A Look At the Origins of the Rhode Island Red
Excerpts from ‘The Poultry Book’ by Harrison Weir (1905)Dr. N. B. Aldrich, of Massachusetts, in an article for the Rhode Island Red Club in 1904, speaks of the origin of Rhode Island Reds. He goes back into history more than fifty years to 1854, and shows that Red Cochin China cocks and later Red Malay cocks were introduced into sections of Rhode Island and Massachusetts by certain sea captains to get a better colour into their native bird.
Aldrich in particular refers to a Dr. Alfred Baylies, of Massachusetts, who was a relative of Walter Baylies, the treasurer of the Boston Poultry Association, forerunner of the modern day APA. Dr. Baylies, in July, 1846, imported Cochin Chinas, and, in Bennett's Poultry Book, published in 1850, is quoted saying, "the [Cochin] cockerels are generally red.
==That's interesting as now we see Cochins as mainly Black. Possibly the reds were all moved over to the Rhodey's as it was more popular at the time and the Blacks remained in. Why would this happen? Well the Rhodey's were the American breed out of then the headquarters of the APA, Boston, while the Cochins were coming out of Frisco in very small lots and honestly most fanciers like black. The modern desires for all black cars, clothes and kitchens is not new; it seems to have been around for a while. ===
Mr. Taylor, who imported Cochin Chinas in May 1847, says: "The imported cock was a peculiar red … and the hen a bay or reddish-brown." Sea captains brought home just such specimens to Little Compton, Rhode Island, and Westport, Massachusetts and later, they brought home the great Malay fowl from Asia. In Little Compton was introduced what was spoken of as Red Malays. These Red Cochin China cocks and the Red Malay cocks were selected and bred with the flocks of fowls in Little Compton fifty and sixty years ago, the same as the red cock is selected there today. Later the Rose-Comb Brown Leghorn blood was introduced.
Dr. Aldrich states that there were practically no Pea-Comb Rhode Island Reds ten years ago, 1896. The combs that prevail are rose and single. In fact, these are the only combs that have been recognized by the Rhode Island Red Club. It is difficult to describe the color of Rhode Island Reds.
The Standard says the males are "rich brilliant red, except where black is desired. The bird should be so brilliant in luster as to have a glossed appearance." The females have the "general surface color lighter than in the male" again except where black is desired and "the color is a rich, even shade of reddish buff, darker than the so-called golden buff. The female is not so brilliant in luster as the male. "
Alas, but isn't that always the case?
Dr. N. B. Aldrich, of Massachusetts, first exhibited the Rhode Island Reds in New York City, in the "any-other variety" class in 1891-92. At this show, R. G. Buffington, of Massachusetts, and Dr. Aldrich exhibited Buff Wyandottes and Buff Plymouth Rocks. They were composed almost entirely of Rhode Island Red blood. It was not until 1898 that a few breeders at Fall River, Massachusetts, formed the Rhode Island Red Club.
The Hon. C. M. Bryant, president of the APA club, well says in an article, "The trouble with all standards outside of the Rhode Island Reds at the present time is that altogether too much is said."
It is true that the early standards for Rhode Island Reds were rather crude and somewhat indefinite,
but this was intentionally so, in order that the breeders might, for themselves, gradually find out what they wanted, instead of being hampered by a standard that perhaps later would call for a very different fowl.
Somewhere along the line that changed and now Rhode Island Red standard is precise and less amenable to breeders and more subservient to judges. This gives the APA more say over the breeds look and character than the breeders breeding it. Somewhere along the line that happened and with it, unfortunately or not, the numbers in the APA dropped from a high of 225K members in 1959 to its current 3K. Of course they are not only to blame, a lot of the demise for the backyard chicken is the ease of supermarkets to buy a clean chicken for a historical good price. That alas is no longer the case, like most things, the hands of favour have swung back, and now getting a cheap live chicken that you kill and clean is a better deal.
The following, taken from the Standard of 1901, shows the high aim of the breeders of Rhode Island Reds: "The special aim of the promoters of this breed being to conserve vigor and prolificacy rather than immaculate 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."
In the 1903 Standard we find the following: "Apparent vigor is to be regarded with the consideration of shape.”Note John Crowther, a prominent breeder of Rhode Island Reds, adds "what the famed Faverolle is to France, the Rhode Island Red is to America—the best all-purpose fowl of a practical and progressive people. “ That could explain why the Araucana got his muffs and tuffs from the Faverolle, to get it closer to the bigger and chunkier Faverolle, and it is true, the Ameraucana is a larger bird than it's grandfather in almost every way.
Myra V. Norys, an able writer on general poultry topics, has a well said, 'In richness and harmonious blending of tint, there is nothing in domestic fowls to equal the color of the best Rhode Island Red males.'
A lot of that is because of their quick growth, early maturity, I started with Rhodey’s and they were the first egg layers in my coop at a remarkable 5 months. I have not had a bird that beat that record yet.
To join their club or just to find good Rhodey stock, Rhode Island Red Club Of America :
see http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Reds/BRKRIR.html ; the Showbid link does not work so it's best to drop Mr Harris a line expressing your interest. Many clubs like the Ameraucana give away their breeders list and that is good way to start as they can help you learn the poultry game as well.
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