Okay. Are NHRs a egg or meat chicken?

[chicken_angler]

I just got Storeys guide to raising chickens and it says they are a meat chickens. I bought 6 NHRs in April thinking they were egg layers. Now I am doubting it. They are a little bit big boned and arent showing signs of laying yet. They are like 20 weeks old tomorrow. Any thoughts on this? Thanks everyone!

 

[keljonma]

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/newhampshirered/

Use: A dual purpose chicken, selected more for meat production than egg production. Medium heavy in weight, it dresses a nice, plump carcass as either a broiler or a roaster

 

[Ladysonja]

I purchased mine to lay eggs, but I have heard they can be both.

 

[chicken_angler]

Will they still lay like 1 egg a day? I didnt want meat chickens but now that is turning out to be what they are.

 

[keljonma]

Hens lay eggs... they don't know they are meat birds.

 

[speckledhen]

I believe that there are different strains of NHs that are bred for one or the other. My two NH pullets are certainly not meat bird types-they are, in fact, very lean birds.

 

[turtle1173]

My NHR was the first to lay of our flock (16 weeks) and has laid an egg every day since. You can't beat that!

Shane

 

[al6517]

I have 20 NHR's and bought them for meat birds, but they do lay a nice big egg every day, and they are big birds nice for the grill. so yes they can be great for both.