New Hampshire Red and Black Australorp

[Mystery Peepers]

Can anyone tell me about New Hampshire Red laying hens and Black Australorp laying hens? Also, how good is their egg laying? I know the reds lay brown eggs and the blacks lay white. That's about it. THanks

-Mystery Peepers

 

[Davaroo]

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NHR's and A-lorps both lay brown eggs, so I'm not sure where you got your information. White eggs are the product of a decidedly different class of chicken.

That said, they are both excellent layers, highly regarded. 200 egg years with either of these should be no great feat, for even a beginner.

 

[chookster77]

Here's a website you might find useful in making a choice:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

People often confuse Production Reds with NH's--very different beasts in my experience.

Good luck!
TC

 

[Kim_NC]

I have both. They both lay well, Lg to XL eggs. Their eggs are a darker shade than our Barred Rock eggs. The BAs are quieter, more laid back, than the NHReds. Both are certainly friendly enough though.

We're moving toward more RIRs, and slowly out of the NHReds. We sell POL pullets....the RIR is more popular.

 

[Mystery Peepers]

Thank you!

I've noticed that the BA seems MUCH more friendly. She'll let me pick her up. The NR is mean. She bullies the smaller chickens in the run!!

thanks again!

-M.P.

 

[Davaroo]

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Ah, so you already have them and were looking for affirmation. Why didnt you say so?

They are both great breeds, Ive had em both. The BA's are pretty docile; and one of thew chickens which gave sign that it even acknowledged my presence on earth was an Autralorp. They lay well and at one time held the world record was held by an Australorp (which to my knowledge has not been beaten): 364 eggs in 365 days!

Hamps are typically no slouches in the egg department, either. I also find them to be a little feistier than the BA's, but I consider that a good thing. I want vigorous, assertive chickens, not milk sops. I also find I prefer their cinammon red coloring to the A-lorps black/green. But not by much.

Both are good breeders and fair brood hens as a rule. you can hardly go wrong with them. I would say that with most strains, the BA makes a better pet.

 

[cluckychick]

The black australorp actually at one time held the title for most eggs produced in a year. They are egg laying machines. I sold all mine but only because a gentleman paid more than I could pass up. I now have 6 new ones growing out.

 

[Davaroo]

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They even had a postage stamp issued in their honor.

Keep in mind that todays hacthery or hobby bred Australorp is unlikely to be the next world champ - well, not without a TON of selective breeding over many years.

The breed itself was a hybrid of several others and that particular hen (who had no name, by the way) was bred to become that special bird. Her efforts were part of a selective breeding experiment, part of an international contest, way back in the 1920's, IIRC. It wasn't luck or chance, but concerted effort, that won that title.

Much the same can be said about the Hamps, which were initially bred to compete commercially with the Rhode Island Red.
The same thing holds true for these - todays progeny strains are removed from their successful forbears. Only concerted effort and selection will give you birds that attain blue-ribbon egg laying abilites.

Nonetheless, the fact remains that with either, good breeding holds generally true and they are both excellent layers.

 

[Chickenberry]

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Great site Chooster77! Thanks!

 

[Duramaxgirl]

I have both! The NHRs are thee best layers! And after their first birthday you get just HUGE eggs from them! They are friendly and super curious.
The black australorps are good layers to but in my opinion not quite as good as the NHRs. They also don't seem as friendly... but I love color so having a black and red and a few white chickens in your flock is so fun! For white chickens I love my delawares! Also good layers and VERY friendly...

good luck