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Derbyshire Redcap Chicken Breed Info

Modified: Feb 6, 2023 by Phil · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The Derbyshire Redcap breed is the most critically rare breed in the United States. Hens are average layers of tinted, cream-colored eggs and are not likely to become broody.

Two Derbyshire Redcap hens wandering in a backyard.
Image source: Instagram

They are not used for meat production, as their meat is considered to be poor in quality.

One perk of keeping Derbyshire Redcap hens is that hens will lay for a long time, well past when other breeds stop laying.

Jump to:
  • Derbyshire Redcap Chicken Breed Quick Info
  • Origins of the Derbyshire Redcap Chicken
  • Some Things to Know About the Derbyshire Redcap Chicken
  • How Easy is it to Keep Derbyshire Redcap Chickens?
  • Special Care and Considerations for Derbyshire Redcap Chickens
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Derbyshire Redcap Chicken Breed Quick Info

Derbyshire Redcap Chicken Description

Derbyshire Redcap Type/Size:Standard
Feather Color:Reddish-brown
Leg Type:Clean
Leg Color:Blue
Skin Color:White
Derbyshire Redcap Ease of Raising/Keeping:Easy
Derbyshire Redcap Special Care Needs:No
Is the Derbyshire Redcap breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken?Rare, “critical” status

Derbyshire Redcap Use

MeatNo
EggsYes
Dual PurposeNo
Derbyshire Redcap Temperament:Active, alert
Derbyshire Redcap Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Derbyshire Redcap Egg Production

Egg ColorWhite
Egg SizeMedium
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year150-200
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksLow

Derbyshire Redcap Meat Production

Dressed Weight MaleN/A
Dressed Weight FemaleN/A

Derbyshire Redcap Climate Tolerance

HeatGood
ColdModerate

Derbyshire Redcap Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size5 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying5 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest SizeN/A

Derbyshire Redcap Size at Maturity

Male8 ½ lbs.
Female6 ½ lbs.

Origins of the Derbyshire Redcap Chicken

An adorable Derbyshire Redcap hen perched on a rock fence on a sunny day.

The Derbyshire Redcap chicken breed originated in the Derbyshire region of England. During the 19th century, they were very popular on British farms, especially for egg production. At that time, they were used for meat production as well.

See also  Isbar Chicken Breed Info

By 1900, they had fallen out of popularity and become almost extinct. A few decades earlier, they had been imported to the United States.

Today, it is still extremely rare, but there are several breeders and groups fighting to keep the breed from going extinct.

Some Things to Know About the Derbyshire Redcap Chicken

Derbyshire Redcap rooster perched in a backyard.

The Derbyshire Redcap chicken breed is named after its large red comb. Their rose comb resemble a red cap sitting on top of their head.

This breed is on the smaller side. You’ll notice that hens are a reddish-brown color with black spangles, while roosters are a reddish-brown with lighter hackles and a beautiful iridescent black tail.

How Easy is it to Keep Derbyshire Redcap Chickens?

An adorable Derbyshire Redcap hen standing in a backyard.
Image source: Pinterest

These chickens were developed in the mossy, foliage-filled hills of Derbyshire, England. This makes them excellent foragers and ideal free-range chickens.

They are alert and active, making them predator-savvy. Their coloring aids in camouflaging them from potential aerial predators.

When it comes to personality, these birds are not at all cuddly pet chickens. They prefer to be left alone and tend to avoid human contact.

They do well in hot weather (as long as you provide them with shade and plenty of fresh water), but do not do so well in the cold. This is mainly due to their large rose comb, which can become frostbitten fairly easily.

Special Care and Considerations for Derbyshire Redcap Chickens

As with all birds with a large rose comb, frostbite can be an issue. When the temperature drops, you can help to protect their comb with a bit of vaseline.

See also  Do Chickens Have Tails? (+ What Their Tails Can Tell You)
Derbyshire Redcap Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

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