RIR vs. NHR

[cravenchx]

Is there a big difference between these two breeds?
Does one lay better than the other.
We just returned from the Dixie Classic Fair,
and we thought we had RIR's, but after seeing the
NHR's, me thinks this is what we have.

 

[hdowden]

can you post a pic for us?

 

[chickenhawk73]

The rir`s tend to be more aggressive.As far as egg production it would be about the same.

 

[Illia]

New Hampshire. NH. No "red" in the name.

The thing is, there is a difference, however with production bred/hatchery quality RIR's they've fallen back to look the same as New Hampshires, well, the same as poor quality New Hampshires. It's the same with almost any breed of poor quality, honestly. Take for example - Buff Rocks vs Buff Orpingtons, or Black Australorps vs Black Jersey Giants. Barred Rocks vs Dominiques. Little difference in hatchery quality, big difference in show quality.



But here's a visual of New Hampshire vs Rhode Island Red -

New Hampshire (orange, well fanned black tail, large build, slightly light colored neck)

Rhode Island Red (deep red, almost blackened in color, large build, little to no black showing, very low set tail)

You do have Rhode Island Reds, they're just poor quality like most of them out there.

But still great laying hens!



ETA - hatchery RIR's do tend to be aggressive because of careless breeding, heritage/show quality RIR's are rarely to never aggressive.

 

[cravenchx]

Quote:
Mine are 18 weeks old. Still a very light reddish/brown with black in the tail feathers.
Poor quality? In what ways? Are you dissing my chickens?

And maybe I can figure out how to get the pictures from the camera to the computer!

 

[Illia]

I'm saying they wouldn't win a show. That isn't dissing your chicken. Most of the RIR's out there wouldn't because hatcheries bred them solely for egg laying.

 

[Whittni]

That sounds/looks kinda mean Illia...I would reword that and leave a complement to go with it. I know I happen to have 3 show quality RIRs and a NH that is too young to know about...some birds can be quality, even from hatcheries...I mean I show chickens for 4H and I have a good idea of what they should look like, even production reds have a standard.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Quote:

I'm talking about APA shows, to the APA standard for the breed, not 4-H.


I didn't mean to offend, just to educate. The OP asked the difference and why their bird looked different than the show ones, I explained the facts.


I have a hatchery New Hampshire, Brahma, and several hatchery Polish and still love them equally.

 

[cravenchx]

No offense taken. I was tongue in cheek when I asked if you were
dissing. I love my girls either way. I appreciate the info. That's why
I asked!