Rhode Island Red
Dual purposeUnited StatesBeginner friendly
Probably the most famous chicken in America, the Rhode Island Red earns the reputation: it lays heavily, tolerates rough weather and rookie mistakes, and carries itself like it owns the yard. If you're starting a first flock, odds are good one of these is in it.
Eggs per year
200–300
Egg color
Brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6–7 lbs
Temperament
Confident and hardy
Broodiness
Rarely goes broody
Did you know?
The Rhode Island Red is the official state bird of Rhode Island, honored with not one but two monuments in the towns where it was developed.
Rhode Island Red egg production
Expect roughly 200–300 brown eggs a year from a Rhode Island Red in her prime — about 4–6 a week, or 17–25 dozen over the course of a year. That puts it among the more prolific backyard layers. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Rhode Island Red is generally described as confident and hardy. They tend to be active, alert foragers that would rather be busy in the run than sitting in your lap, so give them space and things to do.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Rhode Island Red rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
Rhode Island Redhens rarely go broody, which keeps the eggs coming but means they won't usually raise their own chicks. To hatch, you'll want an incubator — our incubation calculator tracks every step.
Space & feeding
A Rhode Island Red hen is a large bird at 6–7 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Rhode Island Red right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
- You keep chickens in a hot climate
Think twice if…
- You want a lap chicken that loves being handled
Rhode Island Red FAQ
- How many eggs do Rhode Island Red chickens lay?
- A healthy Rhode Island Red hen lays about 200–300 brown eggs a year — roughly 4–6 a week, or 17–25 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Rhode Island Reds lay?
- Rhode Island Reds lay brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do Rhode Island Red chickens get?
- A Rhode Island Red hen weighs roughly 6–7 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Rhode Island Reds cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Rhode Island Red is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Rhode Island Reds good for beginners?
- Yes. The Rhode Island Red is a forgiving, confident and hardy breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Rhode Island Red hens go broody?
- Rarely. Rhode Island Red hens seldom go broody, so they keep laying steadily but won't usually hatch their own chicks.
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