The
Rhodebar
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The Rhodebar is an extremely rare breed, it was originally
created from the Barred Plymouth Rock and the Rhode Island Red in the 1940's
and belongs to the small group of breeds known as 'Autosexing Breeds'. It is a
heavy breed which should have all the characteristics of the Rhode Island Red,
it was created as a utility laying breed with dual purpose qualities; or
perhaps more simply an autosexing version of the Rhode Island Red itself. The
Poultry Club of Great Britain approved a Breed Standard for the Rhodebar in 1952, though it
has never been popular as a show breed, and like the other Autosexing breeds is
now rarely seen.
Because of the importance of the Rhode Island Red as a
utility breed, and the the interest in autosexing breeds during the 1940's,
there were attempts to establish the Rhodebar, or 'Redbar' as it was also
known, in several parts of the world. The University of British Columbia in
Vancouver made the first cross between utility strains of Barred Plymouth Rock
and Rhode Island Red and by 1947/8 had established the Rhodebar, but
unfortunately 20% of the chicks could not be reliably sexed at day-old; ten
years later there were still 2% of all chicks that could not be sexed at day
old. At day old the male chicks are yellow and the females more golden with
some brown markings down their backs and an eye-line.
In Britain several
independent breeders are known to have created the Rhodebar. In 1947 two
breeders in Essex made a strain of 'Redbars' from a cross between the Brussbar
and the Rhode Island Red; whilst in Sussex another breeder used the Barred
Plymouth Rock and the Rhode Island Red to create his Rhodebars, and continued
to breed them for almost 20 years. The intention was that the laying ability of
the Rhodebar should be equal to that of the best Rhode Island Reds, and in some
instances this was achieved; but of course so much was dependent on the
abilities and qualities of the strain of Rhode Island Red used. Of the few
Rodebars that still exist in Britain it is not known whether they are descended
from the 'Essex' or 'Sussex' strain, or are indeed the result of another cross
though due to the lack of interest in the breed the last is rather
questionable.
In all respects other than colour and markings the
Rhodebar should resemble a Rhode Island Red. The cock is a very handsome chap
indeed giving the overall impression of being red and white barred on the body
except for the tail which shows black and white barring, though in reality
there is black and grey colouring included in the hackle and saddle hackle. The
Rhodebar hen is similar to a Rhode Island Red hen with slight, almost
indiscernible, barring; and the overall effect is not dissimilar to some of the
hybrid commercial layers of Rhode Island Red descent.
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| . | The Poultry Club of Great
Britain Breed Standard for the Rhodebar |
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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS : MALE Carriage: Upright and graceful. Type: Body large, fairly deep, broad and long. Back broad, long and somewhat horizontal in outline. Breast broad, full and well rounded. Wings carried well up, the bows and tips covered by breast feathers and saddle hackle. Tail rather small, rising slightly from the saddle, the sickle of medium length, well spread and nicely curved, the coverts being sufficiently abundant to cover the stiff feathers. Head: Strong, but not thick. Beak moderately curved, short and stout. Eyes large and bright. Comb single, medium size, straight, upright, well set on, with well-defined serrations, and free from side sprigs. Face smooth. Ear-lobes of fine texture, well developed and pendant. Wattles to correspond with size of comb and moderately rounded. Neck: Of medium length and profusely covered with feathers flowing over the shoulders, but not too loosely carried. Legs and feet: Legs wide apart and of medium length, stout and strong and free from feathers. Thighs large with well rounded shanks of medium length. Toes four, strong, straight and well spread. Plumage: Of silky texture, free from coarse or excessive feather. Handling : Firm with abundance of muscle. FEMALE The general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences. COLOUR Plumage, Male: Hackle deep red-gold barred, with centres black and grey-white barred, the black centre portions rather longer than the grey-white; the front of the cape showing less black, the feathers towards the tips of the cape lying on the back showing wider black and grey-white barring. Wing primaries, lower web red-gold, faintly barred, upper grey and white barred, slightly gold tinted; secondaries, the whole alternately black, white and gold barred, lower web showing more gold; flight coverts very bright red-gold and white barred, tips red-gold. Wing bows very brilliant chestnut red and gold barred. Tail, including sickles, uniform black and white barring from tip to base, including the shaft. Tips black. Saddle hackle deed red-gold and grey-white and narrower black barring towards the tips. Back and saddle deep red-gold barred, with occasional black bars towards the end of the feathers. Undercolour light creamy buff. Breast uniformly barred, deep red-gold and creamy white and black. Plumage, Female : Hackle deep buff red with bright chestnut edges, each feather with deep buff, gold, black and white narrow barring, the barring becoming narrower as it approaches the lower cape feathers. Tail feathers black with reddish tinge. Wing primaries, upper web red-buff, lower black; secondaries buff-red. Remainder, general surface dark buff-red barred with buff and buff-red, the tips of the feathers of the lighter colour. Undercolour creamy buff-red, as deep as possible. Quills yellow. In both sexes: Beak red-horn or yellow. Eyes orange or red, pupils clearly defined. Comb, face, ear lobes and wattles bright red. Legs and feet bright yellow. Standard Weights : Cock: 8½lb (minimum); Cockerel 8lb . Hen: 6½lb (minimum); Pullet 5½lb |
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Serious Defects : Male's comb twisted or falling over. Ear-lobes other than red. Legs other than yellow, orange or light willow. Squirrel or wry tail. Side sprigs on the comb. Eye pupils other than round and clearly defined. Crooked breast or any bodily deformity. |
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