New to NHR and NHR over Delaware cross

[Nyn loves Chickens]

First off, never again will I get chicks all the same color! This years batch is all RED!

I wanted to add chicks to my flock This year and my friend got these for me at the beginning of the pandemic

They will be 7 weeks old Sunday and the sweetest things!

According to my friend 2 are pure New Hampshire Reds and 2 are NHR roo over a Delaware (I hope that’s correct term). I guess her neighbor went chick crazy and wanted to do the Indian River. I really didn’t want a meat bird, but would they be considered more a dual purpose? I can’t seem to pull up much about either bird other than basic description..

I currently have 3 medium EE’s who eat layer feed and free range. their treats are blueberries, brocoli and meal worms all when available.. so the question is since these are bigger birds will I need to limit their food or give them different food for the whole flock..

now, the big question...at 7 weeks do I have any Roos? 1 & 2 are NHR 3 & 4 the cross

Thanks

 

[Egghead_Jr]

New Hampshire and Delaware are not meat birds. They are dual purpose. Depending on the strain/line these came from they may be good for broilers. If hatchery stock then they will still taste like chicken but be scrawny.

They should all be single comb birds so will be extremely easy to sex. Pushing 10 weeks of age the cockerel combs will turn pink and red. Pullets combs will not even be pinkish until point of lay. Any hint of red is a cockerel.

12 to 14 weeks is a good time to cull the cockerels for grilling. This is broiler age and will be tender enough for high heat cooking.

Dual purpose birds were used in meat industry into the 1950's. Delaware were developed from the white sports obtained from Plymouth Rock over New Hampshire broilers.

 

[Nyn loves Chickens]

Thanks for the info