"production reds which is a cross between a RIR and a delaware" NO!! cross between a RIR and a delaware are red sex links.
Red Sex Link Chickens can be developed using various red chicken breeds for the hen, but are always crossed with a
Rhode Island Red Rooster or a
New Hampshire Red Rooster. These particular
Red Sex Links are a cross breed utilizing the Delaware Hen and the
Rhode Island Red Rooster. The result is a prolific egg laying and quality meat bird with superior production value of its respective parents' breeds.
Production Red Chickens
The
Production Red Chicken Breed is a cross between the popular
Rhode Island Red Chicken and the
New Hampshire Red Chicken. They are bred to be a very capable and efficient egg production bird, yielding vast quantities of large brown eggs. They were developed later than the
Rhode Island Red Chicken to be less of a meaty bird.
They are smaller in size than
Rhode Island Reds, and have more brittle, lighter feathers. The color of the
Production Red Chicken is similar to the
Rhode Island Red, but they are noticeably lighter in color.
The demeanor of the birds is for the most part calm and docile. Although the
Production Red Rooster can become a bit aggressive, especially in
larger flocks. They are quite adaptable to a wide range of climates, and even make good winter laying birds. If you are looking for wonderful free-range egg production, the
Production Red Chicken is a great option.
Rhode Island Red Chickens
The
Rhode Island Red Chicken Breed boasts the title of America's most well known and popular chicken, though for many years the chicken breed was facing a critical decline in its breeding population. Thanks to many hobby hatcheries and backyard farmers the Rhode Island Red is now popular chickens among small farms and backyards today.
Rhode Island Red Chicks grow to be one of the most productive and useful dual purpose breeds across the country and world today. They have prolific egg production, and they will dress nicely as a table bird.
The
Rhode Island Red is also one of the most hardy of all dual purpose breeds, and they will thrive in almost any environment they could face in the United States. They have amenable dispositions and are a favorite among 4-H clubs and state fair competitions around the country. Their active disposition, hardy nature, and superb foraging ability helps them thrive in a free range environment as well.
Though the breed has become smaller over the last 60 years, they females still weigh over 6 pounds while the males over 8 pounds. The
Rhode Island Red Hens are excellent winter egg layers due to their heavier size and hardiness, and they will generally lay between 200-300 per year - perhaps the best dual purpose egg layer in production today. The hens can become broody, though not as frequently as some other breeds like the
Buff Orpington. Roosters can become aggressive, and it is generally best not to have more than one rooster for every 8 - 10 hens.
New Hampshire Red Chickens
Derived from the
Rhode Island Red Chicken in the early 20th Century, the
New Hampshire Red is a popular dual purpose chicken that will generally lay up to 250 eggs per year. Some attractive qualities of this heavy medium sized bird is its rapid growth, fast feathering, and early maturity make this red a quality and desirable meat bird on top of it's reliable egg laying abilities.
Developed in New England, the
New Hampshire Red was made an official breed, distinct from its close relative, in 1935. Like the
Rhode Island Red,
New Hampshire Red Hens lay large brown eggs that are excellent for human consumption.
New Hampshire Reds grow broody and make great mothers. This breed is also quite hardy during the winter time. They can be competitive and aggressive, but they handle confinement quite well.
I have both. One is lighter thats it. Mine are the same size etc etc. They all lay the same.If I sent you a pic 9-10 people could not tell me which one was what!!!
