Chicken farming has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people look to raise their own healthy, organic poultry. One popular breed for egg and meat production is the production red chicken. This dual-purpose bird thrives in backyard flocks and on small farms. But what exactly does this breed look like and what makes it well-suited for small scale production?
Origin and History
Production red chickens were developed in the 20th century by crossbreeding Rhode Island Red chickens and White Rock chickens. Chicken farmers were looking to create a productive dual-purpose breed that could provide both eggs and meat. The Rhode Island Red was prized for its rich, red-brown egg shells and excellent egg laying abilities. The White Rock was valued for its quick growth rate and plump, meaty body. By crossing these two heritage breeds, chicken producers succeeded in developing the production red – a hardy, healthy, and economical breed perfect for small farms and backyards.
Appearance and Size
As its name suggests, production red chickens have deep, lustrous red feathers covering their body, wings, and tail. Their single comb and wattles are also bright red adding to their distinct appearance. They have yellow skin and legs. Their eyes are a reddish bay color. Production reds are a medium to large sized breed. According to the American Poultry Association standards, roosters weigh 8.5-9.5 lbs and hens weigh 6.5-7.5 lbs. They have a broad, rectangular body shape which provides plenty of space for egg production.
Temperament
In addition to their striking good looks, production reds have a docile temperament that makes them a joy to raise. They are friendly, calm chickens that interact well with their human caretakers. They tend to be active foragers and excellent setters. If allowed to brood, hens make devoted mothers. These gentle birds do well when confined but also enjoy free ranging. They are hardy in cold winter weather. Overall, their mellow personality and low maintenance care make them ideal backyard chickens.
Egg Production
Egg production is one of the key benefits of raising production red hens. They are genetically bred to be prolific egg layers – especially in their first couple years of life. Here are some key facts about their egg laying abilities:
- Begin laying at 5-6 months old
- Lay approximately 200-280 brown eggs per year
- Reach peak production at 1-2 years old
- Continue laying consistently for 2-3 years
- Larger sized eggs compared to heritage chicken breeds
- Brown eggs with occasional pink tint
This impressive egg production makes them ideal for small farms, homesteads, and backyard flocks where the focus is on generating a consistent daily supply of eggs. The fact that they also provide meat as dual-purpose birds is an added benefit.
Meat Production
In addition to being prolific egg layers, production red chickens grow quickly and produce good dressed carcass weights making them suitable for meat production. Here are some key characteristics about their meat production abilities:
- Reached dressed weight of 3-5 lbs in 10-12 weeks when commercially raised
- Hens dress out at 4-6 lbs and roosters 6-8 lbs
- Lean meat with broad breast
- Moderate to rapid growth rate
- Efficient feed to meat conversion ratio
- Prefer foraging over sitting idle
While they may take a few weeks longer to reach target weight compared to commercial broiler chickens, their ability to produce an ample amount of quality meat makes them excellent for small scale production. Their dual-purpose traits allow backyard chicken raisers to benefit from both steady egg laying and dressed birds for meat.
Ideal Uses
So what are production red chickens best suited for? Here are some of their ideal uses:
- Backyard flocks
- Small farm egg and meat production
- Pastured poultry operations
- Homestead egg layers
- 4-H and FFA projects
- Small scale meat production
- Farm fresh egg business
Their versatility, heartiness, and productivity make them a great choice for the small farmer or homesteader looking to raise healthy and productive birds.
Comparison to Other Breeds
How do production reds compare to some other popular dual-purpose chicken breeds? Here is a comparison table:
| Breed | Egg Production | Egg Color | Growth Rate | Dressed Weight | Meat Quality | Climate Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production Red | Excellent | Brown | Moderate | Good | Good | Cold Hardy |
| Rhode Island Red | Excellent | Brown | Average | Moderate | Moderate | Cold Hardy |
| Barred Rock | Good | Brown | Good | Good | Excellent | Cold Hardy |
| Australorp | Excellent | Brown | Good | Good | Good | Heat Tolerant |
| Orpington | Good | Brown | Moderate | Excellent | Excellent | Cold Hardy |
As you can see, production reds compare favorably to other dual-purpose breeds in terms of egg laying, growth rate, and dressed carcass weight. The main difference is that some breeds like Orpingtons and Barred Rocks produce higher quality meat. But for the small farmer focused on egg production, the production red’s impressive laying rates help make up for moderately good meat qualities.
Pros and Cons
Here is a summary of the key pros and cons of raising production red chickens:
Pros:
- Excellent egg production
- Good growth rate and dressed weights
- Dual-purpose meat and eggs
- Docile, friendly temperament
- Low maintenance care
- Good forager
- Heat and cold hardy
- Ideal for small farms/backyards
Cons:
- Prone to getting overweight if overfed
- Moderate meat qualities
- Egg production declines after 2-3 years
- Not as attractive as ornamental breeds
Conclusion
With their vibrant red plumage, friendly personality, and stellar egg production, production red chickens are ideal backyard chickens and small farm birds. Their dual-purpose versatility provides a steady supply of eggs as well as dressed chickens for meat. While they may not have the gorgeous ornamental qualities of some heritage breeds, their productivity and heartiness make them a practical, low maintenance breed well suited for backyard flocks and small scale production. If you’re looking for an active, people-friendly breed that will generously supply your family with farm fresh eggs, the production red is an excellent choice. Their vibrant egg shells brighten up any carton of eggs at the farmers market too!