BREED GUIDE
New Hampshire Red chicken: feed cost and care guide
What a New Hampshire Red actually costs to feed, how many eggs to expect, and whether it fits your flock.
The New Hampshire Red is a standard breed known for being developed from Rhode Island Reds specifically for faster maturity and better meat yield. It's assertive, can rank high in flock pecking order.
Its assertive streak means it usually does fine introduced to a mixed flock, though it may not be the most laid-back bird in the coop. As a standard-size bird, expect daily feed intake around 0.25 lb per bird before waste, free-ranging, or seasonal adjustments, noticeably in line with most standard laying breeds.
New Hampshire Red quick facts
| Size class | Standard |
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| Egg color | Brown |
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| Eggs per week | 4-5 |
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| Est. monthly feed cost (flock of 6) | $21.19 |
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| Cold hardy | Yes |
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| Foraging ability | Good |
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| Typical purpose | Dual-purpose, bred for faster growth than Rhode Island Reds |
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Feed cost for a New Hampshire Red flock
At $22 for a 50 lb bag of feed, a flock of six New Hampshire Red birds runs about $21.19 a month before any free-ranging or seasonal adjustment, based on its standard size class. Free-ranging typically cuts that by around 15%, and winter months typically add about 10%. Use the feed cost calculator to plug in your exact flock size and feed price and see the real number, including how many bags you'll need and how long each one lasts.
Egg production
A healthy New Hampshire Red lays roughly 4-5 brown eggs a week under good conditions, with output dropping during molt and the shortest days of winter. Over a full year that works out to a meaningful number of eggs per bird, worth weighing against its feed cost when deciding if this breed fits your goals. Curious about the dollar value of that output? The egg production calculator turns your flock's laying rate into a monthly total and a rough dollar value at your local egg price.
Care tip specific to this breed
Its assertive streak means it's usually fine holding its own in a mixed flock, but it's not always the best match paired with very docile breeds like Orpingtons or Cochins.
Is the New Hampshire Red right for your flock?
The New Hampshire Red fits best where dual-purpose, bred for faster growth than rhode island reds is the goal. As a good-rated forager, it makes real use of free-range space if you can offer it, which also trims its feed cost. On climate, its cold hardiness means standard winter shelter is usually enough, even in a genuinely cold climate.
Frequently asked questions
How many eggs does a New Hampshire Red lay per week?
A New Hampshire Red typically lays about 4-5 brown eggs a week under normal conditions, fewer during molting or the shortest winter days.
Is the New Hampshire Red a good breed for beginners?
Its temperament is assertive, can rank high in flock pecking order, which makes it a solid choice for a first flock.
Is the New Hampshire Red cold hardy?
Yes. Standard winter shelter is usually enough.
How much does it cost to feed a New Hampshire Red?
As a standard-size bird, a New Hampshire Red eats about 0.25 lb of feed a day before adjustments. A flock of six costs roughly $21.19 a month at $22 per 50 lb bag; use our feed cost calculator to adjust for your own flock size, feed price, free-ranging, and season.