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The New Hampshire Red is an American breed of chicken that was developed in the early 20th century in the state of New Hampshire by selective breeding of Rhode Island Reds. It is a dual-purpose breed, suitable for both meat and egg production. This breed is known for its rich reddish-brown plumage and friendly temperament. New Hampshires were admitted to the Standard of Perfection by the American Poultry Association in 1935 and are considered a heritage breed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Breed | New Hampshire Red |
| Type | Large Fowl & Bantam |
| Heritage Breed | Yes |
| Origin | New Hampshire and Massachusetts, United States |
| Weight | Male: 8-8.5 lbs, Female: 6.5-7 lbs |
| Colour | Chestnut Red, Reddish-Brown |
| Comb Type | Single |
| Number of Toes | 4 |
| Purpose | Dual (Meat and Egg) |
| Egg Colour | Brown |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Egg Laying | Good (200-300/year) |
| Cold Hardiness | Hardy in Winter |
| Heat Tolerance | Not Very Heat Hardy |
| Temperament | Docile, Competitive, Aggressive |
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What You'll Learn
The New Hampshire Red is an American breed
The New Hampshire Red was selectively bred from the Rhode Island Red stock, with the aim of producing a chicken with rapid growth, fast-feathering, early maturity, and vigour. This process took about 30 years, and while colour was not a criterion for selection, the resulting birds were a lighter red than the original Rhode Island stock. The breakthrough in the creation of this breed was made by Professor "Red" Richardson, who was working at an Agriculture Experimentation Station at the time.
The New Hampshire Red was developed for both meat and egg production, and it adapts well to either intensive or extensive management. It is a medium-large breed, with males weighing about 3.9 kg (8.5 lb) and hens approximately 3.0 kg (6.5-7.5 lb). The colour of the plumage is a medium to light red, often with a chestnut hue, and it may fade in sunlight. They have yellow legs, clean shanks, and four toes, with a reddish line running from shank to toes.
The New Hampshire Red was admitted to the Standard of Perfection by the American Poultry Association (APA) in 1935. In 2018, it was designated the official poultry of the state of New Hampshire. Today, it remains a popular breed among chicken enthusiasts due to its enduring legacy as a hardy and productive bird.
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Developed in the early 20th century
The New Hampshire Red chicken, also known as the New Hampshire, is an American breed of chicken developed in the early 20th century. The breed was created through the selective breeding of Rhode Island Reds for rapid growth, fast feathering, and early maturity, with an emphasis on meat production. The process took place in the New England states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, from which the breed takes its name.
In the early 1900s, poultry breeders in New Hampshire began selecting hens from Rhode Island Red strains that feathered, grew, and matured faster. This intensive selection led to the emergence of a distinct breed, which was named the New Hampshire Red. The breakthrough in the creation of this breed is attributed to Professor "Red" Richardson, who was working at an Agriculture Experimentation Station at the time. The New Hampshire Red was developed over a period of about 30 years, with contributions from both farmers in the state and research conducted at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station in Durham.
The New Hampshire Red chicken was introduced to America in the early 1900s, brought over from England where it had been developed for its exceptional egg-laying capabilities and robust constitution. American farmers were drawn to the breed's adaptability, resilience, and ability to thrive in various environments. The New Hampshire Red gained worldwide popularity in the early 20th century, prized for its impressive egg-laying abilities, rugged constitution, and meat production.
In 1935, the New Hampshire breed was admitted to the Standard of Perfection by the American Poultry Association (APA). This recognition solidified its status as a distinct breed separate from the Rhode Island Red. The New Hampshire Red has a deep, broad body and is known for its rapid feather growth and early maturity. The colour of the birds is a light to medium chestnut red, lighter than the Rhode Island Reds, and their combs are single and medium to large in size.
Today, the New Hampshire Red remains a beloved breed among chicken enthusiasts. It is known for its friendly nature, high egg production, and impressive foraging abilities, making it ideal for small-scale farming operations and backyard flocks. The breed is also used for meat production due to its fast growth rate and robust size. The New Hampshire Red is a true American Heritage breed, contributing to the development of other breeds such as the Delaware chicken and playing a significant role in the establishment of the modern broiler industry.
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A dual-purpose breed
The New Hampshire Red is a dual-purpose breed, developed in the early 20th century in the state of New Hampshire, as well as Massachusetts. It is a relatively new breed, emerging as a distinct variety of the Rhode Island Red through selective breeding. The breakthrough in the creation of this breed was made by Professor "Red" Richardson, who was working at an Agriculture Experimentation Station at the time.
