Big Boy rules the yard
The Rhode Island Red is one of the oldest breeds of chicken developed in America, with a history going back to the mid 1840s. The people of Rhode Island raised these chickens in their villages for the purpose of eggs and meat. Regions surrounding Little Compton, Rhode Island, and Newport County, Massachusetts (which are adjoining territories), should receive most of the credit for the early development of the Rhode Island Red. Poultry farmers of these regions wanted to have a hen that could lay a good number of eggs per year, and one that would dress out nicely as a meat bird for the table or when sent to market for a profit. Shape and color had little if any consideration, except with the males - the local farmers preferred red males as they believed these introduced intense vigor to the flock. The exact ancestors of the Rhode Island Red have always been unclear, but early founders of the Rhode Island Red Club said they where from Red Shanghai, Cochin China, Red Chittagong, Black Breasted Red Malay and Red Malay. Some old timers felt that Dark Brown Leghorns may have been introduced in the early years to boost egg production. The Red Malay fowl was introduced to America in 1846 by Captain Richard Wheatland of Rhode Island and is believed by historians to be responsible for the red color, which the breed displays today. The early Rhode Island Red had three types of combs: The pea comb from the Chittagongs (Brahmas), the single combs from the Cochins and the Rose Comb which is believed to have come from the Rose Comb Shanghai rather than from the Wyandotte or Rose Comb Brown Leghorn.
Some of the early breeders of Rhode Island Reds were John Macomber of Westport,Rhode Island, William Tripp who was from New Bedford, Massachusetts, Issac C. Wilbur of Little Compton, Rhode Island, and a Mr. Jenny (hometown unknown). Mr. Macomber and Mr. Tripp were poultry market men who worked together to improve the breed by selecting the best birds that could produce high egg production along with an excellent meaty carcass. They were producing meat and eggs for the Boston Markets. Isaac C. Wilbur gave the breed their name (Rhode Island Red) in the late 1880s. And Mr. Jenny was the first at the Southern Massachusetts Poultry Association show to exhibit them in or around 1880. this was written by Robert Blosl of The Rhode Island Red Club
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