I can see why they call them Jersey Giants...is this normal?

[NellaBean]

Here is my almost 10 week old Jersey Giant Cockerel with a white leghorn pullet the same age behind him.

With a buttercup pullet the same age next to him.

Same pullet behind him.

With a standard cochin a week younger in front of him

He is just MASSIVE. I thought he was an australorp but his feet are yellow underneath.....I started investigating once he starting getting so HUGE.......

Look how big his legs are (easy to see in first pic). They are already thicker than even my thumbs (and i have big hands).

Is this normal for Jersey Giants? HE IS HUGE. And only about 10 weeks old (I got them as day olds, 10 weeks ago tomorrow). He is easily the size of a regular hen. AT 10 WEEKS OLD.

 

[countrybum]

It is normal if you are feeding growing feed. I feed basic chick feed and they still grow fast. I just love my Giants and I eventually hope to have a Giant Roo. So far all I have ended up with are pullets, unless the Roo has just not completely matured yet.

 

[arlee453]

Yep - they don't call 'em 'giants' for nothin'

I have some giant hens and they are very tall and bulky even beside one of the buff orps.

 

[NellaBean]

I have a roo and a pullet and is was obvious from about 4 weeks old? The pullet still has NO red in comb and almost no comb to speak of. Here are both of them together (pullet in back).

She is also quite large but still slightly smaller than he is. And her legs are about half as thick. He feathered in way way way more slowly than she has....he is still feathering in and prickly to hold.

They were easily the friendliest of their "batch".

 

[pipermark]

countrybum which you were closer I could give you a roo.

 

[countrybum]

Is he BIG? I had one at 3 months that must have weighed 10 pounds. He disappeared and ever since, all I ever end up having are pullets. Imagine that, the one time you want a Roo you get a pullet, want a lot of pullets you get Roos.

 

[Junkmanme]

I LIKE the idea of a "Giant" chicken! I like the black color, too!

My neighbor, who has raised all kinds of chickens all his life says that Jersey Black Giants are not "efficient" because they eat a lot and mature slowly.

I don't mind if they eat alot. Perhaps they would eat the feed before the sparrows, grackles, etc. get to it!!!

However, I would HOPE that the hens would be good layers. I'm not informed on that question. BUT, IF they are....I'm gonna order some day-olds!

-Junkmanme-

 

[gumpsgirl]

He most definitely is huge and is only going to get bigger! He is gorgeous though!

You do know that it won't be safe to keep him in with your standard sized hens right? If you do, when he goes to mate them, he will crush them. Thought I'd throw that out there just incase you didn't realize that.

 

[Junkmanme]

Regarding gumpsgirl's previous comment.....

Would it be "counter-productive" to mate a "Black Australorp" Rooster to a "Black Jersey Giant" hen?

It seems to me like that would make a good meat chicken that could also be expected to lay a lot of large eggs.

The black color would be attractive also, I think.

-Junkmanme-

 

[NellaBean]

Can he really not be with my standard hens? That will be.....difficult. I have a RIR rooster as well, who I caught having his way today for the first time (teenagers

), plus some "maybes" that are still growing.

But I like my big ol jersey giant.......