New Hampshire Red? Identity Confusion Among My Flock

[CabritaChicks]

I know this topic comes up a lot, but I need some help sorting things out. I have three pullets—supposedly Rhode Island Reds (they were shipped to the island as tiny little ping pong aballs)— now around 15 weeks old. Isla was always the lightest in color and quickly became my girl. Indigo, the darkest one, was my husband’s pick. Iris was kind of a random choice as the guy said she looked healthy.

Out of the three, I bonded the most with Isla. I could always tell her apart by her lighter feathers and beak. But lately, the one I thought was Indigo has become super vocal, first to make friends with the newer birds (leads/follows them around actually), and is suddenly a total cuddle bug. Grabbed a morning video when the sun was coming up- apologies about the stupid expensive temporary coop- that is another story).

Now here’s the funny part: since my husband picked Indigo, I basically ignored her as a chick. (Okay—cue the drama—but I just really wanted one with a more interesting feather combination, and Indigos feathers didn’t look like they’d develop into anything special. I mean, Isla had that soft biege lacing that was sure to turn out gorgeous!)

But now... I’m second-guessing everything. Isla (or who I think is Isla and she was my buddy- we even went on beach walks**) suddenly wants nothing to do with me** but has these light chestnut feathers, while Indigo (or maybe not Indigo? with a black tail) follows me around like we’ve been besties forever, copies my every move, pecks at my clothing for lap time and is SOO loud.

I don’t necessarily care one way or the other—I love them all—but curiosity has struck me. I just don’t know what to call them anymore? Can I still say 'My RIR's'? Are they RIRs? Its 3:30am, I couldn't sleep for other reasons....

What does it mean when a hen is constantly clingy and VERY talkative?

I read an article on RIR's versus NH reds, and I cant get it out of my head... and now I’m determined to figure out who’s who is what/who.

 

[BurbCoop]

It’s like Days of Our Lives with chickens

Where did they come from, breeder or hatchery? Hatchery RIRs (or even backyard RIRs) can vary quite a bit as they are not selectively breeding for specific traits, qualities or standards. They’re just producing bulk RIRs from a stock of RIRs.

It’s always possible a New Hampshire or Production Red was accidentally sorted in, but those would need to be available breeds from wherever they were sourced from. New Hampshire chicks are typically a lot lighter than a RIR. A Production Red or other hybrid can go either way, or in between.

As for the clingy and very talkative, all I can say is there is always one As I was typing this response, I had to go outside and stop our very clingy, nosey and vocal hen from waking up the entire neighborhood

 

[CabritaChicks]

It’s like Days of Our Lives with chickens

Where did they come from, breeder or hatchery? Hatchery RIRs (or even backyard RIRs) can vary quite a bit as they are not selectively breeding for specific traits, qualities or standards. They’re just producing bulk RIRs from a stock of RIRs.

Haha, maybe like my other 4 chickens (which I hatched from eggs shipped in the mail versus picked up chicks)- the 'in-betweens'.

Breeder/Hatchery? Honestly—I have no idea. I live on a tiny island, and our 500-square-foot feed store was my only option originally. I kept asking them, “Are you ever going to bring in baby chickens again?” and finally, they told me a shipment was on the way.

I kept calling until the day they arrived. The store said they were “vaccinated RIRs', we only bring in what works” and that they had to place a large order just to get them shipped in (which it was a lot of birds for my non-tractor supply sorta knowledge)—which makes sense as overnight shipping to a postage stamp in the middle of nowhere? yikes. I’m assuming they came from a hatchery somewhere at 1ish day old.

They were $15 each, which felt steep, but honestly, everything here is expensive, so that just felt normal at this point.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I can tell you that pullets will sometimes go through a teenage angst stage where they want nothing to do with their human “parents”. Isla (or who you think is Isla) might come back around once she gets closer to point of lay. At least, this has been my (limited) experience!

 

[CabritaChicks]

I can tell you that pullets will sometimes go through a teenage angst stage where they want nothing to do with their human “parents”. Isla (or who you think is Isla) might come back around once she gets closer to point of lay. At least, this has been my (limited) experience!

Good info, I had no idea- I hope she does. She is huge in comparison, in all her tan and chestnut glory. haha. Thank you!

 

[BurbCoop]

Haha, maybe like my other 4 chickens (which I hatched from eggs shipped in the mail versus picked up chicks)- the 'in-betweens'.

