Standard Varieties of Chickens:

Redcaps

This variety (fig. 31) is the largest of the Hamburg class, their size averaging that of the Minorca. Redcaps are an old breed, mention of them being made by some of the old authors. They are not as popular as the Hamburgs, there being difficulty in breeding them with good combs and clearly defined plumage. Their large combs stand in their way as popular birds, and unless the combs are square and even it makes a miserable sight. Redcaps are hardy and mature early, and, like Hamburgs, are excellent layers. For market purposes they are good, the size and quality of flesh being recommendations for popular favor. They are reputed to be nonsitters, though occasionally they are known to sit and hatch broods.

The comb is rose, the larger the better, not overhanging the eyes, square in front, and uniform on each side. It must be firm and even upon the head, without inclining to one side, the top covered with small points or corrugations, terminating at the rear in a well-developed, straight spike, and bright red in color. Wattles and earlobes also bright red. In plumage the male and female are red and black; the head is red, with blue-black hackle, each feather edged with red; back is red and black, and breast is purplish black. The shanks are slate colored.

The standard weight of cocks is 7 ½ pounds (3.4 kg); hens, 6 ½ pounds (2.9 kg); cockerels, 6 pounds (2.7 kg); and pullets, 5 pounds (2.2 kg).

FOR FURTHER READING...

Visit the Oklahoma State University Department of Animal Science's Poultry Breeds pages. The Red Cap page contains further information about this breed's history.

Please note: These links point to pages that are being served off of the Oklahoma State University's web server, which is not part of the Chickscope project. Because of this, the pages may be missing or corrupted, and control of this is generally out of the hands of the Chickscope development team.

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