Heat kills chickens but flock owners can protect their birds by taking a lesson from Theodore Roosevelt.

When an intense heat wave descended on New York City in the summer of 1896 millions of people lived crammed together in tenements. Around 1500 died from the extreme heat. Roosevelt was then a little-known police commissioner who did two things that saved human lives.

He ordered the fire department to spray water in the streets and on tenement buildings.  It lowered the temperature a few degrees. And, ice. In that era before refrigeration, tenement dwellers couldn’t afford to buy ice. Roosevelt gave them tons of it, helping them cool down. He saved peoples’ lives.

In many ways chickens are like people. Both are more vulnerable to heat than cold.

Extreme heat kills around 489,000 people worldwide each year and an unknown, but probably huge, number of chickens. People are luckier than chickens. They can wear shorts and a tee shirt and sweat. Sweating helps cool the body. People can also ride out heat waves in air-conditioned comfort. In contrast, chickens are stuck wearing insulating feathers and can’t sweat. They need help surviving a heat wave.

Protecting Chickens from Extreme Heat

Flock owners need to protect their birds when the temperature climbs into the 90s or higher with nearly unbearable humidity. Here’s what can be done to keep the hens cool.

Shade:  A leafy tree towering over the coop and run casts cooling shade.

Shade structures, like the ones pictured, can be put in an otherwise sunny run.

Water:  Chickens pant on hot days. Air moving across their moist throats cools them. So, they need to drink often. Keep plenty of cool clean water in the coop and run.

Dirt:  When it is hot chickens snuggle down and press their chests into the cool earth. Keeping loose bare soil under shade structures helps them do this and also serves as a place for an occasional luxurious dust bath.

Ventilation:  Mosquito netting on coop windows often gets clogged with dust.  Brush it off to help air move past roosting birds. On hot calm nights chickens appreciate an artificial breeze created by an electric fan. Battery powered fans will run most of the night in coops that lack electricity.

Mist.  Theodore Roosevelt cooled tenements a few degrees by spraying water on them.  That works for chicken coops. Use a garden hose to wet down the roof and exterior walls.

Space: People died in tenements because they were crammed together. Chickens crammed together also suffer. Give them plenty of space.

Movement:  Both chicken and human muscles heat up when they are disturbed and forced to move. Calm birds stay cooler. Avoid startling them. If birds have to be moved, wait for a cool day.

Chickens are tropical animals that have an amazing ability to survive winter’s chill.  They often suffer in intense heat. To keep them alive, happy, and productive keep them cool.

Some Founding Flocks breeds get by on their looks. The Jersey Giant gets by on sheer size. Developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s, it is exactly what the name promises: the biggest chicken most backyard Keepers will ever raise. Part five of our Founding Flocks series belongs to the gentle giant of the American backyard.

Top 3 Takeaways

• Built to be the biggest. Developed in New Jersey specifically to be one of the largest breeds in the country, and it still holds that reputation today.
• Slow and steady. Jersey Giants take about six months to reach full size, longer than most backyard breeds, but the wait produces a bird built to last.
• Gentle despite the size. Despite an imposing frame, Jersey Giants are calm and friendly, easy to handle even for families with kids.

The 7 founding breeds of the American backyard

We are profiling seven breeds as a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Here is the full All-American lineup, with five down and two to go:

• Dominique. America’s oldest breed, traced to roughly 1750. Featured in Part 1. https://flockjourney.com/7-classic-american-chicken-breeds-to-raise-for-americas-250th-birthday/
• Rhode Island Red. The late-1800s layer that parented half the modern hen house. Featured in Part 2. https://flockjourney.com/rhode-island-red-the-all-american-hen-behind-half-your-favorite-layers/
• Barred Plymouth Rock. The black-and-white farm classic, about 250 large brown eggs a year. Featured in Part 3. https://flockjourney.com/america-250-series-part-3-barred-plymouth-rock/
• An American original from New York, known for laced feathers and a cold-friendly rose comb. Featured in Part 4. https://flockjourney.com/founding-flocks-part-4-the-wyandotte/
• Jersey Giant. Born in New Jersey and still one of the largest breeds you can keep. Profiled below.
• New Hampshire. Refined in New England from Rhode Island Red stock for faster growth and dependable laying. Up next.
• Developed in 1940 in the state it is named for. About 260 large brown eggs a year.

Breed of the Week: The Jersey Giant

If the Wyandotte proved an American breed could be beautiful and tough, the Jersey Giant proved one could simply be enormous.

The Jersey Giant was developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s with one goal in mind: build the largest, most impressive dual-purpose chicken the country had seen. More than a century later, it still wears that title. Walk up to a full-grown Jersey Giant next to almost any other backyard breed, and the size difference does the talking.

