This article is all about the Red Ranger chicken ‘breed’. We will discuss the origin, use, and raising of Red Ranger chickens. If you are looking to order day-old Red Ranger chicks, check out Red Ranger Sale page.
Origin of the Red Ranger Chicken
The origin of the Red Ranger isn’t very clear, but it is most likely a selected line of the original Cornish Cross that we talked about in this article here. The original Cornish Cross was made up of Cornish x New Hampshire x White Plymouth Rocks, and since New Hampshires were bred from crossing Barred Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. There are rumors that the Red Ranger was bred in France in the 1960’s. It’s very likely that the Red Ranger started as a colored broiler line bred back to Rhode Island Reds.
Even today, some Cornish Cross lines throw the occasional colored sport due to the ‘breeds’ mixed ancestry. Red Rangers have the coloring of Rhode Island Reds and the body of Cornish Cross. There are multiple similar-looking meat birds marketed as Red Rangers, Freedom Rangers, etc. For simplicity, I will refer to all red broilers as Red Rangers. The Red Ranger was developed to be a more robust meat bird. Robust meat birds are favored for their slower growth and the ease of raising them on pasture.
Globally, European countries prefer slower-growing robust broilers, while the US prefers the traditional Cornish Cross. However, consumer preferences drive change in the industry, and the US is seeing more consumer interest in slower-growing broilers.
Main Specs
| Type | Slower-growing red broiler |
| Processing age | Usually 12 to 16 weeks |
| Best for | Backyard growers and pasture-based systems |
| Key trait | More robust and slower-growing than Cornish Cross |
| Can be bred? | Yes |
| Egg production | About 150 to 170 eggs per year |
| Color | Red-feathered / Rhode Island Red-like coloring |
Global Companies That Breed Red Ranger
Globally, there are three companies that dominate the colored broiler industry: Aviagen, Hubbard, and Sasso. These three companies have acquired many of the best breeding lines of the twentieth century and are at the forefront of breeding poultry for pastured and free-range growing systems.
Aviagen is an American company established in 1923. They offer four different combinations in their Rowan Range portfolio: Ranger Premium, Rustic Gold, Ranger Classic, and Ranger Gold. Ranger Premium and Ranger Classic pair Aviagen males with brown Ranger females. Ranger Gold pairs the Gold male with the brown-feathered Ranger female. The Rustic Gold appears to be a selected line from the Rowan Range portfolio. At the time of this writing, the male and female lines are unnamed. While Aviagen’s colored broilers aren’t solid red, they are still a great option for those looking for a slower-growing broiler.
Hubbard started out as a farm in 1921 in New Hampshire, USA. Hubbard offers eight female lines and ten male lines in the Premium Male collection. Hubbard lines are well-suited to slower-growing operations. Their lines meet the criteria for multiple specialty labels and markets worldwide. Hubbard offers 4 red Ranger-type males and 2 lines of Red Ranger-type females.
According to their website, Sasso began in the 1950’s by a farmer named Serge Perrault in the South-West of France. The company was officially created in 1978 to cater to Label Rouge. A highly coveted certification that guarantees superior food quality for food products. Sasso offers a number of broiler lines to mix and match. The lines that most likely are used to create Red Rangers are SA31A, SA51A, Ruby C (C44), Ruby T (T44), and Ruby N (XL44N). Both the SA31A and SA51A are the only two female lines that Sasso offers in North America. When paired with one of the above male lines, a Red Ranger-type bird results. The Ruby T is marketed as a dual-purpose breed, great for the production of meat and eggs. Performing very well in free range systems and requiring little oversight, this strain stands out as an ideal bird for the homesteader or small farmer looking to raise broilers in a more natural environment.
How to Raise Red Ranger Chickens
Raising Red Ranger chickens doesn’t differ much from raising Cornish Cross chickens. From hatch to processing is usually 12-16 weeks. Commercial growers of Red Rangers process their birds closer to the 12-week mark. However, 12 weeks is still standard for many backyard/homestead growers. Have a look at our processing kits here.
Feed your birds medicated feed for the first four weeks, grower feed for weeks 5-10, and a finisher feed or corn for the last two weeks. Red Rangers require heat until week 4; by that point, they should be sufficiently feathered. At week 6, they can be moved outside and given access to pasture, weather permitting. Check out our chick brooders here.
Compared with Cornish Cross, Red Rangers are usually more active and better suited to moving around on pasture. That extra activity can make them easier for some homesteaders to manage, but it also means they take longer to reach processing weight. Anyone choosing between the two should think about speed, feed efficiency, space, and whether they want a bird that behaves more naturally outdoors.
Benefits of Raising Slower-Growing Meat Birds
Raising slower-growing meat birds has many benefits. One of the most notable differences between store-bought chicken and homegrown chickens is taste. A bird that moves around, displays natural behaviors, and exercises has superior flavor. Slower growth means more developed muscle tissue, more fat deposits, and firmer meat. This all translates into a more flavorful bird. In Raising Chickens for Meat, I discuss this in more detail. Raising broilers that will forage naturally also reduces your feed costs.
The tradeoff, of course, is time. Slower-growing birds usually cost more to raise because they stay on feed longer, so the decision is not only about taste or welfare, but also about your budget and processing timeline.
Breeding Red Ranger Chickens
With their slower growth, it is possible to raise Red Rangers to sexual maturity. In fact, it’s possible to breed your own Red Rangers. If you breed your own Red Rangers, your birds will not be as uniform as the previous generation. Red Ranger pullets and hens lay about 150-170 eggs a year. If you plan to keep a breeding flock, manage them as you would a heavy dual-purpose breed or a meat breed like the Cornish.
Last Words
In conclusion, the Red Ranger is a generic name used for red-feathered broilers with a slower growth habit. There are multiple Red Ranger-type broilers available on the market that provide a robust, slower-growing broiler that is ideal for those looking to grow chickens at home. The exact parentage of the Red Ranger is unclear even today, but there are decades of research and intentional breeding behind these birds.
Resources
- northamerica.sasso-poultry.com
- volaillelabelrouge.com
Written by:
Aryeh Wiesel
