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Ruby

Rhode Island Red

6 months old

“First to the feeder, last to apologize.”

Egg Production

Starting to Lay5–6/wk

Building up production

First egg

Slowing

Retired

5mo

Not laying

Peak

Good

Declining

Egg Color

Brown

Fun Facts

✦A healthy Rhode Island Red hen can produce 250–300 brown eggs per year

✦It is one of only two state birds that is a domestic animal (the other is the Delaware Blue Hen)

✦Both a "Production" strain (leaner, more eggs) and "Heritage" strain (heavier, slower-maturing) exist today

✦They were officially adopted as the state bird of Rhode Island in 1954.

✦One of the few dual-purpose breeds equally valued for both meat and egg production.

About

A classic American dual-purpose breed known for exceptional egg production and hardy constitution, with deep mahogany-red plumage.

Developed in the 1880s in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by crossing Asiatic breeds (Malay, Shanghai) with Brown Leghorns and Red Java birds. By the early 1900s it was the most popular farm chicken in America. The breed was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1904 and was later designated the official state bird of Rhode Island.

Care Considerations

Cold-hardy with a single comb that can frost in extreme cold — apply petroleum jelly in hard winters. Can be assertive toward more docile breeds in mixed flocks. Good foragers but adapt well to confinement. Roosters can be territorial; socialize from chick stage.

Details

Species

chicken

Sex

female

Hatch Date

2025-10-29

Status

Living

Processing Weight

—

Size

Large Fowl

Egg Quantity

~5 / week

Egg Color

Brown

Heat Tolerance

Good

Cold Tolerance

Hardy

Personality

Active & assertive

Journal

Feb 14, 2026

Laid her first egg today! Small and pale brown — so proud of her.

Jan 31, 2026

Ruby was first to the feeder again this morning. Definitely the boss of the flock.

Jan 17, 2026

Found Ruby dust bathing in the corner of the run. She looked so content.