Rhode Island White chicken is a great dual purpose breed originating in the U.S, state of Rhode Island. It is the white colored variety of one of the most popular American chicken breed, the Rhode Island Red. But the white variety is not as popular as the red variety.
But these chickens are extremely useful and productive birds, being outstanding for both eggs and meat production. Mr. J. Alonzo Jacoy of Peacedale, Rhode Island developed this breed in 1888. And in 1903, he made the breed known to the public and offered individuals for sale.
Mr. Jocoy developed this chicken breed by crossing White Wyandottes with Partridge Cochins and Rose Comb White Leghorns. Despite their very similar names and shared place of origin, Rhode Island White is actually a distinctly different breed form the Rhode Island Red chicken.
And the crossing of a Rhode Island Red and a Rhode Island White chicken will create Red Sex-Link hybrid offspring (meaning the chicks can easily be separated by down color alone at hatch, Males are white and females are red), such as the ISA Brown.
This chicken was first accepted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1922. This breed was moderately popular until the 1960s, but it is a relatively rare fowl now.
This chicken breed is listed on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy as a breed to watch. Like most other standard chicken breeds, Rhode Island White also appears in a bantam variety.
Rhode Island White Chicken Characteristics
Rhode Island White chicken is a moderately-sized and completely white breed. It is a fantastic dual purpose chicken breed which is suitable for both eggs and meat production.
Rhode Island Whites have long, broad and deep bodies which are carried horizontally (which is giving them an oblong and brick-like appearance overall). Their heads are fairly deep and are inclined to be flat on top rather than round. Their breasts are deep, full and well rounded.
These chickens have a single variety, with pure white plumage. They have red wattles, red earlobes and a medium sized bright red rose comb.
They have yellow beak and reddish bay eyes. They have featherless yellow shanks and toes. Standard Rhode Island White roosters weight about 3.9 kg and hens about 2.9 kg. Their skin color is yellow. Photo from CackleHatchery.
Behavior/Temperament
This chicken breed has great foraging abilities and strong resistance to diseases and illness. Hens lay good number of large sized brown eggs. Hens are good winter layers also.
The breed is a pleasant, easy going and friendly breed that would make an enjoyable addition to any small or family farm. Their social personality and active dispositions make them great as pet and show birds also.
They are suitable for raising in both confined and free range system. Sometimes they can be pretty aggressive. Review full breed profile of this chicken breed below.
| Breed Name | Rhode Island White |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Dual Purpose (Meat & Eggs) |
| Breed Temperament | Calm, Friendly, Quiet, Aggressive, Easily Handled, Noisy, Docile, Shy |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Broodiness | Average |
| Comb | Rose |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates/ Cold Hardy |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Egg Productivity | High |
| Feathered Legs | No |
| Rarity | Rare (The breed is listed on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy as a breed to watch) |
| Varieties | Pure White |
| Country of Origin | United States |
