There are a few different breeds of chicken that have red and white feathers. The most common red and white chickens are Rhode Island Reds, Delaware chickens, and Partridge Plymouth Rock chickens. Each of these breeds has a distinct look, with red feathers on parts of their body and white feathers on other parts.
Rhode Island Red Chickens
Rhode Island Red chickens are a very popular dual-purpose chicken breed. They are an excellent choice for both egg-laying and meat production. Rhode Island Reds have rich, reddish-brown feathers on most of their body, with some black highlights mixed in. The tail is often black. The main exception is the neck hackle feathers, which are a bright red.
Rhode Island Red roosters weigh approximately 8.5 pounds, and hens weigh around 6.5 pounds. These chickens have a rectangular body shape. They are hardy birds that are very good foragers when allowed to free range. Egg production is outstanding, around 4-5 brown eggs per week. Rhode Island Reds are also fast-growing meat birds.
Some key facts about Rhode Island Red chickens:
- Originated in Rhode Island in the late 1800s
- Other names used include Rhode Island fowl and Little Rhody
- Feathers are mahogany red with some black accents
- Neck hackle feathers are bright red
- Recognized variety is single comb
- Mature roosters weigh approximately 8.5 lbs
- Mature hens weigh approximately 6.5 lbs
- Excellent dual purpose breed for both eggs and meat
- Docile, friendly personality
- Hardy and active forager when free ranged
- Lay 4-5 large brown eggs per week
- Became the state bird of Rhode Island in 1954
Delaware Chickens
The Delaware chicken is another dual-purpose breed with red and white coloring. It was developed in the state of Delaware by crossing Barred Plymouth Rock chicken with white New Hampshire roosters. Over time, the breed was refined to produce an excellent laying bird that also yielded a good sized roasting chicken.
Delaware chickens have mostly white feathers, with black barring on the ends. Their neck feathers, hackle, and saddle feathers are a rich reddish buff color. The single comb is bright red as well. Delaware hens are prolific egg layers, averaging 280 eggs per year. Their eggs are large and light brown in color.
Here are some key facts about the Delaware chicken breed:
- Originated in Delaware
- Developed in 1940s by crossing Barred Plymouth Rocks with New Hampshires
- Feathers are primarily white
- Has black barring similar to Barred Rocks
- Neck and hackle feathers are reddish-buff color
- Single comb and wattles are bright red
- Mature roosters weigh 8-9 lbs
- Mature hens weigh 6-7 lbs
- Dual purpose utility breed
- Hens are excellent layers averaging 280 light brown eggs per year
- Docile, calm temperament
- Does well confined or free ranged
- Gains weight quickly making a nice roasting bird
Partridge Plymouth Rock
The Partridge Plymouth Rock chicken has the typical Plymouth Rock body shape, but with a color pattern of red, black, and white. The male’s feathers are mostly red, with some black and white accents. Females feathers are silvery-gray and dark brown, with necks that are reddish-brown.
Like other Plymouth Rock chickens, Partridge Rocks are a dual-purpose breed that lays well and produces a good meat bird. Hens lay 3-4 light brown eggs per week. The breed standard weights are:
- Rooster weight: 9.5 lbs
- Hen weight: 7.5 lbs
Here are some key facts about the Partridge Plymouth Rock chicken breed:
- Originated in New England in 1860s
- Color pattern is red, black, and white
- Roosters have mostly red feathers with black and white accents
- Hens have silvery-gray and dark brown plumage with reddish-brown neck
- Single comb is red
- Dual purpose utility chicken
- Hens lay 3-4 light brown eggs per week
- Breed standard weights:
- Rooster weight: 9.5 lbs
- Hen weight: 7.5 lbs
- Docile, calm temperament
- Does well confined or free ranged
- Gains weight well for meat production
Recognizing the Breeds
Here is a quick visual guide to recognizing these red and white chicken breeds:
| Breed | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | Rich reddish-brown plumage with black accents. Bright red neck feathers. |
| Delaware | Mostly white with black barring on ends. Reddish buff neck and hackle feathers. |
| Partridge Plymouth Rock | Roosters have mostly red feathers with black and white accents. Hens have silvery-gray and dark brown plumage with reddish-brown neck. |
Comparison of Egg Production
All three of these dual-purpose breeds are good layers, though the Rhode Island Red and Delaware lay the most eggs, as shown in this table:
| Breed | Annual Egg Production |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | 200-300 eggs |
| Delaware | 280 eggs |
| Partridge Plymouth Rock | 156-200 eggs |
Comparison of Meat Production
The Partridge Plymouth Rock produces the heaviest roosters and hens, though all three have good meat production:
| Breed | Rooster Weight | Hen Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | 8.5 lbs | 6.5 lbs |
| Delaware | 8-9 lbs | 6-7 lbs |
| Partridge Plymouth Rock | 9.5 lbs | 7.5 lbs |
Comparison of Temperament
All three breeds have a reputation for having calm, docile personalities. This makes them good choices for family backyard flocks. Here is a comparison of their temperaments:
| Breed | Temperament |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | Docile, calm, friendly |
| Delaware | Very docile, calm |
| Partridge Plymouth Rock | Docile, calm, makes a good pet |
Conclusion
In summary, Rhode Island Reds, Delaware, and Partridge Plymouth Rock chickens are all good dual-purpose breeds with plumage that is red and white. Each offers excellent egg laying capabilities along with good meat production. Their calm personalities make them a great addition to backyard flocks. Choosing between these breeds comes down to individual preferences in appearance and prioritizing eggs production vs. meat production. Any of these three breeds can be a wonderful red and white chicken for small farms or families looking for a pretty, productive hen.