Rhode Island Red's...

[silkiechicken]

I think that's right, not really a full cross, but that they used the NHR's and the RIR's to get the egg laying qualities out of them.

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

Well, my new girls are sex-links...RIR and RIW crosses. And now that they've been here almost 2 weeks, I am LOVING them!

At first they were wild as they could be, but in this short period of time they've settled down beautifully. A couple of them are really friendly, even eating out of my hand and hopping up into my lap. And at not quite 20 weeks of age, 5 out of the 10 are already popping out large eggs. I'm sold on da Rhodies...

 

[Alexis]

I guess that would explain the DARK reds as well as some really "pink" colored hens in the bunch. Just a little of this, little of that

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
I think they use hig production strains from each to cross or maybe even double cross between the two reds.

The reason they call them "production reds" then is if you look at the Standard of Perfection for RIR or NHR a production red would have a lot of imperfections and 'flaws'. You can't get good looks and high performance both. :0

 

[MRNpoultry]

Do my hens look like production reds or pure reds?

 

[claud]

There's a reason RIRs are such popular birds. RIRs were my first birds ~9 years ago and I still have two of them that lay one egg every day between the two of them during longer days of the year. My roo was the nicest roo - I miss him - you could turn your back on him without a worry(not so for my current Marans roo). The hens are really nice, calm birds. Mine are most likely the production type.

 

[kaylakala]

I have 2 out of my 15 that are a lighter color than all the others. (They're 6 weeks old)

What does that signify?

 

[LynneP]

Nice thread and fabulous pictures, I've been quietly following and thinking that I'll be happy with my Red Comets (should be RIRxNew Hampshire?) on May 16.

 

[Gypsi]

Are there any PROBLEMS with Production Reds - such as - stop laying eggs after 18 months of age, calcium processing issues?