Rhode Island Red traits

[bonbean01]

We have decided to not have bantams anymore and would like to start over this spring with Rhode Island Reds. A question...is this breed agressive? Our bantams got to the stage where any roosters once they got a bit older would fly at me and peck (hard) when I was feeding them and changing water and I eventually put on long past the elbow gloves. Trying to avoid having to do this again...I want to enjoy my chickens, not be afraid of them. The agressive ones were all hatched and raised by me and were all handled very gently. Thanks

 

[stephanie1992]

the only agressive ones ive had where the standard roosters. hens were never agressive. i decided to switch to bantam rirs because they are not aggressive at all and are not scared of u so u can handle them easy

 

[ChickInDelight]

I have 4 feedstore hens. The 2 Rhode Island Reds are much friendlier than the Buff Orpington. The Barred Rock hates me.

My reds are not nearly as fluffy and pretty as the other 2, but they are the only ones laying, and they are consistently each laying an egg a day and have been for a couple months. Their eggs could not be better.

I understand the heritage breeds, pretty as they are, do not necessarily lay eggs as consistently as some of the more common production strains. I am now wondering if I have production reds.

In any case, my Penny is like a dog. She really likes to hang with people. All my chickens are horrible beggars!!!

 

[bonbean01]

Thank you for the information from you both. I'm wondering if getting Rhode Island Red hens, and then a more docile breed for the rooster? These are strictly for eggs and meat and not for show, so a cross would not be a problem. I wonder what the neighbours in earshot must have been thinking when I screamed feeding the bantams? LOLOL...a rooster all puffed up flying at my face was not fun!

 

[wood&feathers]

I like the 2 production reds that we've had for 2.5 years. But they aren't much to look at - ratty feathered and undersized, but I guess they put it into laying. I know it isn't my care - the others in the flock glow, and one of the reds is boss hen, first to everything. I really like my Marans, and the rooster I had was a total sweetheart .Big, deep,musical crow too.

Funny thing is right now it is my Cubalaya pullets keeping me in eggs. Everyone else is molting...

 

[bonbean01]

Thanks all...Rhode Island Red hens and a Maran rooster...that could work Like the sound of the Maran rooster's crow too!

 

[IowaHeritage]

The True Heritage Rhode Island Reds are not mean at all.

The production reds most definitely are however, at least thats been my experience.........

 

[lucky123]

I have to agree with the true rir's roosters are not mean, but the production hybrid seems to be more aggressive. This is just what I've seen. Also had hatchery barred rock roosters that was aggressive. I have one heritage rir that follows me around like a dog.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

This is true. I have both RC and SC in large fowl and SC bantams. Never had a mean bird, they are some of the sweetest, even tempered birds I have. And I have over 25 breeds.

Temperament is bred into the lines, most hatcheries don't care much how the birds behave, just their bottom line. $$$$

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[Marcymom3]

Welcome to BYC!

We have two RIRs in our flock. One is a little standoffish, but the other is very friendly. She follows me around the yard and loves my grandchildren! They are both laying an egg a day.