$39.00
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Heritage Rhode Island Reds are the most successful dual-purpose bird and backyard chicken. They're a very hardy, sturdy breed and even with limited conditions the hens will still produce eggs.
Attention: The pullets listed here can be missing their back feathers. They will grow back. The RIR is such a docile bird, and they allow the other birds in the brooder to pull the feathers.
Did you know that the true Heritage Rhode Island Red is on the watch list of the Livestock Conservancy? Beginning in the fall of 2018 we decided it was time to help in the conservancy of this beautiful American breed.
Since the 1940's the Rhode Island Red has been selectively bred for more efficient egg production as a result they've become a bird that no longer resemble the true Rhode Island Red. They've bred them to be lighter in color, smaller body sized and less broody. It is becoming ever more difficult to find the "old type" that are darker colored, larger bodied, broodier and rarer. As the poultry industry has tried to meet industry needs, they've single handedly bred the Heritage Rhode Island out of existence. If you don't believe me, try to find a breeder, you'll find it very difficult.
Heritage Rhode Island Red are the most successful dual-purpose breed. They're a very hardy and sturdy bird and even with limited conditions the hens will produce eggs.
Don't confuse this bird with what the large hatcheries are selling, they're nothing alike! We're working with the single comb HERITAGE variety; they can lay up to 200+ eggs per year. They still have their natural poultry instincts, meaning they can go broody and have good mothering abilities. They're a non-aggressive bird, super melo and calm. Even the roosters are super docile.
Story Behind This Particular Bloodline of Heritage Rhode Island Red: I ordered this line of reds form Dick Hortsman back around 2018. He bred and showed them for well over 25 years, to my knowledge. This summer a man called me looking for this particular line of reds, he said it had been in his family for over 100 years, and he needed a rooster for his hens. I told him what I knew about the line, and he said it was correct, Dick Hortsman purchased them from his father many years ago. He also told me his grandfather Guy Johnson back in 1915 took them to the world's fair in Madison Square Gardens. I'm sure they've changed some over the many years but it's still an awesome line of reds!!
Our hope is to offer you a heritage chicken to meet all of your needs whether it be egg production, meat bird or backyard pet. I feel confident you'll fall in love with this huge mahogany colored chicken that produces lots of big beige to cream colored eggs. Chicks are sold straight run.
Our Heritage Rhode Island Reds are the Dick Hortsman line.
Mature roosters are weighing 9lbs. Hens are weighing 6lbs.
Included in the shipping cost is a box required by the Post Office along with the express mail fee.
Policy for mistakes on sexing pullets: Send a photo of questionable bird, if we have made a mistake we will refund for the cost of the bird. We hate to make mistakes, but it can and does happen. Mother nature sometimes hides her secrets very well.
