Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[Pathfinders]

I have a black Jersey Giant. Is that a heritage breed?

Yep. The Livestock Conservancy has them on the "Watch" list: http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/conservation-priority-list#Chickens

 

[TeaChick]

Jersey Giants are certainly an old breed, but they suffer the same plight as the Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock and so many others were finding a true, standard bred "Heritage" Jersey Giant is not as easy as going to the feed store or hatchery and getting a "Giant". The hatchery bred birds probably outnumber the real thing about a thousand to one.

Case Acres is a good example of some really nice Giants http://www.caseacres.com/jersey-giants-and-cornish.html

Thank you. I got my Jersey from a friend, who's a breeder, so I'll ask her if she's the real thing.

 

[TeaChick]

Jersey Giants are certainly an old breed, but they suffer the same plight as the Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock and so many others were finding a true, standard bred "Heritage" Jersey Giant is not as easy as going to the feed store or hatchery and getting a "Giant". The hatchery bred birds probably outnumber the real thing about a thousand to one.

Case Acres is a good example of some really nice Giants http://www.caseacres.com/jersey-giants-and-cornish.html

Just checked the page you linked to. My JG looks just like the black hen in the right pic of the second row; she looks the same shape as the brown hens as well; she's all black. She is not the same shape as my Comets or Leghorns, but she has more shape in common with my Comets than the Leghorns. She's considerably larger than them, though.

ETA: Thank you very much for the link and the info. I will still as my breeder friend about her. =)

 

[TeaChick]

LOL!

I was reminded of this as I was washing birds for shows this fall (all by myself.) Those darned Buckeyes were so wide it was a struggle to keep them in the bucket and not flap their wings. Felt like I needed three hands, two to hold the bird, one to wash it.

Made me miss my Dutch Bantams, boy did it, who can be held easily in one hand with space left over.

Not sure if I've uploaded this pic to this thread, but here are some of my Dutch waiting to be blow-dried, back in the day. Chicken burritos!

Chicken burritos

 

[TeaChick]

Yep. The Livestock Conservancy has them on the "Watch" list: http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/conservation-priority-list#Chickens

I'll have to talk to someone about a male or some purebred hatching eggs. Hmmm...

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[Extra Java]

Quote: Yes, many livestock breeders call that "spring of rib".

 

[thedragonlady]

Yes, many livestock breeders call that "spring of rib".

Not only spring of rib. A thoroughbred horse is refined, much as a good Leghorn is. A longer body, smaller dense bones, and a lack of really heavy muscling.The trick to breeding a dual purpose fowl is to balance those qualities that make for a good layer, with those that make a good table fowl. An ample bosom, with a good belly assure you that a hen will be worth roasting when her days of laying are over, but she should have enough of the qualities that make for a good layer in the first place. I cull any bird that is not as wide in the hips,as it is in the shoulders also.

You can go too far either way very easily. Too much refinement,and you loose meat. Too coarse, and you loose egg laying ability.That's the challenge of it !

 

[3riverschick]

Hi Pathfinders,
Here's the quote on Sussex breed type:

"The breast should be broad when viewed from the front. full and rounded. The wing muscles are developed in this frontal section and the wings to carry the full development still further, should be muscular and brawny in appearance. This squareness of wing shoulders tends to give breadth across the cape of the back. and a Sussex cock that when carried in the left hand, can have a half peck measure of feed set on his back, has a fine broad back.
This width across the back and wings should be equally marked by flatness. In some birds the center of the back is prominent: when you lay your hand on the back it feels like a map done in relief, for the vertebrae are as prominent as at the nape of the neck. Such a type leads to "reached" backs—a. convex back—and the type should be discouraged."

Oh, this has got to be a typo. 1/2 peck is 4 quarts. I don't know of any Sussex on whose back
one could balance 4 quarts of feed without it falling off.

I could see 1/2 pint ( 1 cup). maybe.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THanks Karen, I have read some of this before, but this time I get it.

 

[KPenley]

Thank you to everyone who helped answer my many questions about showing and encouraged us to study our APA SOP. We had a great first show in Barnwell today, learned a lot, and I accomplished my goal of not bringing any birds that would get disqualified

Grey (Cream Legbar) and Lily (Double Laced Barnevelder) both placed first in their breeds, of course they were also the only ones in their breeds lol

I'm still not sure why they put her in the English Class instead of Continental, but Lily was entered into the Junior Show by my DS, and she received this little surprise...

Thank you again to everyone!