This docile, calm breed is one of the hardiest and productive birds offered. Hens lay good sized eggs that have strong shell quality. A Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire Red cross produces a vigorous, hearty chicken in various shades of red with some darker tail feathers. Hens mature between four to five months and can be broody. Hens lay approximately 280 large brown eggs. They weigh five to six pounds at maturity. With excellent egg production and doing well in confinement or free-range, Production Reds make an ideal addition to your backyard flock. Baby chicks have red and orange down feathers and lighter colored faces. They have peach-colored legs and beaks.