German bloodlines of New Hampshire Chickens

[janchilds]

I posted to the breed Yahoo group but haven't gotten much feedback and you guys are always so great at answering questions.

What is the difference between the American (or other) bloodlines and the German bloodlines in the New Hampshire breed? Are they bigger/smaller, broader/leaner... what? I see them being advertised specifically when they are German, so I am guessing there is something a bit different.

Thanks,

 

[draye]

Quote:
Try here;


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=581950&p=1

 

[EweSheep]

In the German poultry of Welsummers and Faverolles (the breeds I know) are a bit darker in plumage and they can either go bigger or smaller than the American version.

Honestly what I see in the German NH, they look a bit refined and not as "bright" as the chestnut red like the American version. Are the Germans better than the American version? Not really but for an American breed, I would definately go "American" because the NH Reds originated in America. I am guessing sometime later down the line, the Germans exported our NH to their homeland.

Either way, you really don't have much to lose! Try both and see which one fits your bill.

 

[kathyinmo]

The German birds are darker than the American birds. The German birds that I have are much better "type" than any American ones I have seen (admittedly, I have not seen alot of them). Personally, I prefer the German birds.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
After the war with Germany, as part of the reconstruction effort, the USA sent New Hampshires and AMRocks, etc, to Germany. Ya see, during the war, the soldiers (Americans and Germans) and Germans literally ate most all of the poultry in Germany, just to survive. In the USA, the New Hampshires fell to a critically low level of specimens. Americans sorta let go of the dual purpose breeds, in favor of the quick growing Cornish Cross.

The Germans loved the New Hampshires, and still do today, as I understand it. They continue to breed them. It has been said that the Germans have the best New Hampshires there are. An American got some of the German New Hampshires a while back. Apparently, if I understand it correctly, the German New Hampshires are a bit darker than our standard calls for, and the black tips on the hackles of the females is not prominent enough. Crossing with American bred birds has shown worth while.

 

[gjensen]

Quote:
They are the correct weight and size. Genetically they are a little different in color. They are not perfect, but they are the best I have been able to get my hands on. There are some things that I would like to see improved in my birds, but I am very happy with them. I hope they have stirred some interest in the breed as they have the strain. Good New Hampshires are rare enough to make this strain significant.

 

[edgarmongold]

Have to disagree with most of the above comments.
The type of the “German New Hampshire” is more rangy and too large.
The New Hampshire is to be more of a compact build so it can be traditional broiler weight at 16 to 20 weeks old.
The females should have quick maturity to begin laying at 4.5 to 5 months old and average around 200 eggs annually.
That German bloodline is easier to acquire and some judges place them because they are big flashy.
It all depends on what you want to do with your birds.
Backyard running around go with personal taste using as dual purpose for meat and eggs as they were developed for you are going to want a more compact early weight gain and egg production.
I am going to attach pictures of the male and female submitted to American Poultry Association for the 2023 Standard of Perfection.
Also I attached a picture of a Good Shepherd Ranch Frank Reese Junior 6 month old cockerel and female from old Halbach Poultry Farm strain bred and chicks sold by Jim Adkins of Sustainable Poultry Network.
Both are New Hampshire and should meet written standard description published by APA.
For casual use it depends on what purpose they serve for you.
Here in the USA German or American are more marketing names of bloodlines than 2 separate breeds.
Dressed carcass are Frank Reese Junior Good Shepherd Ranch 16 to 20 weeks old