Red or White? An
exhibit
Second Floor, URI Library, August-September 2004,
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the development of the Rhode Island Red
Chicken in 1854.
In 1854, the Rhode Island Red was developed in Little Compton, RI. "Tripps fowls", was developed by William Tripp and John Macomber to produce “yellower fleshed poultry and better layers” (History of the Rhode Island Reds, 1920). Isaac C. Wilbour is given credit for naming the breed. Dr. Brigham and Samuel Cushman of the Agricultual Experiment Station visited Wilbour's farm sometime in the late 1890's and is said to have had the following exchange: "Mr. Wilbour, you have a new breed here and the time has come to give it a name. Have you a name to suggest?" Wilbour replied, "Why wouldn't Rhode Island Reds do?" In 1898 the "Rhode Island Reds" were advertised in the poultry journals and the first Red club was established in Fall River, MA. The breed was accepted as a standard in 1904. (from The Rhode Island Red, Rhode Island Centennial Committee, State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, Providence, 1954)
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The Rhode Island White was
developed in 1888 by Mr. J. Alonzo Jocoy of Peacedale, RI. According
to an article written by Louis A. Stahmer published in Poultry Tribune,
April 1928, "Mr. Jocoy originated the new variety by crossing White
Wyantdottes, Partridge Cochins, and Rose Comb White Leghorns."
The Rose Comb Variety was admitted to the standard in 1922.
Why is the White not well known? Mr. Stahmer blamed poor publicity for the breed's lackluster popularity. "All the breed needs is the right kind of publicity, and they will give 'em a run for their money." Whatever the reason, it was the Rhode Island Red, not the White that "took the country by storm" in the first half of the 20th century, revolutionizing the poultry industry, providing the country with an economical dual purpose ("good layers and good table fowl") breed. In the March 1913, Nature Guard, Leaflet no.98 described the Rhode Island Red : "It is a particularly hardy breed and seems to do better with less attention than any other." The Rhode Island Red became the official State bird on May 3, 1954. |