Jersey Giant needs

[Somewherre]

Hi! I currently have a mixed flock of australorps, orpingtons, easter eggers, welsummers, and guineas. They all live together, more or less peacefully in a barn converted to a big coop, and free range most afternoons. In the coop I have scattered roosts of varying heights, with the shortest about 4’ up.

I just ordered some baby jersey giant pullets, and while they’re hatchery stock and prob won’t be huge, I am expecting them to be pretty good sized once they grow up.

In doing my pre-purchase homework I saw where they shouldn’t have high roosts since their weight can cause them broken legs in the jump down. While it will be easy enough to add shorter roosts, will they use them if there are taller options available?

Thanks!

-somewherre

 

[Henry&Friends]

They will choose their favorite roosts— if you add one a foot off the ground they should be able to hop up and down with ease.

 

[FortCluck]

Hi! I currently have a mixed flock of australorps, orpingtons, easter eggers, welsummers, and guineas. They all live together, more or less peacefully in a barn converted to a big coop, and free range most afternoons. In the coop I have scattered roosts of varying heights, with the shortest about 4’ up.

I just ordered some baby jersey giant pullets, and while they’re hatchery stock and prob won’t be huge, I am expecting them to be pretty good sized once they grow up.

In doing my pre-purchase homework I saw where they shouldn’t have high roosts since their weight can cause them broken legs in the jump down. While it will be easy enough to add shorter roosts, will they use them if there are taller options available?

Thanks!

-somewherre

Mine roost on the floor. They do require lower roosts and I don't think they'll use higher ones, they are unable to get up high due to their weight and size. They can jump/fly about knee height that's it.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
My one order of JG's many years ago, had both cockerels and pullets, and they varied a lot in size. Ten birds total, from MMcM, all nice.
The cockerels went to the freezer as planned, and as they all grew, some were 2x at least the size of others. After a few months, three smallest pullets were able to fly to the lowest roost, at about three feet up. They were the smallest of the group. The others weren't able to fly that high, and left, because I didn't want birds who couldn't make it up to the roosts.
The two smallest birds grew into 'midget JGs', the size of Australorps, and were sweet and gentle souls who lived to be ten years of age, and are still missed. As JGs, not so good; as nice hens, delightful.
This was all a while ago, so your experiences will no doubt be different. Really large chickens do have issues flying, so true.
Mary

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey Welcome to Backyard Chickens not a duck person but they do imprint on humans uncertain I would want to take them to another place put a wading pool in your yard let them swim there

 

[ColtHandorf]

My English Orpingtons struggle to get up to a three foot high roost. And if the ladder/ramp isn't at least eight inches wide they won't use. Or at least they try and slowly slide back down because of their bulk. I'd offer some low roosts and when you introduce them to the flock, train them on those lower roosts for a few nights so they know they don't have to be up high. And offer a wide, easy inclined ramp/ladder to get them up there.

 

[Somewherre]

Thanks, folks. I’ll definitely be adding some very low roosts for the JGs, and maybe a ladder or two up to the higher ones for everyone else.

I actually just re-did the coop furniture arrangement, and am realizing I no longer have any form of steps up to the roosts. No big deal at the moment, but it’s going to get cold soon and they’ll all need places they can snuggle together.

 

[aart]

Haven't had JG's...but my big clumsy Brahma's had me add ramps.
Have had a couple big cockbirds(not the one in pic),
they prefer(red) to use the ramps too.