Description

Production Red Chicken

Important Availability Note

Cackle Hatchery® discontinued its Production Red breeder pen in 2022. Customers interested in a similar brown egg layer may want to consider Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire chickens, Cinnamon Queens, Golden Comets, or other brown egg laying breeds.

Breed Overview

The Production Red Chicken is a vigorous, hardy brown egg layer developed for strong egg production, backyard usefulness, and friendly flock behavior. This bird looks similar to a Rhode Island Red, although it is usually lighter in color and may range from dark red to light red.

Cackle Hatchery® created the Production Red by crossing its best Rhode Island Red production line over its best New Hampshire production line. This cross produced a strong, healthy hen with excellent laying ability. Cackle’s Production Red hatching egg page also describes the cross as coming from its best Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire breeds.

Although Production Reds make excellent laying hens, they are not exhibition show chickens. Instead, they work best as practical production layers, backyard egg birds, and friendly pet chickens.

Appearance and Characteristics

Production Reds have a red feather color that can vary from light red to dark red. Compared with Rhode Island Reds, they often look lighter and may show more color variation.

Expected traits include:

• Red to light red plumage
• Similar appearance to Rhode Island Reds
• Lighter color than many Rhode Island Reds
• Vigorous and hardy nature
• Large to extra-large brown eggs
• Friendly backyard temperament
• Production-focused laying ability
• Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production-line parentage
• Backyard pet value
• Not intended for exhibition

Because Production Reds come from production-focused parent lines, customers should choose them for egg production and flock usefulness rather than show standards.

Egg Production and Brown Eggs

Production Red hens lay lots of large to extra-large brown eggs. That makes them a strong choice for customers who want productive backyard hens and dependable brown egg baskets.

Their Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire background supports this production value. Rhode Island Reds remain one of Cackle Hatchery’s most popular brown egg laying breeds, and New Hampshires also contribute practical production traits. Cackle’s Rhode Island Red listing emphasizes the breed’s popularity for large brown eggs.

Egg production can vary by individual hen, feed, daylight, age, season, and flock management. However, Production Reds were designed first and foremost as useful egg-laying chickens.

Temperament and Backyard Suitability

Production Reds are vigorous, healthy, and friendly. They can make enjoyable backyard hens because they combine egg production with pet value.

This bird can work well for:

• Backyard egg flocks
• Brown egg customers
• Families wanting friendly hens
• Homesteads
• Small farms
• Customers wanting practical layers
• Pet chicken flocks
• Beginner poultry keepers who want dependable eggs

Because Production Reds are not show birds, they are best for customers who care more about eggs, hardiness, and personality than exact exhibition type.

Production Red vs Rhode Island Red

Production Reds and Rhode Island Reds look similar, but they are not exactly the same.

A Production Red is a production-focused cross from Cackle Hatchery’s Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production lines. It usually has lighter red plumage and strong brown egg production.

A Rhode Island Red chicken is a recognized breed known for hardiness, large brown eggs, and classic dark red plumage. Cackle describes Rhode Island Reds as one of the most popular brown egg laying chickens.

Choose Production Reds if you want a practical production-style layer and are not concerned with exhibition standards.

Choose Rhode Island Reds if you want the classic breed identity and a currently available Cackle Hatchery brown egg layer.

Production Red vs New Hampshire

Production Reds also share traits with New Hampshire chickens because Cackle used its New Hampshire production line in the cross.

A Production Red combines Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production genetics for vigor, health, and egg-laying ability.

A New Hampshire chicken generally has a lighter red or chestnut color than many Rhode Island Reds and offers dual-purpose utility. Meyer Hatchery notes that New Hampshires tend to look brighter red or chestnut compared with darker Rhode Island Reds.

Choose Production Reds if you want the cross that combines both production lines.

Choose New Hampshires if you want a separate breed with its own production and dual-purpose history.

Production Red vs Cinnamon Queen

Production Reds and Cinnamon Queens both serve customers who want useful brown egg layers, but they come from different breeding programs.

A Production Red is a Rhode Island Red production line crossed with a New Hampshire production line.

A Cinnamon Queen chicken is another strong brown egg layer bred for productive backyard use.

Choose Production Reds if you want the classic red production cross described here.

Choose Cinnamon Queens if you want a currently offered brown egg production breed from Cackle Hatchery.

Production Red vs Golden Comet

Production Reds and Golden Comets both appeal to customers who want reliable brown egg production.

A Production Red is a red production cross based on Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production lines.

A Golden Comet chicken is a popular production-style brown egg layer known for backyard usefulness and strong laying ability.

