The Rhodebar

Colours: Only Red with fine buff barring.
Weight: L.F male: 3.5 - 3.7Kg, L.F female: 2.6 - 2.8Kg.
Available in bantam size? No.

Rhodebar Photos

Introduction

The Rhodebar is a rare, autosexing breed that was originally created in the UK during 1947 from crosses of Golden Brussbar cockerels and Rhode Island Red hens. It was first called a Redbar but later took the name of Rhodebar.

Description of the Rhodebar

The Rhodebar has a full breast and a deep, broad body with a long back. They are a deep reddish colour with fine buff barring. They have a single upright comb, rounded wattles and a short beak. Legs and feet are yellow and they have 4 toes. The tail is small with a black tip to the feathers.
Sexing day old Rhodebar chicks is fairly straightforward. Yellow chicks are the males and the females should have dark stripes or barring down their backs. Adult Rhodebar birds look very similar to Rhode Island Reds in shape and colouring but have a black tip to the tail.

Eggs

The Rhodebar is a utility bird and if bred correctly, a good strain should be capable of producing up to 200 brown tinted eggs during their first season of lay.

If egg numbers are low, fresh blood can be introduced into your Rhodebar strain if you find some good utility Rhode Island Red hens and you can put your Rhodebar cockerel over these hens. The offspring from this mating will give you pure Rhodebar hens but the cockerels will not breed true. Next, put your Rhodebar cockerel over these pure Rhodebar hens. The offspring will now all be pure and you can continue with your line, hopefully now with increased egg numbers.