Breeder/Hatchery? Honestly—I have no idea. I live on a tiny island, and our 500-square-foot feed store was my only option originally. I kept asking them, “Are you ever going to bring in baby chickens again?” and finally, they told me a shipment was on the way.

I kept calling until the day they arrived. The store said they were “vaccinated RIRs', we only bring in what works” and that they had to place a large order just to get them shipped in (which it was a lot of birds for my non-tractor supply sorta knowledge)—which makes sense as overnight shipping to a postage stamp in the middle of nowhere? yikes. I’m assuming they came from a hatchery somewhere at 1ish day old.

They were $15 each, which felt steep, but honestly, everything here is expensive, so that just felt normal at this point.

Definitely island pricing I’d be afraid to see what the final shipping cost was on that order

Yeah, them being ordered for a small store and vaccinated leans towards them being from a hatchery.

I’m leaning hatchery quality RIR variations, but I am by no means an expert.

Great video and very happy hens. It’s always fun to see the flock getting ready for their busy day.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I’m leaning hatchery quality RIR variations, but I am by no means an expert.

Great video and very happy hens. It’s always fun to see the flock getting ready for their busy day.

Thanks!
They seem genuinely happy (or at least, they sure act like it!). They free-range over several acres of jungle food forest and trail behind me like feathery little shadows as I go about my daily routines. They get special treats every day (fresh veggies, fruits)—which they now expect with eager curiosity—and they’re in and out from dawn to dusk, always ready to explore. Hence the daily question: “Ready for the day?”

At the moment, they’re tucked behind the house in a temporary coop—basically sandwiched between projects. Their future “sexy coop” is under construction, but progress has hit the inevitable spouse math phase—a close relative of chicken math. What started as minor decisions about coop details have now escalated into full-scale debates. It’s definitely time to finish it up and get those chickens into their forever home! (We’re maybe a week out... definitely a two-person job and we both have full-time jobs)

In the meantime, they’re absolutely living their best lives. The construction crew working on our guest house can’t resist interacting with them—especially Indigo. She’s just so charming, and totally different from the usual feral chickens around here.

Now that I think about it… maybe they’ve been sneaking her little treats from their lunches? That could explain why she’s suddenly so vocal—birdie crack, perhaps? I don’t know. If I spoke French, I might just ask them! Either way, these girls are getting more social enrichment than most people’s pampered indoor pets. Spoiled doesn’t even begin to cover it.

I would be curious to see how other people let their chickens out- Because when I let my girls (and one guy I suppose) out Im still in my bath robe- didnt do my hair or put on lipstick at 5am like youtubers- HAHA.

 

[BurbCoop]

Thanks!
They seem genuinely happy (or at least, they sure act like it!). They free-range over several acres of jungle food forest and trail behind me like feathery little shadows as I go about my daily routines. They get special treats every day (fresh veggies, fruits)—which they now expect with eager curiosity—and they’re in and out from dawn to dusk, always ready to explore. Hence the daily question: “Ready for the day?”

At the moment, they’re tucked behind the house in a temporary coop—basically sandwiched between projects. Their future “sexy coop” is under construction, but progress has hit the inevitable spouse math phase—a close relative of chicken math. What started as minor decisions about coop details have now escalated into full-scale debates. It’s definitely time to finish it up and get those chickens into their forever home! (We’re maybe a week out... definitely a two-person job and we both have full-time jobs)

In the meantime, they’re absolutely living their best lives. The construction crew working on our guest house can’t resist interacting with them—especially Indigo. She’s just so charming, and totally different from the usual feral chickens around here.

Now that I think about it… maybe they’ve been sneaking her little treats from their lunches? That could explain why she’s suddenly so vocal—birdie crack, perhaps? I don’t know. If I spoke French, I might just ask them! Either way, these girls are getting more social enrichment than most people’s pampered indoor pets. Spoiled doesn’t even begin to cover it.

I would be curious to see how other people let their chickens out- Because when I let my girls (and one guy I suppose) out Im still in my bath robe- didnt do my hair or put on lipstick at 5am like youtubers- HAHA.

Not gonna lie, we’ve let our girls out in the morning and locked them back up in the evening in varying states of dress and readiness

 

[CabritaChicks]

Not gonna lie, we’ve let our girls out in the morning and locked them back up in the evening in varying states of dress and readiness

You are super funny.