The Rhode Island White is a dual-purpose bird that is surprisingly high-producing. Hens can lay 250+ eggs per year! They also have a wide, brick-like frame and produce high-quality meat.
Although this breed is not the most common, it is used to produce hybrid breeds like the red-sex link chicken.
Rhode Island Whites are high producing all year round - even in the chill of winter. Hens will continue laying during the colder months as if nothing is amiss.
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Rhode Island White Chicken Breed Quick Info
Rhode Island White Chicken Description
| Rhode Island White Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | White |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Yellow |
| Skin Color: | Yellow |
| Rhode Island White Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Rhode Island White Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Rhode Island White breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Under conservation “threatened” status |
Rhode Island White Use
| Meat | Yes |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | Yes |
| Rhode Island White Temperament: | Calm, friendly |
| Rhode Island White Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Rhode Island White Egg Production
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Size | Large-Jumbo |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 230-250 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | Low |
Rhode Island White Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | 6 lbs. |
| Dressed Weight Female | 4 ½ lbs. |
Rhode Island White Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Good |
| Cold | Excellent |
Rhode Island White Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 5 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 5 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | 20 Weeks |
Rhode Island White Size at Maturity
| Male | 8 ½ lbs. |
| Female | 6 ½ lbs. |
Origins of the Rhode Island White Chicken
The Rhode Island White chicken was developed in the town of Peacedale, Rhode Island, by John Alonzo Jocoy. He crossbred Wyandottes, Leghorns, and Partridge Cochins to develop the breed in the late 19th century.
They gained moderate popularity during the early 20th century but declined after the 1960s. They never reached the same level of fame as the Rhode Island Red, although they are just as hardy and productive.
Some Things to Know About the Rhode Island White Chicken
This breed has a similar body shape as the Rhode Island Red chicken. They are long and wide with an upright neck and flat back. They differ, though, when it comes to their plumage. Rhode Island Whites are completely white, as their names suggest. They have red wattles, earlobes, and combs, and yellow feet and skin.
How Easy is it to Keep Rhode Island White Chickens?
The Rhode Island White chicken is a great choice for both beginners and experienced chicken owners. They tend to be very friendly and enjoy interacting with people.
They are quite easy to care for and have no major health concerns. These birds do well in both warm and cold weather. They are particularly cold hardy because they were developed in a state with cold New England winters. Hens will very often lay throughout the winter.
These chickens enjoy free ranging but are also content in confinement. They are a wonderful breed for small farms and homesteads.
Special Care and Considerations for Rhode Island White Chickens
Rhode Island Whites are generally healthy and hardy chickens. They are easy to care for, and owners report that they are friendly toward people.
However, if you have chickens in your flock that are more docile and submissive than them, they can become a bit aggressive, especially around food. One way to combat this is to create two or more feeding areas to make sure everyone has access to feed.
