I raised Dixie Rainbow Chickens for nearly 5 years and my expertise was nice! Right here’s the rundown on every thing it’s essential find out about this hybrid, rainbow breed rooster, together with Dixie Rainbow Rooster photos.
Pin it for later or to show you chicken lovin’ friends!
I initially discovered of the Dixie Rainbow rooster breed by studying on the Backyardchickens.com web site about hybrid breed chickens. I knew I wished a laying flock and a flock for meat manufacturing, so why not keep small yard flock of 6-7 hens that would do each?
If Dixie Rainbows have been as nice of a hybrid (dual-purpose hen) as I’d learn, they’d be the most effective meat rooster for my little homestead on the time. And in the event that they have been nice layers, as I’d learn, then ultimately I might simply elevate that breed.
Properly, that’s precisely what ended up taking place! The very best a part of selecting a hybrid breed rooster is it means that you can have the most effective of each worlds, with out having too many chickens operating round.
One superior attribute of rainbow dixie chickens is that they usually look completely totally different from one another! In actual fact, they’re categorized as a “rainbow” as a result of there’s no set look to them – every rooster has essentially the most distinctive feather sample. Their diverse feather patterns and colour patterns present a number of the most vibrant plumage and tail feathers. I skilled birds with each earthy colours and others with vibrant colours. They have been essentially the most distinctive chickens I raised, and are at the moment nonetheless my best choice (proper subsequent to Barred Rocks!).
The usual sample of a Dixie Rainbow is tan/brown and speckles, considerably like this image beneath.
However the stunning attribute of Dixie Rainbows is that once in a while you get a wild card. From our final flock, we received 2 brown hens, 2 extra customary wanting hens, 1 stunning speckled roo and the head-honcho and first-hatched the snow-white roo!
Some chicks may additionally have winged eyeliner or a small flick of black stretching from the nook of their eyes.
These hybrid breed chickens are stuffed with nice personalities. Lively, they’ll strut across the yard like they’re the most effective breed there’s (they’re fairly near it!).
You’ll discover the hens are fantastic moms after they go broody, committing to the brood and hatching their younger to success. Be careful, although! A broody hen would possibly provide you with an excellent peck if she’s a dedicated mama, which is nearly all the time. Primarily, although, you’ll expertise a candy hen.
In actual fact, even once you incubate eggs they show their resilience. The few eggs that had hassle pipping or zipping have been fighters! It’s superb to look at slightly day-old chick resolve that at present is a day to reside, not die. We, in fact, help when acceptable!
I imply, simply have a look at this sturdy little chick!
As for the roosters, in my expertise, I haven’t had an aggressive Dixie Rainbow rooster but. Massive? Yep. You betcha. Slightly bit gradual to study? Sure, I’ll must admit.
However they’re good roosters and also you don’t have to fret about being attacked. They’ll watch over the hens and so they’re stunning. I haven’t had a foul wanting Rainbow Roo’ but!
Since Dixie Rainbows are a dual-purpose breed, they develop faster than the common. When you’re elevating rainbows as meat birds, you may count on them to succeed in market weight round 12-13 weeks and will probably be 6-8 kilos of weight at maturity. BIG BIRD. That is the right weight for a broiler, or fryer.
At 12-13 weeks your flock can have full combs and wattles and your roosters will begin to cock-a-doodle-doo. That is my most up-to-date flock, and sure, they’re ALL Dixie Rainbows – full bred. The flock within the photograph beneath are roughly 13 weeks previous!
Twin objective birds don’t usually take longer than 18 weeks to succeed in market weight – and by that point you’ll have precise huge birds available. By 20-24 weeks of age or older, you’ll must plan to make the most of your chickens as roasters or stewing chickens. For extra info on the distinction in sizes when elevating, culling and cooking chickens you may learn this informative article from The Kitchn.
Though I’ve not raised Cornish Cross chickens, I didn’t love what I examine them. Cornish Cross chickens are most likely some of the stereotypical, generic meat chickens. It’s what you usually discover in factory-farmed setups, however I do know smaller homesteaders who select to lift Cornish Crosses.
The rationale I selected in opposition to it’s that they’re bred to develop at a really quick progress price, that means sooner or later they’ll probably not even have the ability to assist their very own weight. Cornish Cross chickens are an excellent breed in case you are good at sticking to a schedule, as they’ll must be promptly culled as soon as they’ve develop into a mature rooster. At their mature weight, Cornish Cross chickens can develop to eight lbs in as little as 8 weeks.
