Chickens

THE LAYING FLOCK:
NH Reds: ALBC Status: “Watch”  
Ark of Taste

NH Red Rooster

Use: A dual purpose chicken, “officially” 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. However, we find that they are hardy, productive egg layers, consistantly producing large brown eggs.

Origin: New Hampshires are a relatively new breed, having been admitted to the Standard in 1935. They represent a specialized selection out of the Rhode Island Red breed. By intensive selection for rapid growth, fast feathering, early maturity and vigor, a different breed gradually emerged. This took place in the New England states-chiefly in Massachusetts and New Hampshire from which it takes its name.

Characteristics: They possess a deep, broad body, grow feathers very rapidly, are prone to go broody and make good mothers. Most pin feathers are a reddish buff in color and, therefore, do not detract from the carcass appearance very much. The color is a medium to light red and often fades in the sunshine. The comb is single and medium to large in size; in the females it often lops over a bit. These good, medium sized meat chickens have fair egg laying ability. Some strains lay eggs of a dark brown shell color. New Hampshires are competitive and aggressive.

THE MEAT FLOCK:
Freedom Rangers

Use:  Freedom Rangers are a “slow” growing broiler, highly suited for pasture and free range systems.

Origin: The genetic stock is derived from the American and European old heritage breed of chicken and was developed in the early 1960’s to meet the highest standards of the French Label Rouge Free Range program. Currently, the Freedom Ranger genetic stock is used by most non-factory farm production models (alternative) all across Europe and also by small pastured poultry producers in search of a traditionally raised farm chicken.

Characteristics: Freedom Ranger Broilers are a slower growing breed than industrial broilers. They are better suited to the higher welfare and all true natural rearing systems (full pasturing, free range, organic, certified, backyard etc).  Natural instinct and behavior is preserved in the breed, and the love foraging in pastures, free ranging outside, looking for natural sunlight and fresh air, as well as ground scratching and dust bathing is prevalant.  They mature sligtly faster than some heritage breeds, but maintain excellent health, flavor and texture.