I know nothing about the production reds. I do want to defend my RIRs temprament. I bought mine at southern states in June. My family and I have taken care of them played with them. My children catch them all the time and they have never hurt them(we don't have a roo). Our two pet rabits have scratched the children more in two months than my reds ever have. As far as egg production goes we average 9 eggs a day out of 12 hens. We have enough eggs for ourselves and our parents. I couldn't be more pleases with my first chickens. I do want to try other breeds and I will in time but my reds are really making a good impression on me.