All 12 Red Chicken Breeds (with Pictures)

Chickens come in many different colors, including black, white, gold, and even red.

Red chickens have gorgeous feathers that can range from a soft sunset-color to a deep mahogany.

Some red chicken breeds were bred to be hardy, self-sufficient and lay an extraordinary amount of eggs. Others were bred to have fancy red feathers that stand out in a crowd!

Regardless of whether you are looking to add an extra splash of color to your flock or create an all-red flock, there is a red breed out there that will be perfect for you.

Are you looking to add a pop of color to your flock?

In this article we will share 12 different breeds of eye-catching red chickens…

Related: All 12 Black and White Chicken Breeds (and Choosing the Right One)

12. Whiting True Green

Do not be tricked by their name!

Whiting True Green chickens are not white or green. Their feathers range in color from a golden chestnut to a lovely light red. They also have a red single comb and red wattle.

Their name comes from combining the name of their original breeder (Whiting) and the color of their eggs (True Green).

Hens are prolific egg-layers and can lay up to 300 eggs a year. This is unusual as many breeds that lay colorful eggs tend to have a lower egg-laying rate. The secret to the Whiting True Green’s egg laying power is that they are part ISA Brown.

Whiting True Greens are very calm and gentle hens that have great foraging skills. They are perfect for any family who wants to keep sweet, self-sufficient hens that lay lots of uniquely colored eggs.

• Weight: Hens (4lbs) Roosters (7lbs)
• Color: Golden chestnut to light red
• Egg Laying: 5-6 week
• Egg Color: Olive green

11. Derbyshire Redcap

The Derbyshire Redcap is an old English breed known for having a glorious rose comb.

Redcaps have red and dark brown feathers around their chest, with black tail feathers.

The first part of their name, “Derbyshire,” refers to Derbyshire, England. While the exact origin of the breed is unknown, they were extremely popular in that area of England during the 19th century. Unfortunately the popularity of this breed has been declining and they are now considered a rarer heritage breed.

They are a robust dual-purpose breed that lay a decent amount of white eggs.

This breed is perfect for experienced chicken keepers who want to help preserve a beautiful historic breed.

• Weight: Hens (6lbs) Roosters (7.5lbs)
• Color: Red and black
• Egg Laying: 3-4 week
• Egg Color: White

10. Red Leghorn

When most people think of Leghorns, they think of the iconic white chicken.

However, you can also find this breed in red.

Red Leghorns are a rare color variety of the traditional white Leghorn.

They have majestic red and brown feathers along with a red single or rose comb and red wattles.

Leghorns are well-known for being fantastic egg layers. They also love to forage and can be quite self-sufficient. It is best to provide them with plenty of space as they do not deal well with confinement. Leghorns can fly better than most chickens too and love high perches.

While some Red Leghorns can develop into sweet hens if raised properly, the majority of them are timid and fearful. Most do not enjoy being handled and will run away from people.

• Weight: Hens (5lbs) Roosters (8lbs)
• Color: Red
• Egg Laying: 4 week
• Egg Color: White

9. Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Reds are perhaps the most popular chicken breed around.

These chickens have deep red feathers, along with red wattles, earlobes, and combs. They even have red-orange eyes! Their beak, skin, and feet are their only body parts that are not red.

Rhode Island Reds are great for pretty much every chicken keeper.

They are more tolerant of hot and cold temperatures than most chickens and are known for their hardiness. This means they can thrive in many different climates.

It is harder to spook them than the average chicken, and these red chickens love to come over and check out what you are doing. They are also amazing foragers and do well free-ranging.

• Weight: Hens (6.5lbs) Roosters (8.5lbs)
• Color: Dark red
• Egg Laying: 5-6 week
• Egg Color: Light brown

8. Nankin

The Nankin is actually one of the few true bantams.

These tiny chickens have ginger feathers, with roosters typically being a darker shade than hens. Roosters will also have darker red-orange hackles and saddle feathers, while hens only have dark ginger hackles.

Nankins are an extremely old breed.

The earliest record of them dates back to 16th century England, which makes them one of the oldest true bantam breeds.

Nankins make wonderful mothers. They are so good at sitting on eggs that they have historically been used to hatch the eggs of other birds, especially partridges.

These chickens are calm and easy to handle which makes them a great breed for families with children.

• Weight: Hens (1.4lbs) Roosters (1.5lbs)
• Color: Red with black tail
• Egg Laying: 3-4 week
• Egg Color: Cream

7. Red Hybrid

The Red Hybrid, also known as the Production Red, comes in many different shades of red, ranging from buff to a deep mahogany.

These hybrids can be made by crossing either a Rhode Island Red, Rhode Island White, New Hampshire Red, or even Leghorns.

Because this breed can have so many different parents, there is a wide range of feather and egg colors. Their eggs can range from a light brown color to a pinkish red color.

These red chickens tend to be hardy and have a calm temperament.

Expect them to lay over 300 large eggs each year.

They are perfect backyard chickens for families that eat lots of eggs!

• Weight: Hens (7lbs) Roosters (9lbs)
• Color: Golden red to dark brown
• Egg Laying: 6 week
• Egg Color: Light brown

6. ISA Brown

Although ISA Browns have the word brown right in their name, they are actually red!

