Red chickens are rare and difficult to come by, but those who have one or more of these birds as pets will tell you that they’re worth the effort. With so many varieties available, red-feathered chicken breeds can be found in almost every country around the world. This article provides a brief overview of some of the most popular red chicken breeds, along with their key characteristics.
Why are Red Chickens so Popular??
Red chickens are rare, beautiful, and fascinating. But what makes them so desirable to people? After all, they’re just birds! One reason is the fact that red chickens have been popular in folk tales and legends for centuries. The roosters featured prominently in such stories as “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen and the tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. In addition, some cultures consider red chicken breeds good luck charms while others believe them to be symbols of courage or even bringers of death (this belief has also led many owners to name their pet rooster ‘Coco Chanel’). Many bird fanciers love rare varieties like these simply because red hens lay eggs that are brown or even chocolate-colored.
1. Rhode Island Red
Perhaps the most famous rare red chicken breed is the Rhode Island Red. The history of this particular variety dates back to 1808 when a man named John Gedney imported them from Shanghai, China (though it’s believed that they were originally brought over by sailors).
Since then—just like many other breeds out there—they’ve been changed and refined. They are now one of the most popular rare red chickens in America today; not only do these birds lay exceptionally well, but they’re also very good at foraging for themselves as well as fighting off predators.
2. New Hampshire Red
Another rare red chicken breed is the New Hampshire Red. It’s a cross between two breeds: Rhode Island Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks (or, as they’re more commonly known, “speckled rocks”).
As you can imagine, this creates an exceptionally docile rare red chicken that doesn’t mind being handled; it also lays well and has plenty of meat on its bones! However, like many breeds out there—including rare red chickens such as Jersey Giants or Wyandottes—it takes them longer to mature than other varieties, which means their egg-laying years are shorter too.
3. ISA Brown
ISA Brown rare red chickens are an extremely rare breed. They were developed in the 1960s by a man named Walter Jeffries, who wanted to create a rare red chicken that could lay eggs year-round—even during wintertime!
The result was this exceptional bird; they’re incredibly cold-resistant, and their egg production is outstanding. However, these birds have only been around for about 50 years or so, which means there’s not much history available on them just yet.
4. Red Star
Red Star rare red chickens are also known as “Golden Comets” because of the bright golden color they molt into during their first year. However, you can expect them to turn a deep dark reddish-brown when they get older.
These rare red chickens were developed in England back in 1866 and were used by poultry keepers for many years—until they fell out of favor sometime after World War II (mainly due to how much work went into caring for these rare breeds). Today though, Red Stars have made a comeback—and not just among backyard chicken enthusiasts! The reason is that they lay extremely well all throughout the wintertime, which is something very few other rare red chickens do.
5. Production Reds
Production Reds rare red chickens are a cross between the Rhode Island Red and White Plymouth Rock. In other words, they’re incredibly easy to care for—and that makes them perfect rare birds if you want rare chicken breeds but don’t have a lot of time on your hands.
They also lay extremely well all year long, which means you can expect at least 260 eggs from each bird per year! That said, these rare red chickens aren’t as cold-resistant as some of the others out there (such as ISA Browns or New Hampshires).
6. Derbyshire Redcap
Derbyshire Redcap rare red chickens are a cross between White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds. However, they’re not just any rare chicken breed—these birds can also fly! They were bred that way back in 1849 by Isaac Newton for the sole purpose of cockfighting (which was illegal at the time).
Today though, these rare red chickens have been used as ornamental hens, which means you won’t see them on many commercial farms or backyard coops either.
7. Welsummer
Another rare chicken breed is the Welsummer. They were developed in Holland back in 1921 by a man named Cornelius Noorduyn; while his goal was to create an all-purpose rare red bird, he eventually had to settle for just one egg per week!
That said, these rare birds are still excellent at laying eggs—and their meat has plenty of flavors, too (which makes them perfect rare chickens if you’re looking for that “gourmet” taste).
Today though, they’re mainly kept as ornamental, rare red chickens on small farms and backyard coops around the world. While it’s true that they do lay less than some other breeds out there—about 160 per year or so—their rich golden yolks more than makeup for it.
8. Red Leghorn
Another rare red chicken breed is the Red Leghorn. They were developed in Italy back in 1820 by a man named Pietro Cobolli Gigli, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose bird that was perfect for both meat and egg production (and other farming purposes).
That said, even though these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than other types of rare breeds out there.
However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
Today though, rare red chickens may seem like a thing of the past—which is why it’s always nice to know that there are still plenty of them out there today! That way, you can show off your rare birds and hopefully inspire others to do their best in caring for rare breeds, too (no matter what purpose they have).
9. Whiting True Green
Another rare, rare breed is the Whiting True Green. They were developed in England around 1837 by a man named Henry Whiting, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard coops alike (as well as many other purposes).
That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than other types of rare breeds out there.
However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
Today though, rare red chickens may seem like a thing of the past—which is why it’s always nice to know that there are still plenty of them out there today! That way, you can show off your rare birds and hopefully inspire others to do their best in caring for rare breeds, too (no matter what purpose they have).
10. Red Cochin Bantam
Another rare breed is the Red Cochin Bantam. They were developed in India back in 1835 by a man named Robert Hogg, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard coops alike (as well as many other purposes).
That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than other types of rare breeds out there.
However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
11. Nankin Bantam
Another rare breed is the Nankin Bantam. They were developed in England around 1835 by a man named Robert Hogg, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard coops alike (as well as many other purposes).
That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than other types of rare breeds out there.
However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
12. Dorking Bantam
Another rare breed is the Dorking Bantam. They were developed back in England during the 1800s by a man named Robert Hogg, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard coops alike (as well as many other purposes).
That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than types of rare breeds out there.
However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
13. Phoenix Bantam Cochin
Another rare breed is the Phoenix Bantam Cochin. They were developed during the 1800s back in England by a man named Robert Hogg, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard coops alike (as well as many other purposes). That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than other rare breeds out there. However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
14. Red Cornish Bantam
Another rare breed is the Red Cornish Bantam. They were developed back in England during the 1800s by a man named Robert Hogg, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard co alike (as well as many other purposes).
That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than types of rare breeds out there. However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
15 . Golden Phoenix Bantam
Another rare breed is the Golden Phoenix Bantam. They were developed during the 1800s back in England by a man named Robert Hogg, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard coops alike (as well as many other purposes). That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than types of rare breeds out there. However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
16 . Golden Buff Bantam
Another rare breed is the Golden Buff Bantam. They were developed during the 1800s back in England by a man named Robert Hogg, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard coops alike (as well as many other purposes). That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than types of rare breeds out there. However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
17 . Silver Phoenix Bantam
Another rare breed is the Silver Phoenix Bantam. They were developed during the 1800s back in England by a man named Robert Hogg, who wanted to create a rare all-purpose chicken that would be perfect for small farms and backyard coops alike (as well as many other purposes). That said, these rare chickens are still used today—especially on commercial farms where they’re bred into more common varieties—but their numbers have decreased dramatically over the years due to their low fertility rate; which means it takes them longer to produce eggs than types of rare breeds out there. However, if you can get past this drawback, then you’ll be rewarded with lots of tasty golden yolks! These rare red chickens lay about 220 eggs per year on average, with each bird weighing in at about six pounds by the time they’re ready for market.
Conclusion
That concludes this article on rare red chicken breeds and what makes them unique from other types of rare chickens out there today. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please leave them below as I try my best to respond back within 24 hours. Thanks for reading!
