Hatchery Rhode Island Reds vs Red Stars

[Franklinridgefarms]

Is there much difference, in egg quality, disposition?
Do the production RIR lay a similar number of eggs and do they lay a higher quality egg longer?

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

I have one RIR, suspected to be 2 years old, a Red Star (Golden Comet) who is 2-3, and an older Red Star (Golden Comet) who is 3+ years.

The RIR lays the best quality of eggs of my flock of 4 (I also have a Barred Rock). Her eggs are large and always look smooth and clean. She probably lays 5-7 eggs per week.
But as far as personality goes, my RIR is extremely skittish and wants barely anything to do with me.

My Red Stars lay nearly every single day. However, it seems that the quality of egg of these older ladies has gone down as they have aged. My RIR and my younger Red Star seem to be about the same age, but the Red Star's eggs often have bumps and calcium deposits. They are good quality now besides the bumps, but I wonder how long that will last. My older Red Star's eggs are of poor quality. It's rare that they don't break on impact, so I'm always cleaning up yolks and shells. She refuses oyster shells so it is what it is, at least until I find another solution.


From what I've heard, the Red Stars are superstar layers, but only for a few years. This is likely due to them being a hybrid. RIRs are nearly as good of layers. Not sure how long they lay, but I think a little longer than the Red Stars.


With all of that said, I say get both! My Red Stars are my favorites because of their social, curious, and funny personalities. My RIR does not have the best personality, but she lays great and does everything expected of a chicken. So I guess at the end of the day it just depends what your purpose is for the birds. Both are great producers in their prime (lay a very similar quality egg), but I would say the Red Stars are MUCH better family birds if you have kids who will be around the chickens.

 

[Franklinridgefarms]

I have one RIR, suspected to be 2 years old, a Red Star (Golden Comet) who is 2-3, and an older Red Star (Golden Comet) who is 3+ years.

The RIR lays the best quality of eggs of my flock of 4 (I also have a Barred Rock). Her eggs are large and always look smooth and clean. She probably lays 5-7 eggs per week.
But as far as personality goes, my RIR is extremely skittish and wants barely anything to do with me.

My Red Stars lay nearly every single day. However, it seems that the quality of egg of these older ladies has gone down as they have aged. My RIR and my younger Red Star seem to be about the same age, but the Red Star's eggs often have bumps and calcium deposits. They are good quality now besides the bumps, but I wonder how long that will last. My older Red Star's eggs are of poor quality. It's rare that they don't break on impact, so I'm always cleaning up yolks and shells. She refuses oyster shells so it is what it is, at least until I find another solution.


From what I've heard, the Red Stars are superstar layers, but only for a few years. This is likely due to them being a hybrid. RIRs are nearly as good of layers. Not sure how long they lay, but I think a little longer than the Red Stars.


With all of that said, I say get both! My Red Stars are my favorites because of their social, curious, and funny personalities. My RIR does not have the best personality, but she lays great and does everything expected of a chicken. So I guess at the end of the day it just depends what your purpose is for the birds. Both are great producers in their prime (lay a very similar quality egg), but I would say the Red Stars are MUCH better family birds if you have kids who will be around the chickens.

Thanks for your response I appreciate it.
That has been my experience with the Red Star/Golden Comets egg quality too.
I’m leaning more towards RIRs.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Thanks for your response I appreciate it.
That has been my experience with the Red Star/Golden Comets egg quality too.
I’m leaning more towards RIRs.

Yeah if you don't care about personality, I think the RIR has a slight edge over the Red Star/Golden Comet. I love my GCs, but if I only wanted high quality eggs I would go with the RIRs too.

Best of luck to you! Either way, you end up with a great chicken.

EDIT: I should also mention that I got all my chickens as adult hens. They all came from abuse/neglect backgrounds. So if you are planning on raising the RIRs as chicks, you may have a different experience with them and they may be more social toward you.