They are a color sex-linked breed, which means that females and males can easily be told apart as chicks by their color. Only the females have red feathers. Males are white with brown patches.

Because there is no breed standard, there is a lot of variability in the shade of red these chickens come in.

ISA Browns were originally bred in France to be prolific egg-layers.

At the peak of their egg laying ability, hens can produce up to 6 eggs per week. However, like most chickens, their egg production will decrease after two years and will drop down to about 3-4 eggs per week.

These hens are inquisitive and affectionate.

Do not be surprised if they hop into your lap for a cuddle.

• Weight: Hens (5lbs) Roosters (6lbs)
• Color: Red
• Egg Laying: 6 week
• Egg Color: Brown

5. Buckeye

Buckeyes are the only recognized American breed that were created by a woman.

They are covered in deep ruby red feathers and have red wattles and earlobes, as well as a red pea comb.

Buckeyes were first bred in the mid-1800s and can survive entirely off of foraging if given enough space. Because of this they do not do well when cooped up and need to be free-ranged. These chickens are also both heat and cold tolerant as they were bred to withstand all seasons in Ohio.

Hens are quite fearless and have a tendency to run towards people instead of away from them. They are also unique in that they are known for being good mousers that will catch and eat mice in your yard.

Despite all of the amazing qualities that Buckeyes possess, there are not many of them left and they are considered an endangered breed.

• Weight: Hens (6.5lbs) Roosters (9lbs)
• Color: Red
• Egg Laying: 3-4 week
• Egg Color: Brown

4. Red Star

The “Red” in Red Star refers to their color.

These chickens have reddish brown feathers with some white specks mixed in. Their wattles and earlobes are red, and their single comb is also red.

Similar to the Production Red, the Red Star is a hybrid.

A Red Star chicken is always a Rhode Island Red x White Plymouth Rock cross.

This hybrid was first bred in the 1950s and is well-known for their prolific egg laying ability, up to 300 large brown eggs per year.

They are also fairly docile around people, which makes handling easier.

There are two traits to watch out for with these chickens. First, it is common for individual hens to be dominant within a flock. Secondly, they are good at flying, which can be an issue if you use low fences in your run.

• Weight: Hens (6lbs) Roosters (7lbs)
• Color: Red
• Egg Laying: 5-6 week
• Egg Color: Brown

3. Red Cochin Bantam

The Red Cochin Bantam is a color variety of the Cochin Bantam.

These beautiful fluffy red chickens have a red single comb, wattles, and earlobes. Their soft feathers make them look like a big red cloud. They also have fancy red feathers on their legs and feet, making them the only feather-legged breed on this list.

Your Red Cochin will be sweet and laid back.

These hens love to lounge around and do not mind being confined to runs. They also make the perfect lap chicken and are happy to be held.

While Red Cochin Bantams only lay a couple of eggs per week, they make excellent mothers and will hatch any eggs you put under them.

• Weight: Hens (1.6lbs) Roosters (1.9lbs)
• Color: Red
• Egg Laying: 2 week
• Egg Color: Brown

2. New Hampshire Red

New Hampshire Reds have feathers that are a beautiful chestnut red color.

They also have a red wattle and red single comb. The beaks of many New Hampshire Reds are even tinted red.

New Hampshire Reds are very similar in appearance to Rhode Island Reds. This is because the New Hampshire Red was created via selective breeding of Rhode Island Reds until they were distinct enough to be considered their own breed.

The easiest way to tell the two breeds apart is by their color.

New Hampshire Reds are a lighter shade of red and have black-tipped feathers in their tail and hackles.

Unlike the Rhode Island Red, they were bred with a greater focus on meat production than egg production. They lay a modest 200 eggs each year but are fast growers.

These hens are friendly and outgoing.

Their one downside is that they are prone to aggressive behavior during feeding and may bully more docile chickens during feeding time.

• Weight: Hens (6.5lbs) Roosters (8lbs)
• Color: Chestnut red
• Egg Laying: 3-4 week
• Egg Color: Light brown

1. Welsummer

The Welsummer can come in a variety of colors, but the most popular pattern is red partridge.

These chickens are a dark brown color with a lighter, red-tinted belly. Their neck is a golden-brown and their face is a deep mahogany.

But that is not all that is red.

Even their eggs are a terracotta red color!

These chickens are excellent foragers and love to free-range in almost any weather, including snow.

Just remember that these chickens can be loud so they are best suited for rural homesteads.

• Weight: Hens (5lbs) Roosters (7lbs)
• Color: Red partridge
• Egg Laying: 4 week
• Egg Color: Red terracotta

Which Red Chicken Is Right For You?

Whether you are looking for a great egg-layer, the perfect family-friendly pet, or a chicken with a special appearance, hopefully this article has helped you find a red chicken that is perfect for you.

If you have not found one, then try our list of brown chicken breeds, as lots of brown chickens can have red feathers too.

Whichever breed you choose, it is important to research them further so you provide the proper feed, care, and coop set-up for your new red chickens to thrive.

If you already keep other breeds of chicken, then you should do research to make sure your new birds get along with chicken breeds of various temperaments.

Have fun adding some color into your flock with these various red breeds!

Do you already keep red chickens? Let us know in the comments section below which breed is your favorite…