New Hampshire

[speedy2020]

I am consider raising New Hampshire for stock pot.
Here are my questions:
1) Is this breed grow faster than other dual purpose chickens?
2) At what age they are good to eat?
3) Does it has better flavor than RIR or Corn X?

 

[TimG]

Quote:
I think you will find that you have trouble finding non-hatchery New Hampshire stock and that the hatchery stock is not as big as you would expect from their history as a meat bird. Growth rate and size can vary greatly from line to line within a breed. Hatcheries and breeders alike have focused more on color conformity and egg production than on meat qualities. This is true for many so-called dual purpose breeds.

So, the answers to your questions are likely:

1) No, but individual results will vary.
2) Same as other dual purpose breeds, probably 5-6 months to get them to size.
3) This is largely personal preference, but the flavor and texture will be "better" than a Cornish X; should be similar to a RIR and other dual purpose breeds.

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
Back in the day they were a favorite due to their early maturity and disease resistance ; and were the first breed crossed to Cornish in the search for a better commercial meat bird , winning a national contest . I don't believe you will be able to find NHRs that are like the original breed . I'm thinking it would be probably be 5 or 6 months to slaughter . As far as taste , no experience , but probably not different than RIR though smaller if you get your RIR from a good source . http://www.centralhatchery.com/chicks.html claims to breed and sell the orignal type of RIR and has a sex linked cross off the RIR with red hens/white roos that might fill your needs .