JUDGING RHODE ISLAND REDS
by
In judging of Rhode Island Reds, one should always remember that type is the utmost importance; this is also true of all domesticated land and waterfowl. In Reds, type constitutes 63% and color 37% of the total 100 points that make a perfect specimen. Often times we see a bird that is ideal in color in all sections, but perhaps lacks breast shape, proper tail carriage, is loose feathered or any number of other shape or body faults. And the beginning exhibitor cannot understand why this beautiful colored bird loses to one of excellent type but not equal to his/her in color.
The Rhode Island Red's back should be level, long and broad, with the width carried well to the stern, as a bird with a back tapering towards the rear generally has a pinched tail. The tail of the male should be carried 20 degrees above the horizontal. Lately there is a tendency for some strains of Reds to carry their tails too low, this is particularly true of females, and otherwise outstanding birds are being defeated in the showroom on account of this serious defect. Another fault that appears to have crept into some strains of reds, is that the tails are becoming to long and gamey in appearance; this is especially true in the males. The Standard of Perfection calls for a tail of medium length, well spread, with main tail feathers broad and overlapping, main sickles of medium length, broad extending only slightly beyond main tail feathers, lesser sickles and tail coverts and tail coverts of medium length. You will note studying the Standard that in every instance where the tail is referred to it says the feathers should be broad. And these specifications will carry a bird a long ways in the eyes of any judge. The above description of the tail applies to the male, but the female too should have a broad feather and well spread tail, differing from the male in that she would not have the main and lesser sickles and coverts, as in the case of the male.
The weights are important in both large Reds as well as bantams, for when a bird is over or under weight to any extent, they just don't appear to be right. It may be too much depth for their length, or they may be narrow, too high or too low on legs, or some such fault. It is very seldom that we find a bird very much over or underweight that appears to have that real brick shaped body so much desired. It therefore behooves us to show birds that are very close to standard weights, be they large fowl or bantams.
Judges, and exhibitors also for that matter, will differ in their opinion of what constitutes a good Red. Some prefer a lighter shade of red than others, but the main thing to keep in mind is that we want an even shade of red from head to tail, and not a chocolate or muddy brown; but a live red color on the surface as well as the undercolor. This includes the red portions of the wing in the primaries and secondaries. Frequently we find a bird that appears to be very even in surface color, but upon examining the wings we find that the red portion is a much lighter shade than that of the surface. By opening the wing and laying it across the thigh, one can readily detect if the red of the wings match that of the surface color.
Feather texture is of the utmost importance; years ago when Rhode Island Reds with uniform color were difficult to find, we seemed to be able to obtain a more even shade of red in the narrow feathered birds than was the case in those with a nice wide feather. Many breeders resorted to this narrow feather in order to secure a more uniform color in their birds. I am happy to say that this type of feather is not necessary for these past many years in order to secure a nice even shade of red. A narrow feathered bird will often have a fuzzy back, especially in the males, and the hackle frequently tends to curl and not lay smoothly on the neck, creating a poor appearance. Rhode Island Reds should carry all the feathers fairly close to the body in all sections.
In recent years there appears to be a tendency in some strains to have a lacing of the feathers, or an edging which is some darker and with more sheen than the main portion of the feather, this is particularly noticeable in the females. This edging or lacing is a definite defect and causes the specimen to lack the overall uniform shade of red from head to tail so much desired. Other things being equal a bird with lacing of this kind will lose to a similar type and conformation, but which has a uniform colored feather without the edging or lacing. A judge will often be forced to place a bird with this type of feather, simply because it is the best shown in a class, and perhaps better than the competition. However, in a large and good quality class this is a serious defect and should be cut accordingly.
When judging a class, one should be extremely careful not to excite the bird any more than absolutely necessary. But should go about the job by being as quiet as possible. In removing a bird from a cage, place the hand over the back, the other hand under the breast with the forefinger between the thighs and remove the specimen from the coop headfirst. Hold the bird in one hand with as I said before the forefinger between the thighs. The other hand is then free to explore the specimen from head to tail including all sections, head, neck, under color, tail and wings, by so doing it is relatively easy to examine all sections for defects, color, etc.
Disqualifications are another touchy subject, and a Red with a pale lobe should not be disqualified for having white lobes, when perhaps the bird is out of condition or not yet finished which is the cause of this paleness. Enamel white is easily detected, and of course where it actually exists the bird should be out. There are other faults also that are right on the borderline, such as slipped or split wings, wry tails, knocked knees, bow legs and many other defects that are slight, and should be carefully evaluated before disqualifying the specimen. Of course when any of the above mentioned defects are very pronounced and there is no doubt in the judge's mind that is definite disqualification, then the bird should out. But let us always remember that the Standard of Perfection definitely states that the specimen shall have the benefit of the doubt.
Many years ago the score card system of judging was quite generally used in the United States, particularly at the winter shows. But this method of placing the awards has long since been abandoned for the more satisfactory comparative method we are all familiar with today. At a score card show the judge would work with a clerk. As the judge proceeded with the inspection of the bird. He would enumerate the cut for each section if any, his clerk would make a note of this on the score card, after he was through examining the bird and the clerk had noted each cut, these cuts would be totaled and the results subtracted from 100, the difference being the bird's score. For example if total cuts were 7 ½ the score would then be 92 ½.
This is a reprint of the article written for the July 1959 The Rhode Island Red Chronicle. The author was a good breeder of our great breed.
 |  |  |  |  |
| Home | pics | Library | links |
This site is designed and maintained by The Coop