If you had to choose between Barred Plymouth Rocks,Rhode Island Reds, or Production Reds. Which would it be and why? I'am looking to buy some brown egg layers and have these to choose from.Thank you in advance for your replies.
Production Reds. They're not show quality, but are very good at what they do. Which is lay eggs. They are just RIRs, but are just production centered, as opposed to showing centered. Plymouth rocks are very hardy, and also lay eggs well, and aren't as loud as RIRs, I've heard. They are friendly. I have one. She doesn't lay every day, but she's just a pullet and it is 4 degrees (F) outside, so I don't blame her. Rhode Island Reds are very good layers of large, lightish brown eggs, but can be a bit loud and aggressive. They aren't flighty, but they certainly aren't scared of people, and can be hard on more docile, less aggressive chooks. *coughbufforpingtoncough* The eggs are pretty great though
I would go with Rhode Island Reds. Barred rocks are good as well but Rhode Island Reds are better layers. and the Production Reds they can be aggressive, so they are not recomended for children.
or you can go with both Barred Rocks & RIR. if you have a RiR Roo over BRHen = Black sex link chicks which lay very well.
I've had all three, currently have BR's and RIR's and a few others. My BR's lay just as well as the reds. I've heard that too about RIR's and PR's being aggressive but I have never, ever had a single aggressive one. My nine year old picks them up and holds them and carries them around. I even have a RIR roo now that is a wonderful, well mannered fellow to us as well as his girls.
My barred plymouth Rock is the sweetest and the first to lay an egg! But the eggs are so far small. Caroline
I have twelve productions reds, got them at three weeks old, started laying at 5 months. They have been laying now for about 2 months and never get less than 9 eggs, usually 11 or 12. They are very friendly birds, will sit with the dogs, cats and goats with no problem. They don't like the cats going into their pen and will actually chase them out. When i first got the chicks, I was worried about the cats chasing them, seems I didn't need to worry LOL.
Rhode Island Reds because they lay large brown eggs and are a more hardy breed that lays a good amount of eggs in the winter. Most breeds slow down in the winter so your best bet is these. Hope this helps.
