POULTRY NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 9

POULTRY NOTES

ORIGIN OF THE RHODE ISLAND I RED

Address by E. Hadlington (N.S.W. Govt. Poultry Expert) to R.I.R. Club of N.S.W. No definite information is available as to tlic exact origin of the Rhode Island Red fowl, but, as far as can be ascertained, it was the result of crosses made by farmers in the State of Rhode Island, U.S.A., which is one of the largest of the group of islands in the Narragansett Bay. The object of the cross* es was not to form a new breed, but to develop a strong, vigorous type of fowl for the local and other markets. Sir Edward Brown, the eminent English authority, who visited Rhode Island about 30 years ago, quotes the results of investigations of a Mr J. H. Robinson who accompanied him and obtained information from some of the oldest residents of 70 to SO years of age who had been engaged in poultry raising since boyhood, and his enquiries showed that the common type of fowl in that locality resembled Rhode Island Reds in character. This means that the breed liaa jits origin prior to 1830, but exactly who originated it is not known. 1 Other writers claim that the basis |of the breed was red or partridge I Cochins and Malays which were introduced into Rhode Island about the middle of last century. These wero

crossed with the common fowls which were apparently of a very mixed character, and later further crosses were made. Mr William Tripp of Little Compton, Rhode Island, is stated to have had a number of old-fashioned buff Malay hens, and he mated with them a rosecombed brown Leghorn cockerel, which cross he found to be satisfactory for the production of eggs and table poultry. Ho bred these fowls during his lifetime, selecting a buff rosecombed cockerel to breed from, the progeny possessing both rose and single combs, and the majority exhibiting Leghorn markings in the hackles to a greater or lesser degree. Thus, as far as the origin can be traced, the Rhode Island Red has descended from red or partridge Cochin mated with the common fowl of Rhode Island: The progeny of these were, in turn, mated with Malays. Later on further crosses followed with rosecombed brown Leghorns and Malays, and afterwards Wyandottes, but it was not until about 1880 that the breed rvas definitely known as Rhode Island Reds. They were also known about that time as golden Reds, buff Plymouth Rocks and buff Wyandottes. In 1901 a standard was formed for the breed and in 1904 it was admitted to the American standards, since when much progress has been made in the matter of colour and type. The Rhode Island Red was first introduced into Britain about 1900, and by 1910 they were being bred in several other countries. During the past few years Rhode Island Reds have become extremely popular in Great Britain and to-day are probably tho most popular commercial breed, having displaced white Wyandottes which were the leading breed ux> to a few years ago. Unfortunately, breeders in England have been rather careless in their selection of breeding stock with the result that many of the flocks show a considerable amount of black feathering on the body, and there has been a departure from type in some flocks where e gg'P r °fi uc ti ori - appears to be the main consideration. In these cases it is fairly obvious, from the lighter colouring and large falling-over combs, that the buff Leghorn or other similar breed has been introduced. About 20 to 25 years • ago Rhode Island Reds were fairly popular in N.S. Wales. About that time Mr Dalrymple, of Kogarah, was a prominent breeder and exhibitor of Reds, and he made frequent importations of fowls from America. For some years Rhode Island Reds were bred on commercial farms, but, probably on account of lack of skill in breeding, many badly coloured specimens were bred, and they were not uniformly satisfactory from an egg-production point of view. The result was that the breed went out of favour for some years and it is only during the past few years that Reds have been revived on commercial farms. Generally speaking, a more satisfactory type of fowl appears to be being bred and some good records have been put up by this breed in egglaying competitions. It would be a good thing for the industry if the breed increased in popularity in view of the fact that commercial poultryfarmers are mainly dependent upon three other breeds, and additional breeds would be an acquisition to the industry.

FIRST-CROSSES AS SELF-SEXERS Some English poultryfarmers have proved it profitable, and therefore advantageous, for their laying flocks to consist of first-cross pullets and hens. Two very popular crosses resorted to are the brown Leghorn or Rhode Island Red cockerel mated to light Sussex

hens. The cockerels are sought from a strain of pure-breds that possess the factor for large egg-size. Chicks bred from tlicso crosses reveal their sex on hatching by displaying a different colour or marking for each sex. Firstcross (or half-bred) chicks hatch out stronger, are more robust and active, grow quicker, develop larger frames and capacity than pure-breds, and the cockerels are good meaty specimens for the table. The pullets return increased average egg-production and maintain egg-size. Mr B. de H. Picgard, Storrington, Sussex, owner of a noted brown Leghorn laying strain, advises having sold over 500 cockerels for use in the coming English breeding season. It is rather surprising, knowing the increased constitutional vigor that is imparted to the progeny by the use of two suitablyselected pure-breeds, that the maintenance of first-cross flocks for egg-pro-duction is not more generally practised in New Zealand.