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New Hampshire Reds Question

post #1 of 108
11/17/09 at 7:00am
Thread Starter 

I am planning on starting a flock in the spring and am debating between Javas and NHRs for a dual purpose flock.  I have read that NHRs grow fairly quickly and to a nice size a bit on the bigger side and lay large, brown eggs.  It also says that they go broody often, which is something I want since I plan on free range and hen raising rather than incubating eggs.  However, I was reading some posts about NHRs here on BYC and a lot of people are saying that these days NHRs are bred more for their layer traits than meat since 'falling out of favor and becoming a heritage breed', which implies that they don't go broody too often and are leaner than 'the standard'.  I was wondering what your experience with NHRs is in terms of size and broodiness, general temperament, etc.

Our Zoo:  27 BOs, DH who knows I'm nuts, two munchkins 13 and 12, as well as two dogs, two cats, and one hamster... next up, Nigerian Dwarf Goats...
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Our Zoo:  27 BOs, DH who knows I'm nuts, two munchkins 13 and 12, as well as two dogs, two cats, and one hamster... next up, Nigerian Dwarf Goats...
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post #2 of 108
11/17/09 at 8:07am

Well I think that New Hampshire are a good all round breed IF you get them from a good breeder.. The New Hampshire that you get from the hatcheries are not good for much but laying eggs.
The New Hampshire should weigh around 8.5 lbs for males and 6.5 lbs for the hens.. The skin color is yellow and lay a brown egg. The temperament I would is good and are known to go broody.

The New Hampshire was bread from Rhode Island Reds and there is no record of any other outside blood having been introduced..
They should mature early, lay large brown eggs, quick to feather and have good strength and vigor..

Chris

 

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Breeding Large Fowl Single and Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds to APA Standard


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NPIP # 31-516
Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities http://sppa.webs.com/

Breeding Large Fowl Single and Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds to APA Standard


"I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares." – 

George Washington

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post #3 of 108
11/20/09 at 11:37am

I've been sort of casually looking out for a good source for New Hampshire Reds that could be used as a dual purpose bird.  I haven't found anything despite my proximity to New Hampshire!

Another breed you might look at is the Brahma.  I recently met a couple that raises Brahma every year, the roosters go to the freezer in the fall and the hens are kept for one year of egg production and then go into the freezer with the roosters the following year.  They are happy with the egg production and the meat.  Unlike you, they incubate eggs, but the breed is supposed to be on the broody side.


Edited by TimG - 8/12/11 at 4:11pm
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post #4 of 108
11/20/09 at 12:02pm

landoftobe@sstelco.com
Land of Tobe Poultry
P.O. Box 182
Salina, Oklahoma  74365

This fella Bill Braden advertises that he has New Hampshires.  If he is still raising them they will be good ones. 

I called him a year or so ago and he was not selling chicks as he was trying to build his flock. 

By the way (I know I am being picky here) these birds are called New Hampshires, I know that even many hatcheries refer to them as New Hampshire Reds but the APA standard does not include "Reds" 

Please I am not being snarky it is just that sometimes RIR breeders get touchy if the word Red is used to describe the New Hampshire breed

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post #5 of 108
11/20/09 at 12:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by greathorse 

Please I am not being snarky it is just that sometimes RIR breeders get touchy if the word Red is used to describe the New Hampshire breed


Thanks, I appreciate the correction.  Though I don't care one little bit whether the RIR breeders get touchy. smile

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post #6 of 108
11/20/09 at 1:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimG 
Quote:
Originally Posted by greathorse 

Please I am not being snarky it is just that sometimes RIR breeders get touchy if the word Red is used to describe the New Hampshire breed


Thanks, I appreciate the correction.  Though I don't care one little bit whether the RIR breeders get touchy. smile


OUCH that left a little mark  LOL

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post #7 of 108
11/20/09 at 4:58pm

I can't speak for broodiness as I incubate all of my hatching eggs, but I can speak for the size, beauty, & temperment of NHR. O'yea, I don't eat them... so can't comment on that either. Here's a photo of my rooster, Amos. I dunno how much he weighs but my guess is that he is on the heavy side of the standard, his breast is REALLY BIG, and here's the thing... he's only 30'ish weeks old in this photo!! Takes GREAT care of the flock, I've not lost a single hen to a hawk and we have lots of them. Takes great pride in performing his duties, wants to do'um all... even the ducks! I'm hatching eggs he helped poduce now. I don't have any pure NHR hens, only Buff & RIR.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/39717_dsc06079.jpg

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. I don't do PC, sorry.

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Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. I don't do PC, sorry.

My American Game Bantams - View My American Game Bantam Page
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post #8 of 108
11/20/09 at 5:00pm

I believe your bird is a RIR x Buff Orp cross MAllen.  It's legs are white, not yellow.

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Breeder of: Show Quality Blue and Black Langshans in both Largefowl and Bantam!  


Check out my site! HERE! Or click the text above!

I am a WOMAN!!  Correction, THE woman!

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post #9 of 108
11/20/09 at 5:35pm

Believe whatcha want, the lady I bought him from said NHR.

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. I don't do PC, sorry.

My American Game Bantams - View My American Game Bantam Page
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Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. I don't do PC, sorry.

My American Game Bantams - View My American Game Bantam Page
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post #10 of 108
11/20/09 at 5:39pm

Just saying...have a look at the standards.

NHR are supposed to have yellow legs.  White legs show a white-skinned breed influence.

Either way, he is a beautiful bird.

Breeder of: Show Quality Blue and Black Langshans in both Largefowl and Bantam!  


Check out my site! HERE! Or click the text above!

I am a WOMAN!!  Correction, THE woman!

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Breeder of: Show Quality Blue and Black Langshans in both Largefowl and Bantam!  


Check out my site! HERE! Or click the text above!

I am a WOMAN!!  Correction, THE woman!

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