I’ve additionally learn to not elevate them in the summertime season as they aren’t heat-tolerant birds.
Egg manufacturing could be some of the necessary traits to take a look at in a rooster for most individuals. It’s completely doable to discover a breed of rooster that produces each high quality meat and gives a plethora of huge eggs all year long. Enter: twin objective, or “hybrid”, rooster breeds *cough…the dixies!*
The rainbow layer rooster lays a medium-large brown egg, so should you’re in search of totally different egg colours then Dixies aren’t for you. These yummy brown eggs are sometimes extra in direction of the bigger measurement and I’ve even gotten just a few double yolks!
When you’d choose a flock that lays a wide range of eggs, you’ll want a wide range of birds. Fortunately, Dixie Rainbow chickens get alongside nicely with different breeds. Attempt pairing them with Buff Orpingtons, who’re a number of the greatest egg producers. For coloured eggs, select an Easter Egger breed that lays blue eggs! Easter eggers are a blue egg layer breed and, whereas they lay stunning eggs, they’re not the only option for a meat rooster as they keep fairly small.
I’ve raised Rhode Island Crimson chickens who’re additionally nice layers that lay gentle chocolate brown recent eggs. Totally different breeds herald a barely totally different egg colour starting from the usual white egg, blue eggs to darkish brown eggs to the Olive Egger, providing you with olive inexperienced eggs!
The choices are infinite, actually. Regardless of in case your chickens lay a number of eggs which are coloured or not, they’re all the identical on the within whatever the shell colour. Yummy, recent eggs with wealthy yellow-orange yolks!
On common, Dixie hens are nice egg producers, laying round 225-250 eggs a yr. Be mindful, to obtain optimum egg manufacturing you must all the time provide your hens with a feed of no less than 16-17% protein together with limitless entry to scrub water. Your native feed retailer, Tractor Provide or Rural King ought to have this. Dixies are a big measurement, quick rising hen.
When you provide them with correct care, a balanced food plan with satisfactory protein and clear ingesting water, they’ll provide you with stunning, farm-fresh eggs.
You possibly can count on these hybrid hens to start out laying on the finish of the spectrum of 20-24 weeks.
Jersey Big hens are environment friendly egg producers and hearty meat chickens. Among the many largest breeds, Jersey Giants are a fantastic dual-purpose rooster possibility on your homestead if in case you have the house. Barred Rocks and White Rocks are additionally a suitable dual-purpose breed of rooster, higher fitted to a smaller homestead than Jersey Giants.
I’ve by no means had an issue within the winter with my hens not laying. In actual fact, optimum egg manufacturing for my Dixies have been all the time within the cooler months. I’ll say, although, that the summer season of 2020 was significantly sizzling and their laying considerably slowed down.
From my small flock of seven hens, I normally acquired 4-5 eggs per week. Within the warmth of the 2020 summer season with fixed warmth advisories, I used to be fortunate to get 4 eggs per week. This wasn’t the norm, although.
I reside in Japanese Kentucky now and stay up for elevating Dixie Rainbows on this cooler local weather, ultimately. I anticipate they’ll do nicely as they’re massive, hardy birds – comparable in form to Barred Rocks or a Buff Orpington.
For folk who reside in additional southern states, you don’t must count on a foul molt from Dixie Rainbows. Right here’s an image of my flock within the winter of 2019. Our winters in Florida are fairly gentle and I’ve by no means skilled an actual molt. This yr my Dixies molted greater than they ever have.
I reside in West Central Florida. Which means my chickens should have the ability to endure some intense warmth and humidity. My Dixie Rainbow Chickens have completed splendidly within the warmth of the summer season. Their egg manufacturing dropped off barely, however that’s anticipated.
Within the winter of 2021, the temperatures dipped down fairly low right here. Though it by no means received chilly sufficient, for lengthy sufficient, for me to fret about retaining my chickens heat in winter climate. The Dixies nonetheless did nice within the low 30’s. These chickens are nice adjusters!
In 2018 I purchased my first flock from The Chick Hatchery, but it surely appears like they now not present Dixie Rainbows at their hatchery. Right here’s my receipt from my buy in 2018, though count on costs to have modified given the present financial local weather.