What makes the Jersey Giant great

Size.  This is the breed’s calling card. A mature Jersey Giant runs about 8 to 9 pounds, among the largest weights of any backyard breed we carry, with a broad, deep-bodied frame that fills out a coop doorway.

Temperament.  For a bird this size, the Jersey Giant is remarkably easy going. It is calm and friendly, which makes it a good fit for families, including ones with kids who want to be around the flock.

Growth.  Jersey Giants are slow maturing, taking about six months to reach full size. That is longer than most breeds on this list, and it is part of the trade for a bird built this substantial.

Eggs.  Expect about 240 large brown eggs a year, a steady, dependable output from a dual-purpose bird that was never bred to be just a layer.

Comb.  A single comb, standard across the Jersey Giant varieties.

One breed, three colors

Hoover’s carries the Jersey Giant in three varieties. All three share the breed’s defining size and gentle temperament, and differ mainly in plumage:

• Black Jersey Giant. The original color the breed is best known for, sharing the same imposing size and calm demeanor as its Blue and White counterparts.
• Blue Jersey Giant. The same large, impressive build in striking blue feathers. Slow maturing at about six months, a moderate layer of about 240 extra-large brown eggs a year, with a mature weight of about 8 to 9 pounds.
• White Jersey Giant. Smooth, pure white plumage over the same broad, muscular frame, laying about 240 large brown eggs a year, with a mature weight running about 6 to 9 pounds.

Where to find Jersey Giants

The Jersey Giant is part of Hoover’s complete selection of backyard breeds. You can browse the full lineup and order at hoovershatchery.com, and you will find the whole Founding Flocks series, plus breed guides for every stage of keeping, on FlockJourney.

Frequently asked questions about the Jersey Giant

How big do Jersey Giants get?  Jersey Giants are one of the largest chicken breeds you can keep. Mature weight runs about 8 to 9 pounds, depending on variety.

How long do Jersey Giants take to mature?  About six months, longer than most backyard breeds.

What color eggs do Jersey Giants lay?  Jersey Giants lay brown eggs.

How many eggs do Jersey Giants lay a year?  About 240 large brown eggs a year, with some variety-to-variety difference in egg size.

Are Jersey Giants good with families and kids?  Yes. Despite their size, Jersey Giants are calm and friendly, and they handle well around families.

Where was the Jersey Giant developed?  The Jersey Giant was developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s and bred to be one of the largest chicken breeds in the country.

A giant worth celebrating

There is something fitting about a breed this ambitious showing up on a list built for America’s 250th. The Jersey Giant was not bred to be just one more farm chicken. It was meant to be the biggest one, and it fits perfectly in your backyard flock.

Coming up next

Next, we head back to New England for the breed built for speed and dependability: the New Hampshire. Until then, a big bird in the backyard is waiting for you. Learn more or add them to your flock now at hoovershatchery.com:

https://www.hoovershatchery.com/black-jersey-giant

https://www.hoovershatchery.com/white-jersey-giant

https://www.hoovershatchery.com/Blue-Jersey-Giant

FlockJourney is brought to you by Hoover’s Hatchery, the nationwide leader in backyard poultry. For more than 80 years, Hoover’s has lived its values of Excellence, Tenacity, Servitude, Humility, and Ingenuity while focused on backyard poultry. From chickens, ducks, and pheasants, to turkeys, geese, guineas, quail, bantams, and rare breeds, Hoover’s has the complete selection and quality genetics Keepers trust. Find Hoover’s chicks at your local farm store or shop online at hoovershatchery.com.

Some American breeds came over with the settlers. The Wyandotte came from here. Developed in New York and named for the Wyandot people, it is a true American original, a breed Americans created rather than imported. Week four of our Founding Flocks series belongs to the bird that wears lace and shrugs off winter.

Top 3 Takeaways

• An American original. The Wyandotte was developed in New York, which makes it one of the breeds that America can call its own creation rather than an import.
• Built for cold. A low rose comb that resists frostbite and a dense, well-rounded body make it one of the most winter-hardy breeds in the backyard. It keeps laying when the weather turns.
• Beautiful and useful. Best known for its laced feathers, the Silver Laced Wyandotte lays about 245 cream-colored eggs a year on a calm, friendly 5 to 6 pound frame.

