The Rhode Island Red is a bird that is shaped like a brick. It is twice as long as it is deep. We will discuss the measurements of the reds as it pertains to our exhibition fowl. The length from the large fowl male's beak to the end of his sickle feather is about 24 inches. The female's same length is about 20 inches. The distance from the males cape to the rise in his tail is 7 inches. The female's distance on her back is 8 1/2 inches. The distance from the ground to the top of the male's back is 15 1/2 inches. The female's is 14 inches. The distance from the ground to the underline of the keel between the legs of the male is 6 inches. The female's is 5 inches. You must remember these measurements are for birds that have gone though one molt. The pictures in the "Standard of Perfection" are of birds that are a cock and a hen. Therefore you will need to allow for more length to the legs. Then as the birds get older and fill out they will have the correct measurements. If you try to have your males and females look like the standard as cockerels and pullets, they will be to short legged as cocks and hens. So, allow about 10% more height in your young birds in the underline.

Now for the bantam measurements. The total length for the male from beak to end of sickle is about 14 inches. The same area on the female is about 12 inches. The male's length from cape to rise in tail is 5 inches. The female's length is 6 inches. The distance from the ground to the mid top of the males back is 8 1/2 inches. The female's is 7 1/2 inches. The distance from the ground to the keel of the male is 4 1/2 inches for the male. The female's is 4 inches. Again remember to allow about 10% more height for your cockerels and pullets.

Another area that needs to be addressed is breeding for the fully furnished medium length tail. Now using the "Standard of Perfection" as our guide measure the male's comb from the end of the beak to the end of the comb blade. It is 18mm. Now measure the distance from the end of the main tail feather and where it comes out of the body. The measurement is 20mm. The main tail feather should be 15% longer than a nice looking head on your birds. In reference to our birds. The large male's comb should be 5 inches from beak to end of blade and his main tail feather should be about 6 1/2 inches long. On the female her comb from beak to end of blade should be about 3 inches and her main tail feathers should be about 4 1/2 inches long. The bantam males blade length from beak to end of blade is about 2 3/4 inches long. His main tail length should be about 3 1/4 inches long. The females head length should be about 1 3/4 inches long. Her main tail length should be about 2 1/2 inches long. Remember the main tail(not the sickles) should be about 15% longer than the head. Our reds tails are becoming too long. They are not symmetrical to the body. By symmetry, I mean the harmony of all the parts. You want your bird to be well balanced throughout.

In closing, keep these measurements on hand and try to produce reds that meet these. A great benefit for breeders is to use a blow up video projector and use it on the standard pictures. Have the pictures put on to pieces of plywood. Draw the outline with the appropriate measurements. Then cut these pictures out. Use these cutouts as silloettes to compare with your birds. Remember to give a little more leg length for your cockerels and pullets.

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