, their popularity as an exhibition 

 or fancy fowl has rapidly increased. Great improvement in type and color has been made and with the many capable and 

 experienced breeders who are handling them today, we see no reason why they should not continue to improve. 



The history of the breed appearing herein was written after exhaustive research and after corresponding with the most 

 prominent breeders, men, who have known the Reds since boyhood. The quotations we have used are the opinions of the 

 majority of Red breeders and we are therefore presenting to our readers a history of both the single and rose-comb varieties 

 which is absolutely authentic and reliable, as far as we have been able to ascertain. 



The Reds are known for their early maturity and egg-laying qualities, which are explained in the various articles through- 

 out the book. The articles on mating and breeding were written by men who have made a study of them and have proved 

 it by the birds they have produced. 



The illustrations, furnished by artigt Schilling, representing the perfect or Standard specimens, were selected by the 

 R. I. Red Club of America as the club Standard and published in their club catalogue. By their kind permission they are 

 reproduced herein. Mr. Schilling has been wonderfully successful in illustrating R. I. Reds of which from every side, is 

 heard nothing but praise and we know that the illustrative work of this book cannot but please our many R. I. Red friends. 



Judge Drevenstedt's article upon judging Reds by comparison is well worth careful study. Being one of the oldest 

 and best known judges in America today his opinion is invaluable and he has brought out many strong points. His com- 

 parison record card is a great improvement over the old method of making notations upon the coop tags and judges who 

 try this seldom go back to the old system. 



If the reader will study the drawings of artist Schilling together with the defects and cuts set forth in the judging article, 

 we think that the youngest amateur will be able to select his best exhibition specimens. 



The popularity of the R. I. Reds as an exhibition fowl is shown in the article under that heading and in addition we 

 will say that for the season of 1908-09, in competition for breed Standards, aside from the Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes 

 which were out of the contest, having previously won their breed Standard, the Reds stood second on the list as a popular 

 exhibition fowl. The Leghorns on exhibition were more numerous, but there are many different varieties of Leghorns, both 

 rose and single comb, while the Reds have only two. 



The various R. I. Red clubs are doing good work for the breed and we hope they may continue to work in harmony 

 with each other using every fair means to place the Reds on the top round of the ladder of popularity. 



D. E. HALE. 