The 7 founding breeds of the American backyard

We are profiling one a week from now until America’s 250th birthday. Here is the full All-American lineup, with four down and three to go:

• Dominique. America’s oldest breed, traced to roughly 1750. Calm, sociable, and bred to last. The fastest way to tell it from a Barred Rock is the rose comb. Lays about 245 medium brown eggs a year. It’s the subject of our first feature below.
• Rhode Island Red. Developed in the late 1800s in the country’s smallest state and now famous worldwide, laying around 265 eggs a year and parenting half the hybrids in the modern hen house. Two out of three keepers in our survey have raised one. No other breed on this list comes close.
• Barred Plymouth Rock. The black-and-white striped farm hen most people picture when they hear the word “chicken.” Tight feathering, a broad deep chest, and a steady, unbothered temperament. About 250 large brown eggs a year.
• Wyandotte. An American original, known for laced feathers that look almost frosted and a cold-friendly rose comb. A handsome dual-purpose bird that shrugs off winter.
• Jersey Giant. Born in New Jersey and still one of the largest breeds you can keep. Slow to mature, at about six months, but gentle, friendly, and a steady source of large brown eggs.
• New Hampshire. Refined in New England from Rhode Island Red stock for faster growth and dependable laying. A quiet, no-drama dual-purpose bird.
• Delaware. Developed in 1940 in the state it is named for. White with black-laced hackles, quick to mature, calm, and good for about 260 large brown eggs a year.

Breed of the Week: The Wyandotte

If the Rhode Island Red modernized the American backyard and the Barred Rock defined how it looked, the Wyandotte proved an American breed could be both gorgeous and tough.

The Wyandotte is an American original in the truest sense: a breed shaped on this soil for this climate. From the start it was a dual-purpose farm bird meant to take a northern winter without missing a beat, and more than a century later that is still exactly what it does.

What makes the Wyandotte great

Temperament.  Wyandottes are calm, friendly birds. They settle into a backyard flock without fuss, which makes them an easy choice for families and first-time Keepers alike.

Eggs.  A Silver Laced Wyandotte lays about 245 cream-colored eggs a year, and it keeps laying through the winter when many breeds slow down.

Cold hardiness.  This is the Wyandotte’s signature. Its low rose comb has less surface to freeze, and its dense, well-rounded body holds heat. The catalog calls the Wyandotte one of the most winter-hardy breeds, and northern Keepers have leaned on it for generations.

Looks.  Few backyard birds are as striking. The laced pattern, a clean base color edged with a darker outline on every feather, gives the Wyandotte an almost frosted, tailored look.

Build.  At a mature 5 to 6 pounds, the Silver Laced Wyandotte is an easy size to manage and sturdy enough to be a true dual-purpose bird.

One breed, a closet full of colors

Part of the Wyandotte’s appeal is how many ways it comes. Hoover’s carries a full run of varieties, each tracing the same laced pattern in a different palette:

• Silver Laced Wyandotte. The original. A crisp silver base edged in black, about 245 cream eggs a year on a 5 to 6 pound frame.
• Gold Laced Wyandotte. The same laced look in warm gold, about 245 cream eggs a year.
• Columbian Wyandotte. White with a black-edged neck and one of the most winter-hardy of the bunch, about 200 cream eggs a year.
• Blue Laced Red Wyandotte. Rich red feathers edged in soft blue, about 200 cream eggs a year.

Where to find Wyandottes

Wyandottes are a Founding Flocks favorite for good reason, and they are part of Hoover’s complete selection of backyard breeds. You can browse the full lineup and order at hoovershatchery.com, and you will find the whole Founding Flocks series, plus breed guides for every stage of keeping, on FlockJourney.

Frequently asked questions about the Wyandotte

Where did the Wyandotte chicken come from?  The Wyandotte was developed in New York and is considered an American original. It is named for the Wyandot people and was bred as a dual-purpose farm chicken suited to cold climates.

Are Wyandottes cold hardy?  Yes. The Wyandotte is one of the most winter-hardy backyard breeds. Its low rose comb resists frostbite and its dense, rounded body holds heat, so it keeps laying through cold weather.

How many eggs do Wyandottes lay?  A Silver Laced Wyandotte lays about 245 cream-colored eggs a year. Egg numbers vary by variety, with most Wyandottes laying between about 200 and 245 eggs a year.

What color eggs do Wyandottes lay?  Wyandottes lay cream-colored eggs.

What is the difference between Wyandotte varieties?  Wyandottes share the same laced feather pattern and calm temperament but come in different colors, including Silver Laced, Gold Laced, Columbian, and Blue Laced Red. Mature weights run about 5 to 8 pounds depending on the variety.

