HISTORY OF STANDARD-BRED RHODE ISLAND REDS 



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E READ elsewhere how the advancement of the 

 R. I. Reds was pushed by the R. I. Red Club of 

 America. It is our desire to preserve here, for the 

 sake of future generations, the historical facts in 

 the origin and changes made in the R. I. Red 



regard to 

 Standard. 



The Reds were bred to comply with the club Standard 

 some years before they were admitted to the American 

 Poultry Association Standard of Perfection. 



We also note in the previous pages that at the club 

 meeting held at Fall River, Mass., in connection with the 

 poultry show, a club standard was discussed but no regular 

 standard was adopted. 



We are indebted to Mr. Geo. P. Coffin, Ex-Secretary of the 

 R. I. Red Club of America for the following standards of the 

 club; the first one as adopted in 1901 and the revision as 

 adopted in 1903. 



Standard for Rhode 

 Island Reds 



Adopted at the 

 meeting of the Ameri- 

 can Rhode Island Club, 

 in Boston, Mass., Jan- 

 uary 17, 1901. 



Shape — The shape 

 of both sexes is to con- 

 form to the general idea 

 of the American class, 

 without requiring the 

 distinctive contour of 

 the Plymouth Rock, or 

 the proportionately ful- 

 ler curves of the Wyan- 

 dotte. A long breast or 

 keel-bone is desirable, 

 and apparent vigor is 

 to be regarded equally 

 important with the con- 

 sideration of shape. 



A medium size of comb and of wattles is desirable. The 

 head should be of medium size and breadth. Symmetry of 

 proportion in head adjuncts to be considered. Two kinds 

 of comb are recognized — the single and rose — each to be 

 bred as a distinct variety. Shanks are to be free from down 

 or feathers; stout and shapely in form and length. 



CoLOB — The plumage color in the male is to be brilliant 

 or rich red throughout, except where black appears; this 

 general red color to be modified by the appearance of black 

 in tails and under portions of wing flights in either sex, and 

 a ticking of black in hackles of females. The undercolor is 

 to be red, salmon, or buff. The main tail feathers and the 

 two main sickle feathers are to be black or greenish black. 



The plumage of the female is to be lighter than that of 

 the male, with a bright reddish surface color and undercolor 

 free from slate or smut. The main tail feathers are to be 

 black. 



The comb, wattles and ear-lobes in either sex should be 

 of that bright red color which betokens a healthy condition. 



The eyes are to be red. 



The color of the shanks and toes is to be yellow or red- 



20 



A PAIR OF 1907 MODEL S. C. RHODE ISLAND REDS 

 While these models show the horizontal back called for by the 1910 Standard they 

 are somewhat short in back, and body. 



dish yellow, but the front of the shanks and the upper sur- 

 face of the toes may be modified by reddish horn color. The 

 beak is to be yellow or reddish horn color. 



Note — The especial aim of the promoters of this breed 

 being to conserve vigor and prolificacy rather than immacu- 

 late perfection of color, black may find its place in sections 

 enumerated; and the gradual fading of the red portions of 

 the mature hen's plumage, which naturally follows upon 

 prolific laying, shall not be discriminated against in the 

 placing of awards. 



Weights — Standard weights: Cock, 7i pounds; hen, 

 6 pounds; cockerel, 6 pounds; pullet, 4i pounds. 



Disqualifications — Diseased specimens, wholly white 

 ear-lobes, wry tail feathers, or down on shanks or toes, 

 crooked back or beak, and badly lopped combs. 



In 1903 the club made application to the American 

 Poultry Association to have the R. I Reds admitted as a 



Standard breed with the 

 following description; 



Digqualifleationg 



Feather or down on 

 shanks or feet, or un- 

 mistakable indications 

 of a feather having been 

 plucked from the same. 

 Badly lopped 

 combs. 



More than four toes 

 on either foot. 



Entire absence of 

 main tail feathers. 



Two absolutely 

 white (so-called wall or 

 fish) eyes. 



Wry or Squirrel 

 tails. 



A feather entirely 

 white that shows in the 

 outer plumage. 

 Ear-lobes showing more than one-half the surface per- 

 manently white. This does not mean the pale ear-lobes, but 

 the enamel white. 



Diseased Specimens— Crooked backs, deformed beaks, 

 shanks and feet other than yellow or red horn color. 

 A pendulous crop shall be cut hard. 

 Under all disqualifying clauses the specimen shall have 

 the benefit of the doubt. 



Standard Weight* 



Cock, 8i pounds. 

 Cockerel, TJ pounds. 

 Hen, 6i pounds. 

 Pullet, 5 pounds. 



Apparent vigor is to be regarded a.s important as the 

 consideration of shape. 



Shape of Male 



Head— Of medium size and breadth. 

 Beak — Short and regularly curved. 



Eyes— Sight perfect, and unobstructed by breadth of 

 head or comb. 



