Jersey Giants - a question

[gryeyes]

I'm afraid to put this out in the universe because it denigrates the rest of my flock, but if I had encountered JGs when I first bought chicks - adult ones, that is, to know what I could get - I think I would have nothing BUT JGs!

As it is now, none of my flock are going anywhere, but I sure would like to add some more JGs to it!

 

[exop]

The only thing I have noticed, is that whatever strain I have is definitely not a friendly bird. They are large, imposing, and active free rangers, but seem to regard me with the greatest suspicion. Roosters and hens are both very shy, shyness temporarily put partly aside at feeding time.

 

[RaZ]

Your comment gives me pause, Exop. According to the BYC breed index, these birds are Friendly,Easily handled,Calm,Docile

From the little research I've done so far they seem to integrate pretty well in a mixed flock. That's what I have and I'd still like to add a pair of JG hens unless there might be a problem with that.

I'm open to comments.

Thanks.

 

[gryeyes]

The reason I want them is because they are easily handled and docile and friendly. The ones I already have are exactly that. I really could care less about their egg laying skills - I love the super-sized, friendly chickens. Mine are dolls!

 

[UncleTommy]

Like all chickens, it depends on their upbringing. I have an old JG hen that I got from a woman that raised the whole flock from chicks, I wouldn't say its friendly to me but thats because I didn't raise her, I just bought her 3 months ago. I also have 2 JG pullets that I got from someone else...these birds were not well socialized, they are scared of people and you should have seen how they ran when the guy I bought them from was rounding them up. I would say if you have them from chicks you will enjoy them. One of my pullets just started laying, her pullet eggs are just a little smaller than my full grown EE's eggs, makes me crack up.

 

[RaZ]

I'm going to get a pair but I think I'll wait until spring. Unless I come across a couple of hens that need an quick re-home.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

I have one. She's a BEAUTIFUL bird and I love her. But I'm mad at her right now. I'm down to just her and a BO and she's pecking at the BO. She keep driving her off the roosting bar. So I separated them last night. Now neither are very happy with me. I'm going to try and get a pinless peeper on her tonight to see if that works. It should. And I plan on getting more chicks in the spring. I think having more than just the two will be good.

I will say, they are MUCH happier when they can free range and not be confined. Even though my run is 20' by 14' and there's just the two of them in there. She has a HUGE appetite. And is great at eating snails, slugs and just about anything that moves in the garden. She is also a big scratcher/digger. So if you have a delicate garden, maybe not the best bird.

And she is BIG. Tips the scales around 7-8 lbs. Her tail feathers are always frayed because the nest boxes are a bit tight for her. But she makes it work.

 

[henpeckedmuch]

I've never had JGs so take this for what it is worth.
I talked to a very small little girl with her mother and father at the show in Winston Salem last week. They told me that the little girl,( she wasn't any bigger then her JG rooster) was the one that raised the JG's. They allowed her to raise them because they were so gentle.
I also talked to a woman that raised Old English game bantams (a very small bird no bigger than a parrot) and she said that she used a JG in their pen to protect them.
Buy quality, you always get what you pay for is my advice. Find a breeder ,not hatchery stock, that has gentle birds and purchase what you will be happy with after the sale. Look up on this site under "Breeds" someone that has JGs and talk to them. If you live in the Southeast the name of the family and the little girl was Emily Lowe of Raleigh NC. Email me and I could give you their address info.

 

[exop]

Gorgeous hen, TheSpiceGirls! Where did you get her?

Best - exop

 

[exop]

Quote:
That's right! Mine were raised by a mother hen - that could account for their attitude toward humans. NB. they aren't at all hostile, just scaredy. Could be if they thought I was their mom, they'd look on me in a whole different light.

What do you all think of Jersey Giants' IQ compared to other breeds of chickens you have raised?

Best - exop