New Hampshire
Dual purposeUnited StatesBeginner friendly
New Hampshire farmers took the Rhode Island Red and selected hard for early maturity and fast feathering, producing a lighter, chestnut-red bird that gets down to business young. Expect a bold, sociable hen who is always first to the treat bucket.
Eggs per year
200–240
Egg color
Brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6–7 lbs
Temperament
Friendly and food-motivated
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
In 2018 New Hampshire made the breed its official state poultry, cementing a century-old point of pride against neighboring Rhode Island.
New Hampshire egg production
Expect roughly 200–240 brown eggs a year from a New Hampshire in her prime — about 4–5 a week, or 17–20 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The New Hampshire is generally described as friendly and food-motivated. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the New Hampshire rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A New Hampshirehen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A New Hampshire hen is a large bird at 6–7 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the New Hampshire right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
New Hampshire FAQ
- How many eggs do New Hampshire chickens lay?
- A healthy New Hampshire hen lays about 200–240 brown eggs a year — roughly 4–5 a week, or 17–20 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do New Hampshires lay?
- New Hampshires lay brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do New Hampshire chickens get?
- A New Hampshire hen weighs roughly 6–7 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are New Hampshires cold-hardy?
- Yes. The New Hampshire is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are New Hampshires good for beginners?
- Yes. The New Hampshire is a forgiving, friendly and food-motivated breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do New Hampshire hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A New Hampshire hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
The New Hampshire shows up in
Compare the New Hampshire head-to-head
More breeds to explore
Keeping New Hampshires?
Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal — track their eggs, weight, and life events, and see who's really your best layer.
