Gail, Were you ever able to find that strain of New Hampshire Reds you were looking for? Where did you find them?

No, I never was able to find any real old-time New Hampshires. An American Poultry Association judge asked if I knew where HE could get some, so that kind of told me right there it was a lost cause.

This year we tried Buff Orpingtons (after the glowing reports posted here in an earlier thread) but don't care much for them, so we've ordered some New Hamps from a hatchery, but expect them to be production reds (which is what most "New Hampshires" are these days). Oh, well, as Buggy pointed out elsewhere: Time marches on; things change; we might as well get used to it. Gail

Gail, What about the Buffs don't you care for? I'd been thinking about that breed, and ended up just getting some grade layers, which for the moment I am happy with. But I'd like to get a particular breed down the road, just a small number. Just curious about your thoughts on the Buffs. Thank you! Jennifer

Gail have you tried McMurray? I have had good luck with their Rhode Island Reds. They do list New Hamps. I am not sure if they are the same as the production ones you are getting though?
Please let me know if these are what you want I have a dozen other smaller hatcheries I can forward to you too.

Have you tried a hatchery here in MN called Strombergs? I believe they have a website. And if they don't have the breed or type poultry, no one does.

Gail-I found New Hampshire Reds for you guys. Can order from McMurrayHatchery.com
You can go to the above website and pick New Hampshire Reds from their breed list.

What don't you like about the Orpingtons? We were thinking of trying some, like to know your thoughts.

Thanks

Looking to have a small first flock next year. How have the New Hampshire Reds changed over the years? Would like quiet, non-aggressive dual purpose, "people" flock. Am I looking for the impossible? Have an old two-horse trailer I hope to turn into a roving chicken house for my bug-control patrol. Readings so far have been very short on behavior and disposition. Any suggestions and advice are appreciated.

Jen & Lane, The two things I like least about the buff Orpingtons is their loose feathers (when you pick eggs from under a hen, half her feathers come with the eggs; and I don't know how they'll do in our Tennessee heat, as this will be their first summer with us) and their fierceness on the nest (I don't mind being pecked when I collect eggs, but I do mind when they peck so hard they draw blood).

charlie from mass: The New Hamps we ordered are coming from Murray McMurray. At one time I checked with ALL the hatcheries that list New Hamps and those that bothered to answer all said they had production reds. FYI: A lot of hatcheries get their chicks from the same few flocks.

jwaller: Strombergs is not a hatchery. They are dealers/brokers.

Sandy R. - Virginia, New Hampshires were exactly as you describe. All poultry breeds have changed dramatically over the past 35 years. I'm not saying they are better or worse. They are just not the same. You might try barred Plymouth Rocks. We had them after we had New Hamps, and found them quite comparable, although I can't say what they've devolved into today. Your idea of turning a horse trailer into a roving chicken coop is terrific. Allan and I got the same idea a year or so ago, but unfortunately don't have a spare trailer to remodel.

To no one in particular, but to everyone: The proper breed names are Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire (not New Hampshire Red). I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking New Hampshire Red is a designation for production red.

In the 1970s I had a flock of New Hamps that I believe (based on my research of the breed) was the Newcomer line. When I moved eastward I left my flock, thinking I could easily replace them. How wrong I was. I have spent many years looking for suitable replacements. I have contacted many hatcheries. I contacted every hatchery listed by the ALBC. I was recently sent some new leads I haven't tracked down yet, but I don't have my hopes up. I've pretty much given up on the possibility of getting any old-time New Hamps. I just want, like Sandy, a quiet, non-aggressive dual purpose "people" flock.

I must say I am still Rhode Island Red fan. My dad liked them for layers and my grandfather even raised them in Scotland after the war as layers. The ones I have had never seemed to miss a beat. We had eggs in the winter and the heat of summer. I once settled for Sex links as the Agway quit carrying the RIRs but they were nowhere near as hardy.
Of course the RIR roosters were people friendly about half the time. But a soup pot fixes the ones with a bad attitude quite well.

Thank you Gail for the answer, and I think I agree with you about any old type New Hampshire hens being around. Things change and I am thinking they got bred out with the Reds. Glad to know how aggressive the Buffs are. I have a friend who has a couple, and I forgot that she has mentioned how protective they are. I've had friends with lots of good luck with Barred Rocks, pretty quiet and hardy, good layers. Thank you again!

Gail, do you think that the fierceness on the nest would translate to fierceness against a predator? We range our chickens and the ability to avoid predation is high on our list. Not that a hen could fight off a coyote, but it might be able to disuade the neighbor's small dog if it fought hard enough.

Thanks

Lane, I believe survival is the cause of the fierceness. Plus these hens act broody, although we haven't let any of them set yet, so we have no idea how well they'd hatch eggs. In my experience the roosters are the protectors, but it certainly would deter a small critter to be pecked the way these hens peck--they grab a chuck of flesh and hang on! Gail

Sign of spring-I ordered my spring flock of broilers and the replacement Leghorns today. Will get 4/17/06. Booked the processing for 6/22/06.

Jwaller, do you have problems keeping your broilers alive? We found out last year that the hatchery won't recommend the Cornish cross for over 4500 feet elevation. KM

I have some Maran pullets that just started laying in Jan. this year. They are similar in color to barred Rocks, but the hens are darker. Very gentle. When I let them out of the coop in the evening they stay close and go right back in. The eggs are chocolate brown shells. So far they are suiting me just fine.Although I got mine from a breeder in VA. www.esteshatchery.com offers them also. Ph. 1-800-345-1420. Also check sandhillpreservation.com. 563-246-2299. The rooster is very handsome and has shown no aggressiveness toward me. I only have 7 hens and today gatherered 7 eggs. Mark wv.

Thanks, Mark. Sand Hill Preservation is the place (I couldn't think of the name of) that I've recently been told has real New Hamps. I know the fellow who owns the place, and believe that if any real New Hamps are still around he'd have them. I see he lists New Hampshires (not New Hampshire Reds) on his site. Thanks for the nudge, Gail

Hi Gail, you might try the national breed club for the New Hampshires,

The New Hampshire Breeders Club of America
Edgar K Mongold
918 Stuckey Rd.
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-333-5080
e-mail: edgar@mongold1.com

as listed on www.feathersite.com. If you are looking for the true old New Hampshire, they probably reside only in a fancier's flock somewhere. Not sure what Glen Drowns has at Sandhill, but he is active in the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities and if he doesn't have them, he would be able to tell you who to go to. As the Production Hamps are not listed in the APA standard, I have a feeling that the Breeders Club should have birds that you are looking for. For your readers, other information on poultry breeds and pictures of them can be found at www.feathersite.com. Poultry for sale, including hatching eggs, chicks, and adults can be found at www.eggbid.com. Good Luck!

Deborah, I can't add anything, but to tell you to check with McMurray Hatchery. I have ordered from them several times and was always very pleased with the chicks.

Well, our 50 New Hamphire chicks arrived, and not two are the same color. During the years when I hatched chicks from my original flock they were peas in a pod. It's going to be interesting to see what they will look like after they feather out--whether or not any of them actually look like New Hamps. Gail

For all who is looking for New Hampshire Reds,
Ideal poultry Hatchery has those. I am new to this site, glad I found it. I ordered 4 different breeds, small amount of each, everything went perfect.
will be looking forward to discussing my problems with you.

If I do good raising chicks and hens I wouldn't mind meeting this person in the club.