Choose Production Reds if you are researching Cackle’s discontinued red production cross.

Choose Golden Comets if you want a currently available Cackle Hatchery brown egg layer.

Is the Production Red Chicken Right for Your Flock?

Choose Production Red chickens if you want to learn about:

• A vigorous brown egg layer
• A hardy backyard hen
• Large to extra-large brown eggs
• A Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production cross
• A lighter red bird similar to a Rhode Island Red
• A practical egg-laying chicken
• A friendly pet chicken
• A non-exhibition production bird

However, because Cackle Hatchery® discontinued its Production Red breeder pen in 2022, customers should review currently available alternatives before planning an order. In short, Production Reds were best for customers who wanted a healthy, vigorous, friendly laying hen rather than a show-quality bird.

Care and Housing Tips

Production Reds need the same dependable care as other backyard brown egg layers. They do best with clean housing, balanced feed, fresh water, and predator protection.

For best results, provide:

• A dry, well-ventilated coop
• Predator-resistant fencing
• Clean bedding
• Fresh water at all times
• Balanced chick starter and age-appropriate layer feed
• Nest boxes for large brown eggs
• Enough roosting space
• Shade and airflow during hot weather
• Protection from drafts and damp bedding in cold weather
• Enough space for active production hens

Because Production Reds were vigorous laying hens, good nutrition mattered. A balanced feed program helped support egg size, shell quality, and long-term hen health.

Recognition and Availability

The Production Red was not an exhibition show chicken. Cackle Hatchery® developed it as a practical production laying hen and backyard pet chicken by crossing its Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production lines.

Cackle Hatchery® discontinued the Production Red breeder pen in 2022. However, Cackle’s current site still lists a Production Red product page and hatching egg information in search results, so customers should confirm current ordering status directly through the product page, cart, or Chicken Availability Chart. Cackle notes that its availability chart updates frequently and that available shipping dates appear during checkout.

Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources

Customers who like Production Reds may also enjoy other brown egg layers and production-style backyard chickens.

Helpful Cackle Hatchery® links for this product page include:

• Rhode Island Red chickens
• New Hampshire chickens
• Cinnamon Queen chickens
• Golden Comet chickens
• Brown Egg Layers for Sale
• Dual Purpose Chickens for Sale
• Baby chicks for sale
• Chicken Breed Selector
• Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart
• Chicken Availability Chart

FAQ: Production Red Chicken

What is a Production Red Chicken?

A Production Red Chicken is a vigorous brown egg layer created from Cackle Hatchery’s Rhode Island Red production line crossed with its New Hampshire production line.

Is a Production Red the same as a Rhode Island Red?

No. Production Reds look similar to Rhode Island Reds, but they are usually lighter in color and come from a Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production cross.

What color are Production Red chickens?

Production Reds can range from dark red to light red. They are generally lighter than many Rhode Island Reds.

What color eggs do Production Reds lay?

Production Red hens lay brown eggs.

What size eggs do Production Reds lay?

Production Red hens lay large to extra-large brown eggs.

Are Production Reds good egg layers?

Yes. Production Reds were bred to be vigorous, healthy egg-producing hens.

Are Production Reds good backyard chickens?

Yes. Production Reds can make good backyard laying hens and pet chickens because they are hardy, vigorous, and friendly.

Are Production Reds exhibition chickens?

No. Production Reds are not exhibition show chickens. They are production laying hens.

What breeds created the Production Red?

Cackle Hatchery® created the Production Red by crossing its best Rhode Island Red production line over its best New Hampshire production line.

Are Production Reds friendly?

Yes. Production Reds are generally friendly and can work well as backyard pet chickens.

Are Production Reds good for beginners?

Yes. Their hardiness, egg production, and friendly nature can make them a good choice for beginner poultry keepers.

What is the difference between Production Red and New Hampshire?

Production Reds come from a Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production cross. New Hampshires are their own breed and generally show a lighter chestnut-red color than Rhode Island Reds.

What is the difference between Production Red and Cinnamon Queen?

Production Reds are a Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire production cross. Cinnamon Queens are a different production-style brown egg layer offered by Cackle Hatchery.

What is the difference between Production Red and Golden Comet?

Production Reds are a red production cross based on Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire lines. Golden Comets are another production-style brown egg layer bred for strong laying ability.

Did Cackle Hatchery® discontinue Production Reds?

Yes. The product note states that Cackle Hatchery® discontinued its Production Red breeder pen in 2022.

Where can I check current Production Red availability?

Customers should confirm current status through the Production Red product page, cart, or Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart. The availability chart updates frequently and checkout shows available shipping dates.