The Rhode Island Red is a successful farm chicken that can produce 200-300 eggs per year and is also farmed for meat. It was officially named the state bird of Rhode Island in 1954 after being developed there in 1854.
Rhode Island’s state bird, the Rhode Island Red, is a successful farm chicken. This bird is very hardy and is capable of producing 200 to 300 eggs per bird in a calendar year. They also start laying eggs as early as six months old. In addition to their excellent egg-laying abilities, the Rhode Island state bird is also farmed for its meat. They have dark red-brown feathers and yellow feet and orange-red eyes. Their chicks are tan to light red in color with dark brown vertical stripes down their backs.
The first contest to choose a bird to represent Rhode Island was held in 1931. It was sponsored by the Rhode Island Federated Women’s Club in partnership with the Audubon Society. Birds that have been offered as entries in that contest include the osprey, tree swallow, catbird, flicker, and white quail. At the conclusion of the contest, the bobwhite quail had garnered the most votes, followed by the osprey, but neither was adopted by the legislature.
In 1954, the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, the Audubon Society, selected five more candidates from which to choose the state bird of Rhode Island. The selected birds included the two best candidates from the previous competition and three new candidates: the ruby-throated hummingbird, the towhee and the Rhode Island Red. By the end of the contest, two birds had been selected to represent the State of Rhode Island in various roles. The Rhode Island Red has been favored by American Legion and farmer groups, while the ruby-throated hummingbird has been championed by the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs.
In 1954, the Rhode Island Red was officially named the state bird of Rhode Island when Governor Dennis Roberts signed legislation making it so. A portrait depicting Rhode Island Red was presented to the governor by author O. Schilling, a famous poultry artist, who had created the painting in the 1920s. The bird was already known in Rhode Island from having been developed there in 1854, primarily to produce eggs. A chicken plaque had been erected in the bird’s honor in Adamsville, Rhode Island as a kind of memorial gesture towards where the breed was developed. In addition to this, the second competition was held in the same year, the Rhode Island Red Centennial Committee celebrated the 100th anniversary of the breed.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