Search your native poultry farms and in the event that they don’t have what you’re in search of, browse the net choices and choose up your chicks at your submit workplace. If ordering chicks by way of the mail appears wild, know that rooster lovers and poultry fans all around the world order chicks on-line – belief me, I used to be skeptical at first, too!
Up to date Friday, November 17, 2023: Hoover’s Hatchery appears to nonetheless present Dixie Rainbow Chickens.
Up to date Friday, November 17, 2023: Abendroth Hatchery, who I’ve by no means ordered livestock by way of, appears to additionally present Dixie Rainbow Chickens.
Be certain once you obtain your chicks that your brooder is correctly arrange! If that is your first time elevating chicks, I promise it isn’t that arduous.
Listed below are just a few sources to get you began:
Though there isn’t a number of info on the internet about this dual-purpose, hybrid breed rooster I can inform you they’ve been a pleasure to lift from slightly chick to previous chicks. You’ll get massive birds with even bigger, pleasant personalities.
I raised solely purebred Dixie Rainbows for some time, sustaining a small layer flock of 5-10 birds at a time and incubating eggs to lift meat birds as wanted. They have been a wonderful alternative for what I need in small yard flocks.
I’ve plans to keep up laying flocks of Australorps and Orpingtons ultimately as a result of they’re a few of my favourite rooster breeds. They’re additionally each in style decisions amongst hybrid lovers, producing a big hen and high quality meat. They’re additionally fantastic birds to look at as a result of their colour palette varies (try these Lavender Orpingtons!). So should you’re in search of a enjoyable, colourful journey out of your rooster elevating days, these are all nice choices!
However, there you might have it. The whole lot it’s essential find out about Dixie Rainbow Chickens! There are such a lot of rooster choices – White Rock chickens are one other twin objective breed that’ll completed early, whereas Freedom Rangers are a slower rising breed.
Relying in your private state of affairs, the quantity of house you might have and what your finish objective is, I promise there’s the right breed for you. It simply takes slightly studying, and possibly trial and error. That’s what this way of life is all about.
Pin it for later or to show you chicken lovin’ friends!
The newbie’s information to dixie rainbow chickens.
I initially discovered of the Dixie Rainbow rooster breed by studying on the Backyardchickens.com web site about hybrid breed chickens. I knew I wished a laying flock and a flock for meat manufacturing, so why not keep small yard flock of 6-7 hens that would do each?
If Dixie Rainbows have been as nice of a hybrid (dual-purpose hen) as I’d learn, they’d be the most effective meat rooster for my little homestead on the time. And in the event that they have been nice layers, as I’d learn, then ultimately I might simply elevate that breed.
Properly, that’s precisely what ended up taking place! The very best a part of selecting a hybrid breed rooster is it means that you can have the most effective of each worlds, with out having too many chickens operating round.
What do Dixie Rainbow Chickens appear to be? (Identification)
One superior attribute of rainbow dixie chickens is that they usually look completely totally different from one another! In actual fact, they’re categorized as a “rainbow” as a result of there’s no set look to them – every rooster has essentially the most distinctive feather sample. Their diverse feather patterns and colour patterns present a number of the most vibrant plumage and tail feathers. I skilled birds with each earthy colours and others with vibrant colours. They have been essentially the most distinctive chickens I raised, and are at the moment nonetheless my best choice (proper subsequent to Barred Rocks!).
The usual sample of a Dixie Rainbow is tan/brown and speckles, considerably like this image beneath.
However the stunning attribute of Dixie Rainbows is that once in a while you get a wild card. From our final flock, we received 2 brown hens, 2 extra customary wanting hens, 1 stunning speckled roo and the head-honcho and first-hatched the snow-white roo!
Some chicks may additionally have winged eyeliner or a small flick of black stretching from the nook of their eyes.
Conduct
These hybrid breed chickens are stuffed with nice personalities. Lively, they’ll strut across the yard like they’re the most effective breed there’s (they’re fairly near it!).
You’ll discover the hens are fantastic moms after they go broody, committing to the brood and hatching their younger to success. Be careful, although! A broody hen would possibly provide you with an excellent peck if she’s a dedicated mama, which is nearly all the time. Primarily, although, you’ll expertise a candy hen.