Coming up next…

Next week we meet a bird that grows fast and lays dependably, all while catching your eye with its beautiful coloring: the Jersey Giant. Until then, Wyandottes are ready for your backyard. Learn more or add them to your flock at www.hoovershatchery.com/

FlockJourney is brought to you by Hoover’s Hatchery, the nationwide leader in backyard poultry. For more than 80 years, Hoover’s has lived its values of Excellence, Tenacity, Servitude, Humility, and Ingenuity while 100% focused on backyard poultry. From chickens, ducks, and pheasants, to turkeys, geese, guineas, quail, bantams, and rare breeds, Hoover’s has the best variety and the highest quality genetics in the industry. Find Hoover’s chicks at your local farm store or shop online at www.hoovershatchery.com

Want to try an amazingly productive yet unusual chicken with a fascinating history?

The California Grey might be just right.

What Makes California Grey Chickens Unique?

California Grey’s are oddballs. Most families tending backyard flocks prefer brown egg laying, large bodied breeds and hybrids. California Grey’s look like Barred Rocks with the distinctive barred feather pattern that gives them a name shared by a common night bird, the Barred Owl. Some poultry fanciers call the color pattern “cuckoo”.

Glace at a California Grey hen and it would be easy to assume it’s a slimmed down Barred Rock. Look in the nest and you’ll find white eggs!

Why We Added California Grey Chickens to Our Flock

For several years we’ve wanted to add California Greys to our flock, but the hybrid was nearly extinct and chicks weren’t easy to find. That changed when Hoover’s Hatchery began offering them. Now we can give them a try.

The History of the California Grey Chicken

Back in the 1930s poultry breeder Horace Dryden developed the California Grey by crossing a Barred Rock male with a White Leghorn female. Chicks were autosexing, meaning that females develop the barring while males sport white feathers.

Interestingly a much more common hybrid, the California White, was developed by crossing a male California Grey rooster with a White Leghorn hen.

Why Was the California Grey Developed?

Dryden was attempting to develop a type of dual-purpose chicken that would lay white eggs and still have a big enough body to make a meaty meal. California Greys are a bit small for efficient meat production but the hens are likely the most productive white egg layer that does not have white feathers. They are physically active but are usually slightly less flighty than Leghorns

The Story Behind White Eggs vs. Brown Eggs

There may be another reason why Dryden developed the California Grey. “Where I grew up in New Hampshire, before efficient transportation and refrigeration, it was commonly believed that white-shelled eggs were shipped in from the Midwest and were old. Brown-shelled ones were local and probably fresher. I don’t know if that was true or not but it was believed,” said Marion Patterson. “Also, Yankees probably just preferred Our New Hampshire and Rhode Island Reds,” she added wryly.

In other regions shoppers bought white eggs believing that brown shelled ones were older. Dryden likely developed a hen that would help farmers in some places produce eggs local consumers preferred.

Today most commercial grocery store eggs are shipped in from a long distance. No matter their shell color, eggs produced by a backyard flock are absolutely fresh.

Why Add White Egg Layers to a Backyard Flock?

Since backyard flock owners tend to prefer brown eggs, why include a few white egg layers in the flock?  We’ve found two reasons. First, a couple of white eggs in a carton otherwise filled with brown ones of different tints adds interest and beauty to a superb food. Second, production type Leghorns, California Whites, and Greys often outlay common brown egg laying dual purpose breeds. They are egg laying dynamos.

Is the California Grey Chicken Right for You?

Adding a few California Greys to a backyard flock connects people to an interesting historic hybrid that lays like fury.

Close your eyes and picture a chicken. Odds are you just pictured this one. The black-and-white striped hen scratching around the barnyard is the Barred Plymouth Rock, and for the better part of a century it was the most common chicken in America. Week three of our America 250 series belongs to the bird that became the picture of the American backyard.

Top 3 Takeaways

• It’s the chicken everyone pictures. The barred black-and-white hen is the storybook American farm chicken, and it was one of the most popular breeds in the country for generations.
• It does a little of everything. About 250 large brown eggs a year, a famously gentle temperament, a sturdy 5 to 6 pound frame, and the hardiness to keep laying through a northern winter.
• It’s related to last week’s breed. Cross a Barred Plymouth Rock hen with a Rhode Island Red rooster and you get the Black Sex-Link, one of the most popular backyard layers there is.

