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!