New Hampshires were selectively bred for rapid growth, fast feathering, and early maturity, with an emphasis on meat production. They are medium to light red in colour, with clean shanks and four toes, which are yellow. They have yellow skin and a reddish line that runs from shank to toes. They weigh between 7-10 lbs, with males being slightly heavier than females.
As a dual-purpose breed, New Hampshire Reds are suitable for both meat and egg production. They are known to yield a meaty carcass and lay approximately 200-220 large, tinted eggs per year, with some strains producing eggs with a dark brown shell colour. They adapt well to either intensive or extensive management and are good mothers to their young chicks, making them a good choice for those wanting a sustainable, heritage flock.
New Hampshire Reds have a friendly temperament and are known for their impressive foraging abilities. They do well in both cold and warm climates if housed appropriately and are suitable for small-scale farming, backyard flocks, or commercial production. They have a robust build and impressive size, making them excellent meat chickens with a fair egg-laying ability.
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Recognised characteristics
The New Hampshire Red is a dual-purpose breed, suitable for both meat and egg production. It is a relatively new breed, admitted to the Standard in 1935. It was developed in the early 20th century in the state of New Hampshire, as well as in Massachusetts, by selective breeding of Rhode Island Reds. No other breed was involved in its development.
New Hampshires have a deep, broad body and are medium to large in size. Males weigh about 8.5 lbs, while females weigh approximately 6.5 lbs. They have yellow skin, clean shanks, and four toes which are also yellow, with a reddish line running from shank to toes. Their feathers are a medium to light reddish-brown, with some pale yellow highlights, though their colour may fade in sunlight. They have a single comb which is medium to large in size, and which, in females, often flops over a bit.
New Hampshires are known for their rapid growth and early maturity. They are also good layers, producing 200-300 large brown eggs per year. They are hardy birds, able to adapt to both cold and warm climates if housed appropriately, and they are suitable for both intensive and extensive management. They are also good mothers to their young chicks.
The temperament of New Hampshires can vary from gentle and docile to unfriendly and aggressive. They are sometimes food-competitive with other breeds and should be kept away from children during the breeding season.
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Popularity and use
The New Hampshire Red chicken is a popular breed with a variety of uses. It is a relatively new breed, having been admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1935. The breed was developed in the early 20th century in the state of New Hampshire, with contributions from Massachusetts, and is a separate strain of the Rhode Island Red. The New Hampshire Red was created through selective breeding for rapid growth, fast feathering, early maturity, and vigour, with an emphasis on meat production.
Today, the New Hampshire Red is prized for both its meat and egg production capabilities. As a dual-purpose breed, it is well-suited for small-scale farming, backyard flocks, and commercial production. Hens can lay approximately 200-220 large, tinted to dark brown eggs per year, with an average weight of about 55 grams. The eggs are known for their rich, reddish-brown colour and high quality. New Hampshire Reds are also valued for their meat, yielding a meaty carcass with a nice, plump appearance.
The breed is known for its hardiness and adaptability, thriving in both cold and warm climates when housed appropriately. They are good foragers and can adapt well to either intensive or extensive management. New Hampshire Reds have a friendly nature and are generally considered good mothers, making them a popular choice for those seeking a sustainable, heritage flock.
In terms of popularity, New Hampshire Reds have gained worldwide recognition and are beloved by chicken enthusiasts. They were introduced to America in the early 1900s, and their versatility and resilience quickly drew the attention of farmers. The breed played a pivotal role in establishing the modern broiler industry and contributed to the development of other breeds, such as the Delaware chicken. Today, New Hampshire Reds remain a popular choice for farmers and backyard enthusiasts alike, known for their impressive list of attributes and productivity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the New Hampshire Red is an American Heritage chicken breed.
The New Hampshire Red chicken was developed in the early 20th century in the state of New Hampshire, in the US, by selective breeding of Rhode Island Reds.
The New Hampshire Red chicken is a medium chestnut red colour, lighter than the Rhode Island Red.
The male New Hampshire Red chicken weighs about 8.5 lbs, while the female weighs about 6.5 lbs.
The temperament of the New Hampshire Red chicken can vary from gentle and docile to unfriendly and aggressive. They are also known to be food-competitive with other breeds.
