STANDARD VARIETIES OF CHICKENS. 
17 
THE RHODE ISLAND RED. 
The Rhode Island Red (figs. 12 and 13) is one of the newer breeds 
which have been developed in this country. At the present time it 
bears an excellent reputation among the farmers and is kept very 
extensively throughout the farming districts. The breed originated 
in Rhode Island, where it was developed by the farmers engaged in 
poultry raising. The Malay, Buff Cochin, Buff Leghorn, and Wyan¬ 
dotte are said to have been used in its development. 
In type the Rhode Island Red has a rather long, rectangular body 
and is somewhat rangier in appearance than the Plymouth Rock or 
Fig. 13.—Rhode Island Red, female. 
the Wyandotte. The hens are prolific layers of brown-shelled eggs, 
and the breed makes a very suitable table fowl, having yellow legs 
and yellow skin. The Rhode Island Reds have enjoyed an excellent 
reputation for hardiness, which, in the main, they have well deserved. 
The standard weights for this breed are; Cock, 81 pounds, hen, 6^ 
pounds; cockerel, 7^ pounds; pullet, 5 pounds. 
There are two varieties of the Rhode Island Red which are iden¬ 
tical in color and type, but one of which has a single comb and the 
other a rose comb. 