The 7 founding breeds of the American backyard

We’re profiling one per week from now until America’s 250th birthday. Here’s the full All-American lineup, with three down and four to go:

• Dominique. America’s oldest breed, traced to roughly 1750. Calm, sociable, and bred to last. The fastest way to tell it from a Barred Rock is the rose comb. Lays about 245 medium brown eggs a year. It’s the subject of our first feature below.
• Rhode Island Red. Developed in the late 1800s in the country’s smallest state and now famous worldwide, laying around 265 eggs a year and parenting half the hybrids in the modern hen house. Two out of three keepers in our survey have raised one. No other breed on this list comes close.
• Barred Plymouth Rock. The black-and-white striped farm hen most people picture when they hear the word “chicken.” Tight feathering, a broad deep chest, and a steady, unbothered temperament. About 250 large brown eggs a year.
• Wyandotte. An American original, known for laced feathers that look almost frosted and a cold-friendly rose comb. A handsome dual-purpose bird that shrugs off winter.
• Jersey Giant. Born in New Jersey and still one of the largest breeds you can keep. Slow to mature, at about six months, but gentle, friendly, and a steady source of large brown eggs.
• New Hampshire. Refined in New England from Rhode Island Red stock for faster growth and dependable laying. A quiet, no-drama dual-purpose bird.
• Delaware. Developed in 1940 in the state it is named for. White with black-laced hackles, quick to mature, calm, and good for about 260 large brown eggs a year.

Breed of the Week: The Barred Plymouth Rock

If the Rhode Island Red modernized the American backyard, the Barred Plymouth Rock defined what it looked like.

Developed in New England in the mid-1800s, the Plymouth Rock became the all-American farm chicken, the bird on the storybook farm and in the family flock, common from New England barnyards to homesteads out west. Its calling cards were a friendly disposition and a reliable delivery of brown eggs, and that combination made it the most kept breed in the country for generations.

What makes the Barred Plymouth Rock great

Temperament. Barred Rocks are calm, friendly, and easygoing, the kind of bird that follows you around the run and loves a child’s hug. That temperament is so reliable that breeders cross specifically for it. The Black Sex-Link is built to carry the Barred Rock’s personality forward.

Eggs. Expect about 250 large brown eggs a year, laid steadily, including through the short dark days of winter when many breeds slow down. That’s a dependable basket from a breed that’s been earning its keep on American farms for more than a century.

Build. At a sturdy 5 to 6 pounds with a single comb and unmistakable crisp black-and-white barring, the Barred Rock looks classic: a rounded shape and a broad, deep chest that reads as solid and well-proportioned. It’s hardy in the cold and easy to keep.

The bird behind more birds than you’d think

Like the Rhode Island Red, the Barred Plymouth Rock is a foundation breed, the kind others come from. Cross a Barred Rock hen with a Rhode Island Red rooster and you get the Black Sex-Link, a versatile brown egg layer that carries the Barred Rock’s gentle temperament and the Red’s winter grit. Cross the Barred Rock with a White Leghorn and you get the California Grey, a barred white-egg layer. Pair it with a Blue Australorp and you get the striking Blue Plymouth. The bird everyone pictures turns out to be the bird everyone builds on.

Last week we told you the Rhode Island Red rooster parents half the modern hen house. Here’s where that story comes back around: cross that same rooster with a Barred Plymouth Rock hen and you get the Black Sex-Link. Put the two together and you’ve met the parents of one of the most popular layers in the backyard.

Barred Plymouth Rock or Dominique? How to tell them apart

The Barred Plymouth Rock and our week 1 breed, the Dominique, are commonly confused due to very similar appearances. Here’s one way to tell them apart:

A Barred Plymouth Rock has a single comb and crisp, clearly defined black-and-white bars that run clean across each feather. A Dominique has a rose comb that sits low and flat against the head, with softer, more staggered barring often called cuckoo. Check the comb first: upright and single means Rock, low and flat means Dominique.

Who the Barred Plymouth Rock is for

If this is your first flock, the Barred Rock is one of the best beginner birds there is: calm, hardy, forgiving, and a steady layer while you find your footing.

If you have a family, it’s gentle enough to be a favorite with kids and recognizable enough to be the chicken your children draw.

And if you just want the classic, this is the bird that defined the American backyard, the one everyone pictures when they picture a chicken.

FAQ

What is the Barred Plymouth Rock known for?

Its distinctive black-and-white barred plumage and its role as the classic American farm chicken. The Barred Plymouth Rock is a calm, hardy breed that lays about 250 large brown eggs a year.

How many eggs does a Barred Plymouth Rock lay per year?

About 250 large brown eggs a year, laid steadily, including through the winter when many breeds slow down.

Are Barred Plymouth Rocks good for beginners?

Yes. They are calm, friendly, hardy, and dependable layers, which makes them one of the best breeds for first-time keepers and families.

Where did the Barred Plymouth Rock come from?

The Plymouth Rock was developed in New England in the mid-1800s and became the most common farm chicken in America for generations.

How do you tell a Barred Plymouth Rock from a Dominique?

