The Rhode Island White Chicken is an excellent dual-purpose breed raised in the US state of Rhode Island. This is a white variant of one of America’s most popular chicken breeds, the Rhode Island Red. But the white variety is not as popular as the red variety.
But these hens are extremely useful and productive birds, excellent for both egg production and meat production. MJ Alonso Jacoy of Peacedale, Rhode Island developed this breed in 1888. And in 1903 he introduced the breed to the general public and offered individuals for sale.
Mr. Jokoy bred this breed of chicken by crossing White Wyandottes with Partridges and White Leghorns with Scallops. Despite their very similar names and common place of origin, the Rhode Island White Chicken is actually quite different from the Rhode Island Red Chicken breed.
And from the crossing Rhode Island Red and Rhode Island White, a Red Sex-Link hybrid offspring will be obtained (this means that the chicks can only be easily separated by the color of the down on hatching, the males are white and the females are red), for example ISA Brown.
This chicken was first included in the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Excellence in 1922. This breed was moderately popular until the 1960s, but is now a relatively rare bird.
This breed of chicken is listed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservation Organization as a breed to watch. Like most other standard chicken breeds, the Rhode Island White is also found in the bantam variety.
Characteristics of White Chicken in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island White Chicken is a medium-sized, all-white breed. This is a fantastic dual purpose breed of chicken that is suitable for both egg and meat production.
Rhode Island Whites have long, broad, deep bodies that are held horizontally (giving them an oblong, brick-like appearance overall). Their heads are quite deep and flat on top rather than round. Their breasts are deep, full and rounded.
These chickens have a single variety, with pure white plumage. They have red beards, red earlobes and a comb with a medium sized bright red rose.
They have a yellow beak and reddish bay eyes. They have yellow lower legs and featherless toes. Rhode Island standard white roosters weigh about 3.9 kg and hens about 2.9 kg. Their skin color is yellow. Photo courtesy of CackleHatchery.
Behaviour/Temperament
This breed of chicken has excellent foraging abilities and a strong resistance to disease and ailments. Chickens lay a large number of large brown eggs. Hens are also good winter laying hens.
They are a pleasant, calm and friendly breed that would make a welcome addition to any small farm or family farm. Their social personality and active disposition make them excellent pets and show birds.
They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. Sometimes they can be quite aggressive. See this chicken breed’s full profile below.
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| Breed name | Rhode Island White |
| another name | everything |
| Purpose of the breed | Dual purpose (meat and eggs) |
| Broad temperament | Calm, Friendly, Quiet, Aggressive, Handy, Loud, Obedient, Shy |
| Breed size | big |
| sullen instinct | Medium |
| comb | Pink |
| climatic tolerance | All climates / Cold endurance |
| egg color | brown |
| Egg size | big |
| Egg performance | high |
| feathered feet | Not |
| scarcity | Rare (the breed is listed by the American Livestock Breed Foundation as a breed to watch out for) |
| Varieties | pure white |
| Native country | UNITED STATES |
