heritage rhode island reds

[jmoeller]

Hi,
I'm going to raise chickens!

I have spent many evenings researching chicken breeds. I have settled on heritage rhode island reds. I would like to raise about 6 hens for eggs. I would also like to have a few Guinea's.
Where can I buy heritage RIR's? I live in Wi. so would like to order from a hatchery as close to home as possible. It just seems like that would be easiest on the chicks.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I've looked at many hatcheries but it is difficult to know for sure if they are heritage or not, it seems that is not something that is readily stated on the web site. Or it is possible I just don't know what to look for. I appreciate any help or suggestions you care to offer for my new girls.

 

[Dwkuska]

Not sure exactly what your looking for heritage birds, by definition, are birds that have bred over time to develop certain traits that make them particularly well-adapted to their environmental conditions. So by asking for heritage RiRs you could be asking for any variety of varients or colors.

Are you just looking for a good quality RiR breeder?

 

[jmoeller]

the link below is an example of what I mean by "heritage"
http://www.hickorychickery.com/heritage-rhode-island-reds.html
"As common as this breed is, it can wrongly be assumed that one Rhode Island Red is as good as the next. Most fans of RIR's are completely unaware as to how far removed from the original prototype the breed has become, and it is left up to a few dedicated breeders of true heritage Rhode Island Reds to restore the birds to their former glory. Modern day production RIR's churned out en masse by commercial hatcheries are poor representations of the originals. It goes without saying that the commercial birds lack the form, type and beauty of the true heritage birds, but the differences often go much deeper than that. Heritage birds, by definition, are birds that have bred over time to develop certain traits that make them particularly well-adapted to their environmental conditions. Commercial birds that are bred for quantity over quality dilute these traits, and by doing so dilutes the integrity of the breed itself."

I don't know if that is helpful explaining what I'm thinking. But that is the type of bird I am looking for. Thanks.

 

[Fred's Hens]

the link below is an example of what I mean by "heritage"
http://www.hickorychickery.com/heritage-rhode-island-reds.html
"As common as this breed is, it can wrongly be assumed that one Rhode Island Red is as good as the next. Most fans of RIR's are completely unaware as to how far removed from the original prototype the breed has become, and it is left up to a few dedicated breeders of true heritage Rhode Island Reds to restore the birds to their former glory. Modern day production RIR's churned out en masse by commercial hatcheries are poor representations of the originals. It goes without saying that the commercial birds lack the form, type and beauty of the true heritage birds, but the differences often go much deeper than that. Heritage birds, by definition, are birds that have bred over time to develop certain traits that make them particularly well-adapted to their environmental conditions. Commercial birds that are bred for quantity over quality dilute these traits, and by doing so dilutes the integrity of the breed itself."

I don't know if that is helpful explaining what I'm thinking. But that is the type of bird I am looking for. Thanks.

If you read this thread The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site from the very beginning, you'll see that our working definition is in agreement with the link you posted. This thread is dedicated to true bred, heritage, SOP, type Reds you see throughout this thread for the last few years.

 

[jmoeller]

Fred's hens, Those are the type of hens I would like to raise. I'm trying to stay away from the commercial hens. I would like The web site says that The Hickory Chickery is no longer breeding or selling for the foreseeable future.
Do you know where I can buy any? Thank

 

[Fred's Hens]

This thread is a place where a host of folks who breed them hang out: The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

This is winter. Folks are just now putting their breeding pens together. Some will ship fertile hatching eggs. Others prefer to ship chicks or juveniles.

Stay on this thread for another month. The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site Check in and read every two or three days. It's just a bit early in the year, but it is good to make contact and get on the breeder's list. Breeders sell straight run chicks and eggs are also straight run, of course. No sexing.

The good news is that you've come to the right place.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Hi,
I'm going to raise chickens!

I have spent many evenings researching chicken breeds. I have settled on heritage rhode island reds. I would like to raise about 6 hens for eggs. I would also like to have a few Guinea's.
Where can I buy heritage RIR's? I live in Wi. so would like to order from a hatchery as close to home as possible. It just seems like that would be easiest on the chicks.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I've looked at many hatcheries but it is difficult to know for sure if they are heritage or not, it seems that is not something that is readily stated on the web site. Or it is possible I just don't know what to look for. I appreciate any help or suggestions you care to offer for my new girls.

Hatcheries do not have birds like you see on this thread. Just don't. They mass produce/breed very healthy, available, inexpensive, and highly productive, egg laying birds, but not these Reds.

 

[popsicle]

jmoeller, dyou could order from Urch. He's over in Owatonna, MN; depending on where in WI you are you could even drive and pick-up the chicks.

You can search around on BYC for pictures of his birds--I think his RIRs are supposed to be nice

there are images of his current price list here-- https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/842143/duane-urch-lis

 

[MoonhavenFarmer]

If you want to raise RRR's there are really two varieties. There are production birds and what everyone is calling Heritage Rhode Island Reds. Someone has listed hatching eggs in the for sale forum in this sight. Production birds are better layers by statistics and are also bred for feed to chicken meat ratio if you are using them for meat chickens. Heritage birds are darker red. Dark red Mahogany with yellow cream colored legs. These are show birds. I have the Heritage breed. I think they are more profitable for the small breeder. Check craigslist and mainstream hatcheries perhaps to find what you are looking for.

 

[smarsh]

for heritage RIRs go to Breeds and genetics and look for their post. request there for eggs, maybe chicks