Check the comb. A Barred Plymouth Rock has a single comb and crisp barring, while a Dominique has a low, flat rose comb and softer, more staggered barring.

What breeds come from the Barred Plymouth Rock?

The Barred Rock is a parent of several popular crosses, including the Black Sex-Link (with a Rhode Island Red rooster), the California Grey (with a White Leghorn), and the Blue Plymouth (with a Blue Australorp).

Raise a piece of American history

At Hoover’s Hatchery, we think there’s no better way to celebrate America 250 than starting or growing a flock of your own. The Barred Plymouth Rock is about as American as a chicken gets. It’ll fill your basket, charm your kids, and put the most recognizable bird in the country in your own backyard.

Coming up next…

Next week we meet an American original known for its beautiful laced feathers and a rose comb built for cold country: the Wyandotte. Until then, the Barred Plymouth Rock is ready for your backyard. Learn more or add them to your flock at www.hoovershatchery.com/barred-plymouth-rock

FlockJourney is brought to you by Hoover’s Hatchery, the nationwide leader in backyard poultry. For more than 80 years, Hoover’s has lived its values of Excellence, Tenacity, Servitude, Humility, and Ingenuity while 100% focused on backyard poultry. From chickens, ducks, and pheasants, to turkeys, geese, guineas, quail, bantams, and rare breeds, Hoover’s has the best variety and the highest quality genetics in the industry. Find Hoover’s chicks at your local farm store or shop online at www.hoovershatchery.com.

Top 3 Takeaways

• The Rhode Island Red is America’s most-raised backyard hen. In a recent Hoover’s survey of 253 backyard keepers, 66% had raised one. That’s two of every three keepers, and no other brown egg layer comes close.
• You may already be raising its descendants. The Red Star, Black Sex-Link, Cinnamon Queen, and ISA Brown all trace back to a Rhode Island Red parent, and the New Hampshire was refined straight from Rhode Island Red stock. One breed from one small state is the genetic backbone of the modern hen house.
• It delivers exactly what keepers say they want. About 265 large brown eggs a year, a gentle temperament, and the cold hardiness to lay through an Iowa winter. When keepers choose a laying breed, 65% rank production reliability first and 56% rank cold and heat hardiness. The Rhode Island Red checks every box.

The breed from the smallest state that changed everything

Last week we started before the beginning, with the Dominique, the oldest chicken in America. This week we jump ahead about a century to the breed that reshaped the American backyard from the ground up.

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the union, but the bird developed there in the late 1800s made some of the biggest changes in the history of chicken keeping. The Rhode Island Red could lay about 265 eggs a year at a time when that kind of output was almost unheard of, and word traveled fast. Within a generation it was famous worldwide, and breeders everywhere reached for Rhode Island Red roosters to build better layers. They are still reaching for them today.

Breed of the Week: The Rhode Island Red

If the Dominique is the bird that fed colonial America, the Rhode Island Red is the bird that modernized it.

It was developed in the late 1800s in Rhode Island, and its calling card was production. These glossy mahogany hens with black tail feathers could lay around 265 large brown eggs a year, and they did it reliably, in heat and in cold, without much fuss. That mix of output and toughness made the Rhode Island Red famous worldwide and turned it into the breed other breeds are built from.

What makes the Rhode Island Red great

Temperament. Rhode Island Reds are gentle, confident, and easy to have around. They’re curious without being needy, which makes them a favorite for families and first-time keepers alike.

Eggs. Expect about 265 large brown eggs a year. That’s one of the most dependable baskets you can ask for from a standard breed, and it’s a big reason the Rhode Island Red has stayed at the top of the backyard for more than a century.

Build. At a mature 6 to 7 pounds with a single comb and that signature glossy mahogany plumage, the Rhode Island Red is a true dual-purpose bird. It’s hardy in all conditions and built to keep laying through the short, dark days of winter, when lighter breeds slow down.

The bird behind half your favorite layers

Here’s something most keepers don’t realize: if you’ve raised a popular brown egg layer, there’s a good chance you’ve already raised a Rhode Island Red, or at least its child.

The Rhode Island Red rooster is the go-to parent for the modern hybrid layer. Cross him with a Silver Laced Wyandotte hen and you get the Cinnamon Queen. Cross him with a Delaware hen and you get the Red Star, a bird that can push past 320 eggs a year. Cross a Barred Rock hen with a Rhode Island Red rooster and you get the Black Sex-Link, which carries the Rock’s easygoing temperament and the Red’s winter grit. Even the ISA Brown, the workhorse brown layer in backyards everywhere, traces its line back to Rhode Island Red stock. And the New Hampshire, another breed in this very series, was refined directly from Rhode Island Reds.

