Rhode Island Whites are a dual-purpose fowl suitable for both meat and egg production. The Rhode Island Whites should have the same distinctive horizontal oblong body carriage as the Rhode Island Reds, a horizontal oblong body, closely feathered with smooth and firm feathers. The breed continued to be developed and improved so that it more closely resembled the Rhode Island Red’s brick-like body shape. This distinctive shape helped to prevent the breed from looking similar to and being confused with White Wyandottes or White Plymouth Rock chickens. The breed never came close to the overwhelming popularity that the more famous Rhode Island Red chicken achieved. We carry the Single Comb Rhode Island Whites variety. The Rose Comb Rhode Island Whites variety is the only one in the standard.
Conservation: Watch
Classification American Class
Eggs: Brown Eggs The historic laying ability of the Rhode Island White was recorded with one hen at the Mountain Grove Experiment Station in Missouri noted as laying 306 eggs in one year. Productive strains of this breed have been known to more typically lay in the 240-250 eggs per year range.
Meat: Yellow Skin
Standard Weights Old Male 8.5 lbs. Old Female 6.5 lbs. Young Male 7.5 lbs. Young Female 5.5 lbs.
History: The Rhode Island White is a breed of chicken originating in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Whites arose from the work of J. Alonzo Jocoy of Peacedale, Rhode Island, which began in 1888. Developed through crosses of Partridge Cochins, White Wyandottes, and the Rose Comb White Leghorn, it was solidified as a breed by 1903. Rhode Island Whites were first offered to the public in 1903.It was first accepted in to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1922 during the national conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, that year. Moderately popular up until the 1960's, it is now a rare fowl.
Breeding: The Rhode Island White is a distinct chicken breed from the Rhode Island Red. However, Rhode Island Reds and Whites can be bred together to create Red Sex Link hybrid chickens, such as the ISA Brown or our Golden Sex Link.
