Well I have Production Reds but I saw pictures of Rhode Island Reds and like the colors on them better. And I read Production Reds do not go broody that much.
For me it would definetly be the RIR's they are great layers and so much prettier than production red's. But if all you are after is eggs I would probably go with the productions.
We hatched out about 600 production reds this Spring and sold all but about 60 or so. They lay big eggs, often. They are not what I would call lap chickens by any means, but there were a couple of real sweet girls. The roosters were always trying to start some mess with me too.
I think they're both great, and production reds are often RIR crosses. I adore my golden comets, friendly, easy to raise, lovely eggs, still producing 11-12 a day this time of year. It's personal preference!
I started out with intentions of only purebred flocks and now have to admit I would have both at once, mixed in w/each other
We have 10 production reds (although I refer to them as RIR's, since most people don't understand "production reds", and "RIRs" are more recognized). I've been very happy with our production reds and I agree with a previous poster about egg size. We have at least 2 hens who lay HUGE eggs that are always too big for the egg carton. I don't treat our birds as pets, so they aren't overly "social", but they aren't mean in any way. I would definitely get this breed again in the future.