In actual fact, even once you incubate eggs they show their resilience. The few eggs that had hassle pipping or zipping have been fighters! It’s superb to look at slightly day-old chick resolve that at present is a day to reside, not die. We, in fact, help when acceptable!
I imply, simply have a look at this sturdy little chick!
As for the roosters, in my expertise, I haven’t had an aggressive Dixie Rainbow rooster but. Massive? Yep. You betcha. Slightly bit gradual to study? Sure, I’ll must admit.
However they’re good roosters and also you don’t have to fret about being attacked. They’ll watch over the hens and so they’re stunning. I haven’t had a foul wanting Rainbow Roo’ but!
Development
Since Dixie Rainbows are a dual-purpose breed, they develop faster than the common. When you’re elevating rainbows as meat birds, you may count on them to succeed in market weight round 12-13 weeks and will probably be 6-8 kilos of weight at maturity. BIG BIRD. That is the right weight for a broiler, or fryer.
At 12-13 weeks your flock can have full combs and wattles and your roosters will begin to cock-a-doodle-doo. That is my most up-to-date flock, and sure, they’re ALL Dixie Rainbows – full bred. The flock within the photograph beneath are roughly 13 weeks previous!
Twin objective birds don’t usually take longer than 18 weeks to succeed in market weight – and by that point you’ll have precise huge birds available. By 20-24 weeks of age or older, you’ll must plan to make the most of your chickens as roasters or stewing chickens. For extra info on the distinction in sizes when elevating, culling and cooking chickens you may learn this informative article from The Kitchn.
Though I’ve not raised Cornish Cross chickens, I didn’t love what I examine them. Cornish Cross chickens are most likely some of the stereotypical, generic meat chickens. It’s what you usually discover in factory-farmed setups, however I do know smaller homesteaders who select to lift Cornish Crosses.
The rationale I selected in opposition to it’s that they’re bred to develop at a really quick progress price, that means sooner or later they’ll probably not even have the ability to assist their very own weight. Cornish Cross chickens are an excellent breed in case you are good at sticking to a schedule, as they’ll must be promptly culled as soon as they’ve develop into a mature rooster. At their mature weight, Cornish Cross chickens can develop to eight lbs in as little as 8 weeks.
I’ve additionally learn to not elevate them in the summertime season as they aren’t heat-tolerant birds.
Egg Manufacturing
Egg manufacturing could be some of the necessary traits to take a look at in a rooster for most individuals. It’s completely doable to discover a breed of rooster that produces each high quality meat and gives a plethora of huge eggs all year long. Enter: twin objective, or “hybrid”, rooster breeds *cough…the dixies!*
What colour eggs do Dixie Rainbow chickens lay?
The rainbow layer rooster lays a medium-large brown egg, so should you’re in search of totally different egg colours then Dixies aren’t for you. These yummy brown eggs are sometimes extra in direction of the bigger measurement and I’ve even gotten just a few double yolks!
When you’d choose a flock that lays a wide range of eggs, you’ll want a wide range of birds. Fortunately, Dixie Rainbow chickens get alongside nicely with different breeds. Attempt pairing them with Buff Orpingtons, who’re a number of the greatest egg producers. For coloured eggs, select an Easter Egger breed that lays blue eggs! Easter eggers are a blue egg layer breed and, whereas they lay stunning eggs, they’re not the only option for a meat rooster as they keep fairly small.
I’ve raised Rhode Island Crimson chickens who’re additionally nice layers that lay gentle chocolate brown recent eggs. Totally different breeds herald a barely totally different egg colour starting from the usual white egg, blue eggs to darkish brown eggs to the Olive Egger, providing you with olive inexperienced eggs!
The choices are infinite, actually. Regardless of in case your chickens lay a number of eggs which are coloured or not, they’re all the identical on the within whatever the shell colour. Yummy, recent eggs with wealthy yellow-orange yolks!
Are rainbow chickens good layers?
On common, Dixie hens are nice egg producers, laying round 225-250 eggs a yr. Be mindful, to obtain optimum egg manufacturing you must all the time provide your hens with a feed of no less than 16-17% protein together with limitless entry to scrub water. Your native feed retailer, Tractor Provide or Rural King ought to have this. Dixies are a big measurement, quick rising hen.
When you provide them with correct care, a balanced food plan with satisfactory protein and clear ingesting water, they’ll provide you with stunning, farm-fresh eggs.
At what age do rainbow chickens begin laying eggs?