In our survey, the three most commonly raised brown egg layers were the Rhode Island Red at 66%, the ISA Brown at 47%, and the Cinnamon Queen at 27%. Look closely and you’ll notice something: all three trace back to the same small-state rooster. One breed from Rhode Island quietly stands behind a huge share of the eggs in American backyards.

Heritage or hybrid? Why keepers come back to the original

Those hybrid descendants are spectacular layers, and plenty of keepers love them. But our survey keepers told us something worth hearing: high-output hybrids tend to burn bright and fade, with laying often dropping off at two or three years. The Rhode Island Red is the heritage original they all came from, and it paces itself. You trade a little peak output for a hen that keeps laying, and keeps its personality, for years. If you want the genetics that started it all, you raise the source, not the copy.

Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire? How to tell them apart

Because the New Hampshire was refined straight from Rhode Island Red stock, the two can look like cousins, and they are. The tell is the color. A Rhode Island Red is deep, dark, glossy mahogany, almost a burnished brick red, with black in the tail. A New Hampshire is noticeably lighter, a brighter chestnut or salmon-red that catches the sun. Once you’ve seen them side by side, the Red reads as the richer, deeper bird every time.

Who the Rhode Island Red is for

If this is your first flock, the Rhode Island Red is one of the safest, most rewarding birds you can choose. It’s hardy, friendly, forgiving, and it will fill your egg basket while you learn.

If you’ve kept chickens for years, this is the breed that connects your backyard to the whole history of American egg production. It’s the standard every brown layer is measured against, and it earns its keep season after season.

And if you want the most influential American chicken there is, the Rhode Island Red has a claim no hybrid can match. Half the hen house descends from it. This is the original.

FAQ

What is the most popular backyard chicken breed in America?

The Rhode Island Red. In a recent Hoover’s survey of 253 backyard keepers, 66% had raised one, making it the most commonly raised brown egg layer in American backyards.

How many eggs does a Rhode Island Red lay per year?

A Rhode Island Red lays about 265 large brown eggs a year. Its combination of high output and cold hardiness is what made the breed famous worldwide.

Where did the Rhode Island Red come from?

The Rhode Island Red was developed in the late 1800s in Rhode Island, the smallest U.S. state. Its egg production made it world-famous and it became the parent of several modern hybrid layers.

What hybrid breeds come from the Rhode Island Red?

Rhode Island Red roosters are the parent of many popular hybrids, including the Cinnamon Queen, Red Star, and Black Sex-Link. The ISA Brown traces to Rhode Island Red stock, and the New Hampshire was refined directly from it.

Are Rhode Island Reds good for beginners?

Yes. Rhode Island Reds are gentle, hardy, and dependable layers that adapt easily to a backyard, which makes them one of the best breeds for first-time keepers.

How do you tell a Rhode Island Red from a New Hampshire?

Check the color. A Rhode Island Red is deep, glossy mahogany with black tail feathers, while a New Hampshire is a lighter chestnut or salmon-red. The New Hampshire was refined from Rhode Island Red stock, so their builds are similar and color is the clearest difference.

Raise a piece of American history

At Hoover’s Hatchery, we think there’s no better way to celebrate America 250 than starting or growing a flock of your own. The Rhode Island Red is a fine place to begin. It’s the bird that built the modern backyard, it’ll fill your basket, and it carries 150 years of American know-how in every feather. And it fits in your yard.

The 7 founding breeds of the American backyard

We’re profiling one a week from now until America’s 250th birthday. Here’s the full All-American lineup, with two down and five to go:

• Dominique. America’s oldest breed, traced to roughly 1750. Calm, sociable, and bred to last. The fastest way to tell it from a Barred Rock is the rose comb. Lays about 245 medium brown eggs a year. It’s the subject of our first feature below.
• Rhode Island Red. Developed in the late 1800s in the country’s smallest state and now famous worldwide, laying around 265 eggs a year and parenting half the hybrids in the modern hen house. Two out of three keepers in our survey have raised one. No other breed on this list comes close.
• Barred Plymouth Rock. The black-and-white striped farm hen most people picture when they hear the word “chicken.” Tight feathering, a broad deep chest, and a steady, unbothered temperament. About 250 large brown eggs a year.
• Wyandotte. An American original, known for laced feathers that look almost frosted and a cold-friendly rose comb. A handsome dual-purpose bird that shrugs off winter.
• Jersey Giant. Born in New Jersey and still one of the largest breeds you can keep. Slow to mature, at about six months, but gentle, friendly, and a steady source of large brown eggs.
• New Hampshire. Refined in New England from Rhode Island Red stock for faster growth and dependable laying. A quiet, no-drama dual-purpose bird.
• Delaware. Developed in 1940 in the state it is named for. White with black-laced hackles, quick to mature, calm, and good for about 260 large brown eggs a year.

