Jersey Giant Rooster

[angielindley]

I had 4 Jersey Giant roosters, I decided to sell 3. The one I kept is just gorgeous! When I went to buy hens for my rooster,someone said, I couldn't buy normal size hens for him that he would tear them up. His words not mine.... I'm asking do I need Jersey Giant hens for my rooster?

 

[LRH97]

Assuming you're not buying bantam breeds, no. I've had several JG roos with various breeds of standard hens. I have one Lavender Orp roo now who is a really big bird as well. While keeping everyone the same size is probably the best idea, as long as you keep a good hen to roo ratio, you should be fine.

 

[llombardo]

Interested in answers to this.

 

[aart]

as long as you keep a good hen to roo ratio, you should be fine.

Ratio won't make up for technique.

A large cockbird could hurt a smaller hen, depends on his(and her) technique.
Is she doesn't brace herself well when squatting before he gets on her back he could injure her...same goes if he isn't careful getting on top of her.

Hopefully more JG keepers chime in.

 

[Acre4Me]

We have 7 breeds in our flock, all regular size. We have a 1 year old (12 month) BJG rooster that is just under 11 lbs and should grow to at least 13 lbs or greater. We have a 6 month old pullet - a Plymouth Rock that is fairly large and is laying. So far so good with the rooster. We have 12 month old hens of the following breeds: BJG, SLW, BR, BA, EE. Also, so far, so good with the rooster. We have one more 6 month old Legbar pullet not yet laying. Recently we had a BA drop dead for no apparent reason. Found in run middle of the day, no wounds, no parasites apparent. Spouse wonders if BJG squashed her, but I think just more likely it was for another reason as sometimes birds do just drop dead from an internal problem (she had laid an egg the day before, and was not likely a reproduction issue).

Before the BJG was the top and only male in the flock, we had a BA rooster (same age) who was the top man. Since the BA had it in for my tween, we got rid of him (sold at auction) 2 months ago and kept the BJG. Prior to the BA leaving, the BJG could only mate with the non-favorites of the BA. The BJG female was getting over-mated by the BJG male, although the BJG was attempting to mate with a few others. Now that the BJG is the lone male, the BJG female still seems to be over mated, but is growing back her feathers, which is a good sign. When we have seen the BJG mate with the regular size hens, it seems to work out ok.

According to APA, here are the breeds with standard weights at 10lbs or above for a full grown Cock (Rooster), so only a few breeds get really big. Also, the full-grown hen size is often about 2lbs less than the full grown rooster size, so if wanting larger breeds, here are a few choices:

BJG Cock standard weight: 13 lbs

Brahma Cock standard weight: 12 lbs

Cochin Cock standard weight: 11 lbs

Cornish Cock standard weight: 10.5 lbs

Orpington Cock standard weight: 10 lbs


Good Luck!

 

[LRH97]

Ratio won't make up for technique.

A large cockbird could hurt a smaller hen, depends on his(and her) technique.
Is she doesn't brace herself well when squatting before he gets on her back he could injure her...same goes if he isn't careful getting on top of her.

Hopefully more JG keepers chime in.

This is a good point.

 

[angielindley]

Thank you everyone!
I will go ahead to try it. Hoping all goes well!

 

[Beer can]

I bred my white Jersey Giant rooster over TSC Silkies. They were not bantam size but small. Also hatched some eggs of his over a gl polish that was smaller than the silkies. No probs. Have him with naked necks now. Have never had over bred/damaged hens with him, giants are pretty calm and gentle.
Like 'aart' said above, it's more the technique of both him and them.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I had 4 Jersey Giant roosters, I decided to sell 3. The one I kept is just gorgeous! When I went to buy hens for my rooster,someone said, I couldn't buy normal size hens for him that he would tear them up. His words not mine.... I'm asking do I need Jersey Giant hens for my rooster?

I have a large white jersey giant rooster and various breeds of hens. Wyandotte, EE, Hybrid (red stars) buff orpington, black giants, barred rock and one speckled Sussex. I have noticed feathers on the back lacking, but otherwise no problems with Harvey and his girls. The hens really seem to love him! I am making chicken saddles for the girls that have lost a lot of back feathers. There is no blood and he's not "tearing" into the flesh at all. Here's a photo of Harvey to show his size next to his "girls". I confess, I love Harvey too!