New Hampshire Red thread!!!!!!!!!

[ellandeeranch]

My NH's are my favorites, and the ones that are the most numerous around the place. Good layers, good eating, good neighbors.

I hatched 11 out of 16 set over the weekend, so they should be on the dinner table right around June 1st.

14 weeks is a good time for processing the roos and any extra hens.

Our rooster (Bosley) is beautiful, and certainly runs his flock of girls well. He was born last July. Every few times I go into the run, I pick him up and hold him while doing chores. So far, he hasn't come after me; actually, he seems to stay out of my way, since he doesn't care for the picking up so much!

I don't fight with him, just hold him under an arm and talk like I do to the rest of the birds.

He keeps all the eggs in that run fertile, and I'm hoping one of his sons (7 weeks old now) will be the daddy in the other run.

We have EE's, one RI, some cuckoo Maran, and a half dozen Trader Joe's Fertile Eggs Leghorns (picture a chicken with a methamphetamine addiction).

Richard in Neenach, California (hoping for snow tomorrow)

 

[chickenfam6]

This is Roger. he is the master of the yard. He's a good friend to all his girls. Super dooper predator eyes that knows an eagle or a hawk coming 30-60 seconds before they're over head. He amazes us everyday. We couldn't free Range with out him. He'll be one year April 13th.

are all NH as smart as yours is?

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Hard to know-- I think all those chicken brains can vary. Sometimes he'll bite the hand that feeds him, too, so to speak, and it really makes me question his intelligence then. But I appreciate what he does for us and I let the little things pass.

 

[Arvanah]

So, what's the differences between NHR & RIRs? I haven't really seen any NHRs around. At least that I know of

 

[Bogtown Chick]

RIR's are a deeper darker color than a New Hampshire.


These are RIR's

New Hampshire's more rust colored.

 

[Neddie]

Roger is a very handsome guy! My two NHRs are in that awkward teenage stage - 2/3 feathers, 1/3 fuzz. I can't wait until they get all their big girl feathers.

 

[sagicraw]

just got NH Reds at TSC week old. Hoping at least one is a rooster. What can you tell me about the breed? temperment, broodiness, eggs, meat? Whatever you know would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I have a Hen and a Roo. From early on the Roo showed leadership and was less agressive to the hens than other roos I had in my batch. He was friendly to me and my kids and still is yet protective of the girls. He's a great lookout for predators (aerial and on the ground) Very showy rust colored feathers green shimmery tail. The hen is very friendly and curious. She is handled less than the roo but she'll tolerate it. She lays well and gave us our first egg ever. As a young pullet she laid a double yolker once a week and the next day a rubber egg...lol. She took an egg break through the winter months and in February picked up again. No egg anomolies though now. All is normal and well. I've heard that they are great layers compared to others. She has not showed any tendency to be broody yet. She does not peck me when I stick my hand under her to check for eggs. I don't know how they are for meat. They are charming birds and look gorgeous in the yard. They were not a standout breed to me at first to get at the TSC but I'm sure glad I got them now. They are the probably the dearest ones of the flock. I have to say. You'll really like them.

 

[sagicraw]

Thanks Bogtown, looking forward to them.

 

[Weezy58]

Just have to share this with other NHR fans. One evening last week my daughter flopped down on our deck railing after finishing her chores. Rusty, one of our New Hampshire Reds, flew right up and joined her

We have found this breed to be extremely friendly and fun to have around. Plus their eggs are huge!