Rhode Island Red - Standard Bred

[BobG]

I have a couple of 4yr old birds (RIR) they have not faded . If the birds are in a pen with full sun they will fade but after moulting they come back a deep red. When mating reds you always must select birds with deep dark colour . The dark colour must be even thru out the feather right to the skin .

[Home Grown Poultry]

Oh heck I dont care LOL I just wish i understood what your talking about nope scratch that I dont want to understand AT ALL HAHAHAHA!

Well some of my reds are OLD. one hen may even be one of Stephanes originals that he imported from the states. I dont see any fading but Iv only had them now for 2 years and this is my first year seriously breeding them. I produced some birds last year but they all got mixed up, and then we moved ect... this year is going to be the year of the red!

Thanks for the lead Bob, I forgot Pete had them.

Thanks as well LA Chicken, I will connect with you closer to your trip up here.

[WLLady]

I can honestly say i have never examined my heritage RIR-or my cornish for that matter-for the dark bar...hm..
I have had heritage RIRs for several years and so far no fading-unless i cross them with something lighter like a production RIR (oops). They do bleach a bit in the sun and i find my boys are darker than the girls (again a Co/Co and Db/Db trait). But over time...cant say i have noticed any significant colour change.

[Robbie]

QR_BBPOST I can honestly say i have never examined my heritage RIR-or my cornish for that matter-for the dark bar...hm..
I have had heritage RIRs for several years and so far no fading-unless i cross them with something lighter like a production RIR (oops). They do bleach a bit in the sun and i find my boys are darker than the girls (again a Co/Co and Db/Db trait). But over time...cant say i have noticed any significant colour change.

Hmmmm the mystery deepens!

[Home Grown Poultry]

what is this dark bar your talking about?

[WLLady]

Its a dark patch in the underfluff on the back of the bird.
My cornish were still in the nest box and rir boy was being a jerk so i didnt check tonight. Maybe this weekend....

[Robbie]

RIR's aren't supposed to have it, here's what a good slate bar looks like on a Buckeye
(From Backyard Chickens, unfortunately my rooster's bars are not this good)

[la-chicken]

I understand that there are similar aspects between the RIR and the Buckeye..........BUT these are two complete different breeds. Recognized as two distinct different breeds thru the APA.
Yes, there are variations within ALL breeds of poultry and similarities.
I want to learn more about the RIR on this thread. I think it has gone away from the main focus.
But, if we want to start a Red Bird thread and discuss the NH, RIR, Buckeye, Partridge Chantie, Partridge Rocks.........Bantam varieties as well.....just an idea.

[BobG]

One of the best ways too learn about breeding RIR is too google the articles written by the late Bob Blosl . He was a great promoter of reds .

[WLLady]

My only point here was some RIR do have that bar....and it seems to help with deep mahogany colour....and others dont have it. They shouldnt-but since i have both production and heritage and my heritage are much darker it might be interesting to see if the truly dark birds do have. They shouldnt. Sorry for being off topic. Carry on....