Rhode Island Red

English

bawk

Etymology

After the state of Rhode Island; the breed was developed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the late 19th century.

Noun

Rhode Island Red (plural Rhode Island Reds)

1. A breed of chicken, with various subbreeds, some dual-purpose (for eggs and meat), some primarily layers.
   • 1913 March 29, Mrs. E.F. Lant, quotee, “Why I Raise Rhode Island Reds”, in Kansas Farmer‎^[1], volume 51, number 13, page 14:

     Like most pure-bred fowls, a flock of Rhode Island Reds is very pleasing to the eye. But more important is the utility side. They deserve to be placed in the "egg machine" class as well as the Leghorn and the Indian Runner duck. My small flock of 60 Rose Comb Reds made an average of nearly two dozen eggs a day all winter, the spells of extra cold weather not affecting them so much as other breeds. In February the average was three dozen a day, and now often get 45 eggs from the 60 hens. They are more active and require less food than any other breed of the American class, and are excellent mothers. […] My hens received no special care, being fed nothing but kafir, oats and corn [that is, sorghum, oats, and maize], with a wheat field near for green food. Plenty of grit and fresh water are important. For a farm flock they are hard to beat. —Mrs. E.F. Lant, Dennis, Kan.

References

• 1962, C. Arthur Pearson, Pictorial Poultry-Keeping (Cox & Wyman Ltd, second edition)