Rhode Island Red Chickens
Hardy, confident, and built for productivity. The Rhode Island Red is one of the most reliable brown egg layers you'll find for a backyard flock.
Rhode Island Reds are a hardy, confident dual-purpose breed and one of the most dependable brown egg layers you can keep. Hens lay around 250 to 300 eggs a year and cope well across most Australian climates. They're friendly rather than cuddly, and roosters can be territorial, so they suit keepers after productivity more than a lap pet. We breed backyard quality Rhode Island Reds on our farm, with well-started birds available from day-old chicks through to point of lay. Join our waitlist below to find out when birds are ready.
If you want a bird that will lay reliably in almost any conditions and ask very little in return, the Rhode Island Red is hard to go past. It's one of the most widely kept breeds in the world, and for good reason: it does exactly what it's bred to do.
We breed backyard quality Rhode Island Reds on our farm and work with trusted transport partners to get well-started birds to keepers across the country, from day-old chicks through to point of lay.
The origin of Rhode Island Red chickens
Rhode Island Reds were developed in the American state of Rhode Island and neighbouring Massachusetts in the mid-to-late 1800s, bred from Malay, Leghorn, and other fowl to produce a genuinely dual-purpose bird: a solid layer that also carried enough size for the table.
The breed was formally recognised by the American Poultry Association in 1904, and by 1954 it had been named Rhode Island's official state bird, the only chicken breed to hold that honour anywhere in the world.
Rhode Island Reds went on to become one of the foundation breeds behind many of today's commercial brown egg layers. Their genetics still show up in high-production hybrid strains, a mark of how well the original breeding got the balance right between hardiness and output.
Rhode Island Red hens and pullets
Rhode Island Red hens are confident, curious birds with plenty of personality. They're friendly toward people without being especially cuddly, and they tend to sit fairly high in the pecking order, so they hold their own well in a mixed flock.
They lay around 250 to 300 brown eggs a year, among the most reliable output of any backyard breed, and they keep laying through winter better than most. Fully grown hens typically weigh around 2.5 to 3kg.
Our well-started Rhode Island Red pullets are raised on our own feed, with plenty of space and sunlight, so they're settled and confident before they join your coop.
Rhode Island Red roosters
Rhode Island Red roosters carry the same deep red plumage as the hens, with a solid, upright frame. They're alert and protective of the flock, and can be territorial, particularly during breeding season.
Fully matured roosters typically weigh around 3.5 to 4kg. If you've got young children around the flock, it's worth introducing them to a Rhode Island Red rooster carefully, and supervising early interactions.
Why choose Rhode Island Red chickens?
RELIABLE BROWN EGGS
Among the most consistent output of any backyard breed, including through winter.
Most climates
Thrives in both a cold winter and a hot Australian summer.
Efficient layers
Keeps laying instead of sitting, which suits keepers chasing egg numbers.
EASY TO KEEP
Straightforward care once settled, with few special requirements.
Behind modern layers
Genetics that helped shape many of today's commercial brown egg-laying strains.
Ready to buy backyard quality Rhode Island Red chickens in Australia?
We breed backyard quality Rhode Island Red chicks, pullets, and well-started birds periodically throughout the year, from day-old chicks through to point of lay. As with all of our birds, availability depends on hatching season and demand.
If you'd like to be one of the first to know when Rhode Island Red birds are ready, join our waitlist and we'll be in touch. Got a question before then? We're always happy to talk chooks. Get in touch and we'll help you work out whether a Rhode Island Red is the right fit for your yard.
Join Our Backyard Waitlist →Frequently asked questions
Where do Rhode Island Red chickens come from?
Rhode Island Reds were developed in the American state of Rhode Island in the mid-to-late 1800s. They were recognised by the American Poultry Association in 1904 and later named Rhode Island's official state bird.
Are Rhode Island Red chickens good for beginners?
Hens generally are: they're hardy, productive, and forgiving of beginner mistakes. Roosters need a bit more experience, since they can be territorial, particularly around young children.
How many eggs do Rhode Island Red chickens lay?
Around 250 to 300 brown eggs a year, among the best output of any backyard breed.
Are Rhode Island Red roosters aggressive?
They can be territorial, especially during breeding season. They're not universally aggressive, but they're more assertive than some other backyard breeds, so supervise early interactions with children.
Do Rhode Island Reds go broody?
Rarely. Their instinct is to keep laying rather than sit, which is part of why they're such consistent producers.
Are Rhode Island Red chickens cold hardy?
Yes, they cope well in both hot and cold conditions and continue laying through winter better than many breeds.
Do you deliver chickens Australia-wide?
We don't deliver birds ourselves. Local pickup is available from our designated pickup point in Bargo, NSW. For biosecurity reasons, the farm itself isn't open to visitors. For keepers further away, we meet your chosen transport company to get birds safely on their way, anywhere in Australia.
Do you sell fertile eggs?
No, we don't sell eggs of any kind, fertile or otherwise. We sell chicks, pullets, and well-started birds, from day-old through to point of lay.
Join Our Backyard Poultry Waitlist
Give us the details and we'll be in touch as soon as Rhode Island Reds are ready for their new home.