Coming up next…

Next week we meet the bird most people picture when they hear the word “chicken,” the black-and-white farm classic: the Barred Plymouth Rock. Until then, the hen that started half the hen house is ready for your backyard. Learn more or add them to your yard now at www.hoovershatchery.com/rhode-island-red

FlockJourney is brought to you by Hoover’s Hatchery, the nationwide leader in backyard poultry. For more than 80 years, Hoover’s has lived its values of Excellence, Tenacity, Servitude, Humility, and Ingenuity while 100% focused on backyard poultry. From chickens, ducks, and pheasants, to turkeys, geese, guineas, quail, bantams, and rare breeds, Hoover’s has the best variety and the highest quality genetics in the industry. Find Hoover’s chicks at your local farm store or shop online at www.hoovershatchery.com.

Of all domestic food-producing animals honeybees are special. They can legally trespass!

If cows, pigs, sheep or even chickens wander off a property without permission an angry neighbor might be calling up. Bees are different. They’ll zip upwards of three miles to collect nectar and pollen. They buzz over fences and property lines to gather food for their larvae and to make into honey. Honeybees even thrive in New York City. Local beekeepers tend hives on building roofs far above the street. The industrious insects forage in parks and on domestic flowers in balcony planters.

For years we tended two hives and chickens in our Iowa backyard. We follow a foraging and gardening lifestyle so the combination brought delicious honey into our kitchen along with eggs, garden vegetables, and wild food.

Backyard honey bees and chickens are a perfect combination for a family who loves homesteading. Tending both bees and chickens is fascinating and balanced. Chickens produce protein rich eggs, while bees provide sweetener.

Beekeeping is an ancient practice. In the days before cheap sugar entered the market it was the main source of sweetener in Eurasia, where honeybees are native. Bees crossed the Atlantic Ocean with early human immigrants who tended them in towns and on farms. Some of their hives swarmed and formed new wild colonies that spread west faster than settlement, often living in hollow trees. Today many suburban backyards have enough space for both hives and a coop.

Jean Wiedenheft and Omar Salinas tend bees and chickens at the Indian Creek Nature Center’s Sugar Grove Farm near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although some people put their hives in the chicken run or even on top of the coop, Jean and Omar keep them near each other but separate. Plenty of space makes handling hives easier without the distraction of hens fluttering around. “We find that keeping bees and chickens boosts our vegetable and fruit yields. The chickens provide manure and the bees pollinate,” said Jean.

 Before Jumping into Beekeeping

Beekeeping may seem like a perfect complement to a chicken flock, but before attempting it do homework to make sure it’s right for the family. Here are some things to consider.

Is it legal: Some communities allow backyard chickens but not bees. Weirdly other towns allow bees but not hens. Check local laws before investing in bees. Check local ordinances on town websites.

Will neighbors welcome bees: A neighbor deathly allergic to stings may not be crazy about bees buzzing into his yard. Talk with neighbors before jumping into bees. When we asked our neighbors if they’d be ok with us having hives, they were delighted. Many were gardeners who liked having pollinators living in a nearby hive.

Am I willing to learn: Beekeeping is an art that takes a while to master. Books, magazines, and YouTube videos can be educational but the best way to learn is to find an experienced beekeeper for a mentor.

Do I have the Time: Bee hives need attention during the warm months yet require much less time during winter. May and June are critical months for hive care. We had so many time commitments during those months that tending to our bees was a problem and eventually led us to give our hives and equipment away.

Am I willing to make the dollar investment: Yup, starting beekeeping can be expensive. Hives, swarms, smokers, veils, gloves, and coveralls are essential.   Extractors are devices that spin honey out of waxy cells in the fall. They’re expensive, but often an established area beekeeper will let folks use his. It helps reduce cost.   Used equipment can sometimes be located on Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace.  Most beekeepers order swarms of workers with one queen to get started. They’re shipped in the mail.

Am I strong enough to lift supers filled with heavy honey?  A super is the uppermost part of the hive where bees store honey. It can weigh 50 pounds or more, so being able to lift heavy weights helps.

Don’t be discouraged. We absolutely loved our bees. They were so fascinating that a honey harvest seemed less important than what we learned from them, but we also remember cold autumn evenings when we enjoyed delicious cornbread, made with our eggs and covered with honey fresh from our hives.