You possibly can count on these hybrid hens to start out laying on the finish of the spectrum of 20-24 weeks.
Jersey Big hens are environment friendly egg producers and hearty meat chickens. Among the many largest breeds, Jersey Giants are a fantastic dual-purpose rooster possibility on your homestead if in case you have the house. Barred Rocks and White Rocks are additionally a suitable dual-purpose breed of rooster, higher fitted to a smaller homestead than Jersey Giants.
Are rainbow chickens chilly hardy?
I’ve by no means had an issue within the winter with my hens not laying. In actual fact, optimum egg manufacturing for my Dixies have been all the time within the cooler months. I’ll say, although, that the summer season of 2020 was significantly sizzling and their laying considerably slowed down.
From my small flock of seven hens, I normally acquired 4-5 eggs per week. Within the warmth of the 2020 summer season with fixed warmth advisories, I used to be fortunate to get 4 eggs per week. This wasn’t the norm, although.
I reside in Japanese Kentucky now and stay up for elevating Dixie Rainbows on this cooler local weather, ultimately. I anticipate they’ll do nicely as they’re massive, hardy birds – comparable in form to Barred Rocks or a Buff Orpington.
Local weather
For folk who reside in additional southern states, you don’t must count on a foul molt from Dixie Rainbows. Right here’s an image of my flock within the winter of 2019. Our winters in Florida are fairly gentle and I’ve by no means skilled an actual molt. This yr my Dixies molted greater than they ever have.
I reside in West Central Florida. Which means my chickens should have the ability to endure some intense warmth and humidity. My Dixie Rainbow Chickens have completed splendidly within the warmth of the summer season. Their egg manufacturing dropped off barely, however that’s anticipated.
Within the winter of 2021, the temperatures dipped down fairly low right here. Though it by no means received chilly sufficient, for lengthy sufficient, for me to fret about retaining my chickens heat in winter climate. The Dixies nonetheless did nice within the low 30’s. These chickens are nice adjusters!
The place are Dixie Rainbow Chickens on the market?
In 2018 I purchased my first flock from The Chick Hatchery, but it surely appears like they now not present Dixie Rainbows at their hatchery. Right here’s my receipt from my buy in 2018, though count on costs to have modified given the present financial local weather.
Search your native poultry farms and in the event that they don’t have what you’re in search of, browse the net choices and choose up your chicks at your submit workplace. If ordering chicks by way of the mail appears wild, know that rooster lovers and poultry fans all around the world order chicks on-line – belief me, I used to be skeptical at first, too!
Up to date Friday, November 17, 2023: Hoover’s Hatchery appears to nonetheless present Dixie Rainbow Chickens.
Up to date Friday, November 17, 2023: Abendroth Hatchery, who I’ve by no means ordered livestock by way of, appears to additionally present Dixie Rainbow Chickens.
Be certain once you obtain your chicks that your brooder is correctly arrange! If that is your first time elevating chicks, I promise it isn’t that arduous.
Listed below are just a few sources to get you began:
Dixie Rainbow Chickens: Abstract
Though there isn’t a number of info on the internet about this dual-purpose, hybrid breed rooster I can inform you they’ve been a pleasure to lift from slightly chick to previous chicks. You’ll get massive birds with even bigger, pleasant personalities.
I raised solely purebred Dixie Rainbows for some time, sustaining a small layer flock of 5-10 birds at a time and incubating eggs to lift meat birds as wanted. They have been a wonderful alternative for what I need in small yard flocks.
I’ve plans to keep up laying flocks of Australorps and Orpingtons ultimately as a result of they’re a few of my favourite rooster breeds. They’re additionally each in style decisions amongst hybrid lovers, producing a big hen and high quality meat. They’re additionally fantastic birds to look at as a result of their colour palette varies (try these Lavender Orpingtons!). So should you’re in search of a enjoyable, colourful journey out of your rooster elevating days, these are all nice choices!
However, there you might have it. The whole lot it’s essential find out about Dixie Rainbow Chickens! There are such a lot of rooster choices – White Rock chickens are one other twin objective breed that’ll completed early, whereas Freedom Rangers are a slower rising breed.
Relying in your private state of affairs, the quantity of house you might have and what your finish objective is, I promise there’s the right breed for you. It simply takes slightly studying, and possibly trial and error. That’s what this way of life is all about.