I bought these 2 chicks from a breeder who said they were the same breed, New Hampshire Reds. They do look slightly different. Maybe one is just younger? The chick on the right is the same in both photos. Thanks for any help!
The same thing happened to me. I ordered 4 RIR's from MPC. 2 are darker and 2 are lighter. I thought maybe the lighter ones were what they call Production Reds. I believe them to be RIR's mixed with NHR. Not sure if this is correct or not, but they are all pretty birds.
I think you just got them from a "breeder" who simply got them from a hatchery. Hatchery based/quality New Hampshires do vary in color and even in head shape. All in all, they're probably crossbred somewhere back there. . . Hatcheries really aren't the best at their so called "purebred" breeding, and there's plenty of "breeders" who just get hatchery stuff and breed them to sell.
she is a "backyard breeder" and had all ages there, so I am sure they were hers, though I am not sure she knew what she was talking about. I am happy with a pretty hen, but I bought them for laying. Luckily I have 7 mature leghorns if these don't produce that well. Thanks for your help.
They are both hatchery type New Hampshire's. If the "Breeder" is calling them New Hampshire Reds then the chances are real good that they got there birds from a hatchery. The true name of the breed is a New Hampshire. Chris
They could be production RIR or New Hampshires..either way they are nice birds. Just to throw this in...the bird on the left looks like a roo. At least you will be able to breed more of them when the grow up.
