Niederrheiner Thread! All Colors!

[cutipatooti]

Hi! I was wondering what size eggs you get from your niederrhiener girls? About how often do they lay and has anyone processed any of their Roos.

 

[BW56]

The eggs I bought to hatch were definitely on the extra large size.

 

[cutipatooti]

The eggs I bought to hatch were definitely on the extra large size. 

Thank you

 

[UberchicRanch]

@cutipatooti ,

Just like with everything, size / weight varies. Our eggs are ranging from Extra Large to Jumbo. No gals over 2 years old. We've rendered our cockerels at 3 mo old and they were 5lbs. on average. If that's the case, they would have been around 10 lbs on average, full grown. We're working on making bigger Niederrheiners and Bielefelders so they are averaging 12 lbs for roosters. Still collecting data and making adjustments.

All stats aside, ours are grass-fed and mmm mmm mmmmm they were delicious! So much flavor. Only added salt / pepper and butter for the roasts. Kept it simple for the taste test. I usually crave meat every day and after that roast, I didn't crave meat for 5 days! I was a skeptic too so this was a pleasing result.

 

[cutipatooti]

Thanks

 

[ESofVA]

I have just discovered Neidehrrheiner chickens by seeing eggs for sale on Ebay. I hate buying eggs because so many of them arrive with detached membranes and my not so cheap eggs don't hatch. Is there anyone that sells chicks in small quantities? I live on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and have Delawares, Salmon Faverolles, Silkies, d'Uccles and Modern Game bantams. Would so much like to add these.
If I can't find chicks, I may have to try eggs but fear the loss I will take in non-viable ones.

 

[UberchicRanch]

Hi @ESofVA - due to BackyardChickens.com regulations, I've sent you a PM regarding your questions. Thank you!

 

[TRoz]

@cutipatooti
,

Just like with everything, size / weight varies.  Our eggs are ranging from Extra Large to Jumbo.  No gals over 2 years old.  We've rendered our cockerels at 3 mo old and they were 5lbs. on average.  If that's the case, they would have been around 10 lbs on average, full grown.  We're working on making bigger Niederrheiners and Bielefelders so they are averaging 12 lbs for roosters.  Still collecting data and making adjustments.

All stats aside, ours are grass-fed and mmm mmm mmmmm they were delicious!  So much flavor.  Only added salt / pepper and butter for the roasts.  Kept it simple for the taste test.  I usually crave meat every day and after that roast, I didn't crave meat for 5 days!  I was a skeptic too so this was a pleasing result.

 

[TRoz]

Any carcass pics? Also, wondering about rate of lay and broodiness.

 

[UberchicRanch]

Hi @TRoz ,

We are currently working on that project (taking pics), weight included. We're not commercially selling meat to market at the moment so we grow a few batches for our own human consumption throughout the year. (And wow aren't they delicious!) As far as broodiness, broodiness was selectively bred out of this breed so that you can increase egg productivity. With that being said, our hens usually get broody when the day's sunlight is near its longest. This is not scientific, but I'd say about 25-30% of hens may go broody during this time. We're still collecting data on average rate of lay as well as average weight. Additionally, we've noticed that some flocks from other farms are creating smaller birds so we're continually working on perfecting our breeds.