Jearsy giants for newbe??

[boat309]

Would this breed be good for the first time raiser?? And if not what is a better breed. I'm not really looking for a lot of egg production or meat just mainly pets with eggs being a bonus. What ever I get I am only getting around 7 and I do have a fairly large coop and run in the making.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Although I have not had Jersey Giants, I have heard good things about them. I personally am a fan of mixed flocks. I ordered from Ideal Poultry because I could get a variety without paying much extra (http://www.idealpoultry.com/)

It is easier to tell them apart when you have a few breeds in the flock. I think My Pet Chicken also allows for getting a mix of chicks.

Whatever breed(s) you get, I bet you will really enjoy your new chickens.

 

[jillscoop]

I have white jersey giants and they are very nice & very calm birds. They dont pick on my smaller breeds. The roo has never challenged me and is docile when I pick him up. The will take longer to mature and lay eggs for you then a regular chicken. They are also not as prolifiic an egg layer as my ameraucanas , delewares, and barred rocks. We like having this giant bird around and it may be why we have been so lucky with predator birds not bothering our free range flock.

 

[boat309]

so is a mixed flock a good idea? i was under the understanding that i had to have a flock of all the same breed and or size for every one to get along?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

so is a mixed flock a good idea? i was under the understanding that i had to have a flock of all the same breed and or size for every one to get along?

Lots of people have mixed flocks here on the forum. I might avoid choosing small bantam breeds with some large bossy breeds(like Silkies maybe, but I have heard of successful mixed flocks with Silkies). Although, I can't really think of any examples of mean breeds. I suppose one of my Russian Orloff hens bosses around my big Buff Brahma a bit. She gives her a quick peck when my Brahma tries to eat first. It has never resulted in injury. The more serious bullying that I have read about involves introducing some new chickens to an established flock or bullying because is weak due to sickness or injury.

I suppose to really compare the mixed flock vs. same breed flock you would need feedback from someone who has experienced both.

Another thing I like about mixed flocks is I can tell some of their eggs apart, so if their is an egg laying problem I can more easily identify which hen is affected.

 

[Just plucky]

We have Black Jersey Giants (2 roosters and a couple hens) in with a mixed flock of two black sex links, two easter eggers, two buff orphingtons, two lavender ameraucana roosters(apologies if I spelled it wrong) and a speckled sussex and they all get along just fine although we need to build a second coop & run for the lav ams due to too many roosters!

The jerseys are gentle giants and are our favorites personality wise, I think it really depends on the bird, you're bound to sometimes find one who doesn't get along with the rest. I say go for it!