Rhode Island White

Developed in Rhode Island in 1888, the Rhode Island White chicken breed was developed by crossing White Wyandottes with Partridge Cochins and rose-comb White Leghorns. The breed was successful until the 1960s, when numbers began to decline. With less than 3,000 individuals in existence, these easy-going, all-white chickens are considered rare and are on the American Livestock Breed Conservancy’s Priority Watch list.

Weight: 6½ to 8½ pounds

Urban Uses: This dual-purpose chicken provides both meat and eggs.

Egg Size: Large

Second Thoughts: This chicken may be too large for a small urban farm.

Breed Association: American Poultry Association