California - Northern

[NeseO]

It is a Cooper's, the Sharp Shins gave up on a quail dinner a couple of years ago. This is a new arrival this year, she's (?) only 16 inches tall but she walked around the pen 3 times before moving on. The next day she was on the other side of the house checking out the pigeons. I can't let the OEGB'S free range now.

Thank you both for the info. I had a visit from one too. I thought he or she was pretty small.

 

[enigma9o7]

Thanks for replies. The only reason we really thought of changing was cuz I was worried the coop was too small if the birds were giant. I dont even know what normal size is. The coop has two 1'x1' roosting boxes and a 2'x2' area with two roosting bars and there's a 2'x6' run. I think we'll just keep these three and see how they do in there.

 

[caychris]

Thanks for replies. The only reason we really thought of changing was cuz I was worried the coop was too small if the birds were giant. I dont even know what normal size is. The coop has two 1'x1' roosting boxes and a 2'x2' area with two roosting bars and there's a 2'x6' run. I think we'll just keep these three and see how they do in there.

If you let them out frequently they should be fine. Larger birds I find dont often roost even when provided them. They are so cute running in the yard. (And the kid is too) . If you dont want your entire lawn devoured you might consider extending the run space off the 2 main doors a ways then you could alternate giving them forage areas to spend some time in. Enjoy them you will be in for a fun experience and let us know when you get your first egg.

 

[h2oratt]

Hello. We live in San Jose and just started with chickens. We bought chicks at Half Moon Bay Feed & Fuel as I called around and the SJ stores didn't have any. When we drove there, they had one black sex link and quite a few black jersey giants. We took the sex link and two of the jersey giants. They're ninety-x percent (forgot the exact number) likely to be female . They were born Feb 11th so are almost 2 months old now. We didn't know anything about breeds when we bought them, only picked this type because that's all they had at the store. We've now learned the jersey giants are extra big, which is not ideal for the small home depot coop we bought (which is advertised as comfortable for four, but have learned on here perhaps better for regular/medium sized chickens). Plus variety would be more fun anyway, I woulda got another type if they had it. I suggested to my wife we eat the biggest one and try buying another type chick. She suggested how bout sell it since she's not super happy with the idea of killing/cleaning/eating a chicken we raised. Then I told her there's a norcal area on the forum I've been reading that maybe has other bay area people and maybe someone would trade us some other type of chicken for this one, anything's possible! So, other than hi, anyone in the area wanna trade me some other type of non-giant chicken (ideally young) for a 7-week old Black Jersey Giant? Here's a pic today, we're using that baby fence to keep them out of our vegetable garden until I get the time to put in a real fence and they are hanging out by it now, but they have a whole yard to play in. Even a swing hanging from a tree they haven't swung on other than when I put them there.

Welcome. You came to the right group. There is also a swap/ sell group thread but it is better to find people that live close to you. I have heard jersey giants are very nice birds. Good layers. Did you get them for their eggs? I am not looking for any more chickens but you will get good advice here

 

[Ezs Choukies]

Hello. We live in San Jose and just started with chickens. We bought chicks at Half Moon Bay Feed & Fuel as I called around and the SJ stores didn't have any. When we drove there, they had one black sex link and quite a few black jersey giants. We took the sex link and two of the jersey giants. They're ninety-x percent (forgot the exact number) likely to be female . They were born Feb 11th so are almost 2 months old now. We didn't know anything about breeds when we bought them, only picked this type because that's all they had at the store. We've now learned the jersey giants are extra big, which is not ideal for the small home depot coop we bought (which is advertised as comfortable for four, but have learned on here perhaps better for regular/medium sized chickens). Plus variety would be more fun anyway, I woulda got another type if they had it. I suggested to my wife we eat the biggest one and try buying another type chick. She suggested how bout sell it since she's not super happy with the idea of killing/cleaning/eating a chicken we raised. Then I told her there's a norcal area on the forum I've been reading that maybe has other bay area people and maybe someone would trade us some other type of chicken for this one, anything's possible! So, other than hi, anyone in the area wanna trade me some other type of non-giant chicken (ideally young) for a 7-week old Black Jersey Giant? Here's a pic today, we're using that baby fence to keep them out of our vegetable garden until I get the time to put in a real fence and they are hanging out by it now, but they have a whole yard to play in. Even a swing hanging from a tree they haven't swung on other than when I put them there.

Welcome. You came to the right group. There is also a swap/ sell group thread but it is better to find people that live close to you. I have heard jersey giants are very nice birds. Good layers. Did you get them for their eggs? I am not looking for any more chickens but you will get good advice here

Enigma9o7 welcome to the thread. We live about 2.5 hrs north and may do a trade with you. We are also open to transporting for people when we have a trip planned. It will be super important though even if your getting healthy birds from a good clean source to do a quarantine. Some people say 2 weeks I try to do a month especially if coming from a show or group meeting. This needs to be total segregation, no sharing of feeding tools or walking into new birds' area with the same foot wear/unprotected clothes. Sounds extreme but even if you get a healthy bird the stress of moving can make them more prone to illness and you don't want to lose your birds to something preventable. If I go to another chicken persons place I bring clean/disinfected wellies with a spray bottle of bleach water to clean my boots or they go into a trash bag or tote and cleaned before they ever touch ground again at our place both for their protection and ours. We have 15 birds 6 bantam, 3 giants and 6 standards, right now and it would be harsh to lose one let alone all (sounds depressing, sorry, but just one of those things better to be forewarned). H2oratt is so right, the Jersey's are known for being a calm, nice breed. I just got our first 3 (1 black, 1 frizzle white and one splash) after reading how similar their personalities were to my lil fluffy butt cochins since DH likes real eggs. You may be ok since the commercial JG are usually closer to standard size. Keep an eye open for fairs, shows and swaps you will learn alot, get great ideas and many people have birds for sale or trade. Often before a big event a thread will start on BYC for presales and meet ups at the event which is great to visit with everyone and put a face to the user names. The most important thing I have learned here is how wonderful chicken people are! 99% are helpful, honest, kind, just really awesome people! It cracked us up at the big Modesto show how one couple was hovering claiming a few sale birds, rude and generally behaving territorial each time we saw them, they obviously new but also it was nice several of us noticed this because it was not "normal" in our circle. They rebuffed people's offers to help on how it works and we just smiled. Not to gossip just an example of why i enjoy chicken people so much. If you have an emergency not only are there threads to learn but post something and someone is going offer to help best they can, you won't go through anything (good or bad) alone when you reach out here. Welcome to the flock!

 

[HighStreetCoop]

My Orps all roost, and they're pretty dang large.

 

[sawprops]

Hi @HighStreetCoop - I'm in Oakland too! Love your Orps <3

 

[sonoralinda]

What does everyone think, normal size hens, do they prefer a 2x4" on its side to roost on, or a round oak branch smaller or larger?

 

[PetRock]

What does everyone think, normal size hens, do they prefer a 2x4" on its side to roost on, or a round oak branch smaller or larger?

I use 2 x 4's and some 4 x 4's.

 

[QueenMisha]

What does everyone think, normal size hens, do they prefer a 2x4" on its side to roost on, or a round oak branch smaller or larger?

Mine seem to prefer the manzanita branches I put in, about 1.5-2 inches in diameter. Also the 1" wooden dowel. I've also found that more birds seem to roost on the 2x4s when they are put in with the wide side up.