New Hampshire Breed for Exhibition & SOP

[Matt1616]

Yes George...I do think the breed is getting better each year. There is more and more people showing them which leads to more people becoming interested in them which leads to more people breeding them. I think in another 5 years you will see them as one of the top American breeds at the shows. They are doing quite well now but I think it will get better.

I believe the majority of the New Hamps out there are crosses and that has contributed to the inconsistency in offspring. My line is starting to stabilize I think. I would like to see more consistency in future generations. They tend to be all over the place as far as type and color.

Matt

 

[gjensen]

Yes George...I do think the breed is getting better each year. There is more and more people showing them which leads to more people becoming interested in them which leads to more people breeding them. I think in another 5 years you will see them as one of the top American breeds at the shows. They are doing quite well now but I think it will get better.

I believe the majority of the New Hamps out there are crosses and that has contributed to the inconsistency in offspring. My line is starting to stabilize I think. I would like to see more consistency in future generations. They tend to be all over the place as far as type and color.

Matt

Well, I hope so. I hope they do not become a hear today, gone tomorrow. It does seam that a lot of people are picking them up. Hopefully there will be a few more like yourself that get a good start and go with them for a length of time.

If I come up with a bird or two, that is pretty good, I would like to show them at a couple shows nearby. I have not hatched anything to brag on. I do think there are a couple people in this State that has them.

I also hope that we will continue to get a sense of good NH type. Color is another conversation all together.

You are right. 8 years ago when I started trying to play around with this breed, I could not find a good bird. These birds coming onto the scene turned things around. Couldn't even find anyone interested in them then. I know that I was tickled when I stumbled across them. I like them as much now as I did then. I will probably never be "happy", but they are a world away from what I started with. I still think that they have as much potential as any breed. It is good to see you doing as well as you are with them. They are good looking birds.

 

[desertmarcy]

Well this thread is not very active. Maybe I can get some opinions (Matt?) on these hens. Since there was talk of the tails being too high in the NH hens...here goes, tell me if any of these have tails LOW enough ?? I think they are all too high. Hens are my original pure German birds, hatched 2012.

Blue band:


Black band:


Lavender band:


White band:


Yellow band:

 

[LindaB220]

Marcia, I would say that "Blue Band" and "Yellow Band" are right about where they need to be. Lavendar Band is to high and the other 2 are borderline.

This is the Schilling picture. This is what I breed for... You be the judge.



Matt

This is good to have a visual of the best . Thanks Matt...

 

[gjensen]

The Schilling prints are the best representations that we have for type and color. When I read the Standard description this is the color and type that I see.

The main points that always stick out to me is . . .They are not birds known for length. They are instead wide birds, with depth. Their capacity comes from their width and depth. The bird in the print has a good strong frame, set on strong legs. A prominent breast, deep keel, and good width. It is not a bird with a lot of length.

NHs were known for their rate of maturity, early fleshing, and speed of feathering. Birds with long and tall frames, generally take more time to fill out. The NH reputation is grounded in the breed's type, and size. The Standard weight acts as an anchor of sorts.

 

[LindaB220]

The Schilling prints are the best representations that we have for type and color. When I read the Standard description this is the color and type that I see.

The main points that always stick out to me is . . .They are not birds known for length. They are instead wide birds, with depth. Their capacity comes from their width and depth. The bird in the print has a good strong frame, set on strong legs. A prominent breast, deep keel, and good width. It is not a bird with a lot of length.

NHs were known for their rate of maturity, early fleshing, and speed of feathering. Birds with long and tall frames, generally take more time to fill out. The NH reputation is grounded in the breed's type, and size. The Standard weight acts as an anchor of sorts.

Would you suggest mixing the German and the Regular together?

 

[Matt1616]

Would you suggest mixing the German and the Regular together?

What Regular ones are you referring to?

Matt

 

[LindaB220]

What Regular ones are you referring to?

Matt

American bred standard

 

[gjensen]

Would you suggest mixing the German and the Regular together?

It might be best to get the best that you can find. Then work with them for a couple generations before making any decisions about using anything else. It takes a bit to know what you have, what you do not have, and what you need. Even then it could be wise to introduce something on the side, and decide whether or not it could hurt or help before introducing the new blood to the main effort.

To go outside, it seams best if it is for a particular reason. There should be a goal in mind. Then having some control over the influence. Any breeding effort of any sort needs a goal and direction. It is hard to do anything positive just mixing and matching.

Ask ten people, and you might get ten different responses. Mine is no better than any other you might get. Just be careful for what you ask for.

Matt, can probably share some helpful thoughts on the subject.

 

[Matt1616]

American bred standard

There are very few American lines still in existence. Do you have a particular line in mind?

Likewise...there are very few pure German bird left. Most are crossed.

Matt