Rhode Island Red vs. Production Red

[lil'chickies]

What's the difference between the two? Thanks for any help!

 

[PotterWatch]

I think the main difference is color. Hatcheries breed birds more for egg production than breed standard so RIRs that come from a hatchery tend to be from a lighter colored, but more prolific egg-laying strain.

 

[Mahonri]

True RIR will be a deep dark red. Production reds are much lighter and it's said that they lay better. I have both and one of my RIR lays almost everyday just like the Prod. Red.

 

[dr_lukanov]

Production reds are autosexing Rhode Island cross (male Rhode Island Red x female Rhode Island white mutation). Hatching female chicks is brown and male chicks is white. Brown egg layers lay 300-320 eggs/year with wight 63-64 gr and Rhode Island Red lay 220-240/58 gr. Production reds are much lighter.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I think you're thinking of red sex-links dr_lukanov.

Production reds are bred for egg production. They have lost the "brick" shape that a true RIR has. They range from a "triangle" shape to a square shape. A true RIR will look like a brick with the edges shaved off. A production red is a lighter color and can range from a yellow-ish color to a dark red. A true RIR will be so dark they are almost black.

Production Red Hen:

True RIR Hen:

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:
The comparison to a brick was the best description that I've heard yet.
Thanks!

 

[dr_lukanov]

I confess the mistake, I talked about redsex-links. Excuse me!