BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[dfr1973]

I wish that she was closer. You are fortunate to have her in your "neighborhood".

Meanwhile, my husband is a bit relieved we don't live any closer than we already do. When I told him Luanne wrote she wished I live closer in one of her emails, the deer-in-the-headlights look on his face was quite amusing.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: This pic was just a spur of the moment thing as I saw them sizing each other up they are both kind of bent down to some degree. I am sure you will enjoy them.

 

[bnjrob]

Your timing in mentioning this is perfect and much appreciated. I haven't been set up to easily separate males and females thus far but am finally far enough along in my construction projects to start separating everyone. I was wondering about the benefits of doing so, other than giving the girls a bit of relief from those randy boys.

We saw improvement in size with the first group we separated by gender. Couldn't be more pleased. It's a pain in the butt to have so many separate pens for males/females, but it's been worth it for us.

 

[Ifish]

We saw improvement in size with the first group we separated by gender. Couldn't be more pleased. It's a pain in the butt to have so many separate pens for males/females, but it's been worth it for us.

Was it do to all the birds not getting to the feeder? Or do you think that there's a genetic trait, or behavior/hormone, that kicks in when the sexes are separated?

 

[bnjrob]

Was it do to all the birds not getting to the feeder? Or do you think that there's a genetic trait, or behavior/hormone, that kicks in when the sexes are separated?

Neither. They run off all the food they eat when there are horny cockerels chasing pullets and each other all over the place - the pullets are running from the cockerels, and the alpha cockerels are chasing not only pullets, but chasing other cockerels to keep the subordinate cockerels away from the pullets. Once they are separated, there is no longer a reason for all the chasing to occur, so more of what they eat goes to build their body up, rather than simply to fuel their constant flight from all the chasing.

 

[Ifish]

Neither. They run off all the food they eat when there are horny cockerels chasing pullets and each other all over the place - the pullets are running from the cockerels, and the alpha cockerels are chasing not only pullets, but chasing other cockerels to keep the subordinate cockerels away from the pullets. Once they are separated, there is no longer a reason for all the chasing to occur, so more of what they eat goes to build their body up, rather than simply to fuel their constant flight from all the chasing.

Ok I understand.

When separated, do they need to just be fenced off, or do you need to break the visual contact as well?

 

[JRNash]

Ifish,that's an interesting question!

 

[bnjrob]

Ok I understand.

When separated, do they need to just be fenced off, or do you need to break the visual contact as well?

It's better if you can break visual contact too, for the cockerels. The pullets do fine once the cockerels aren't chasing them anymore, but when the cockerels can still see the pullets, they will run up and down the fence line trying to get to the females, and will fight more with each other than if you completely segregate them. We tend to keep our bachelors all near each other and any pens with females are kept fairly far away from the bachelor quarters.

 

[draye]

I have never owned any of the J. Giants but I have seen them.  Most were beautiful birds and while admittedly they were hatchery stock, they had too much bone for my uses, standing as a pure breed but I can imagine that crossed with a Dark Cornish (my preference), they could produce some AWESOME meat birds!!!  They had been given serious consideration as part of the capon program.

Here's a bird from Cackle's website..this is a beautiful beast.

http://www.cacklehatchery.com/wgiant.html

I have a Blue Jersey Husnt, heritage breed so I was told. He came from Induana ( I think) Maria's Giants.

I have him with some of my Naked Neck hens. I feel that the NN's especially the hens need a boost in the weight department.

I haven't butchered any Giants though so I can't say how big boned they are. All I know is that they were bred to replace the Thanksgiving family turkey.

This guy is big. Haven't weighed him but a good guess us about 15-16 pounds.

 

[hellbender]

I have a Blue Jersey Husnt, heritage breed so I was told. He came from Induana ( I think) Maria's Giants.

I have him with some of my Naked Neck hens. I feel that the NN's especially the hens need a boost in the weight department.

I haven't butchered any Giants though so I can't say how big boned they are. All I know is that they were bred to replace the Thanksgiving family turkey.

This guy is big. Haven't weighed him but a good guess us about 15-16 pounds.

That should make some plenty big NNs !!!!!!!!!!!!