I regret ever getting Newhamsphires

[LoveThemBirds]

I regret ever getting this aggressive breed.I own 5 of them and they all are mean to the others.Actually I owns ix.Thoyght theyw ere nice?The two chicks are brutal and have NO mercy!The hens are very aggressive too,accept for bigfoot,she's old and low in the pecking order,but will take on our rooster.

 

[GitaBooks]

My "hens" were being bullied all the time. When I took them from the dominant rooster they turned into roosters! They sometimes don't show the signs (big comb and tail, ect) if they are low in the pecking order.

 

[Michael OShay]

Did you order your New Hampshires from a hatchery or get them from a feed store? Practically speaking, there is little or no difference between hatchery grade New Hampshires, hatchery grade RIRs, and Production Reds; and unlike heritage NHs and RIRs from reputable breeders, hatchery grade NHs and RIRs are frequently aggressive.

 

[LoveThemBirds]

I got most mines from a feed store..

 

[Michael OShay]

I got most mines from a feed store..

That explains why you're having issues with aggression. Feed stores order their chicks from hatcheries which have little or no regard for APA standards, particularly with Production Reds, which they often market as New Hampshires or RIRs depending on the shade of their feathering. The main concern of these hatcheries is egg production, and in order to achieve it, they occasionally infuse a little White Leghorn blood into their Production Reds which increases the high strung nature and aggression of these PRs. One thing you can do to help the situation is to make certain that your birds have plenty of space as overcrowding can quickly lead to aggression, fights, biting and feather plucking, and even cannibalism with any breeds.

 

[rc50]

Do you know a breeder I can get those Heritage New Hampshires you spoke of? In SC here,

 

[Diannastarr]

i have to agree , i had 2 that were mean, the other 2 are ok mostly, but you gotta love those great big wonderful eggs, i can always tell my NHR eggs from all the rest, SUCH LOVELY EGGS..!

 

[Michael OShay]

Do you know a breeder I can get those Heritage New Hampshires you spoke of? In SC here,

I don't know of any in that area, but I would post on our Chicken Breeders section at https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16/chicken-breeders-hatcheries and ask there. You can also try posting on our Breeding to the Standard of Perfection section at https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16188/exhibition-genetics-breeding-to-the-standard-of-perfection and on our New Hampshire Breed thread at https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/290040/new-hampshire-breed-thread. Be sure and avoid anything with the label New Hampshire Red on it as you will be just looking at more Production Reds under the New Hampshire label. The name of the breed as any reputable breeder will tell you is "New Hampshire," not "New Hampshire Red." Good luck in locating some pure New Hampshires in your area.

 

[rc50]

Hi thanks a ton for your info.... but I have tried just that a few times in the past few years and really NEVER gotten a response....
but thanks for all your help... I will try it again...

Keith
SC

 

[Michael OShay]

Hi thanks a ton for your info.... but I have tried just that a few times in the past few years and really NEVER gotten a response....
but thanks for all your help... I will try it again...

Keith
SC

You're welcome. I hope you can find someone in your state who breeds heritage New Hampshires.