Jersey Giants thread for pictures and discussion

[Lisa and girls]

Handling makes a huge difference in birds. I gave two leghorns of of of my batches to a little girl who held them all day and night. Well, when her mate got eaten by a coon 4 years later and I got the other back, it was the fattest calmest leghorn I have ever seen. All mine were raised as livestock and would come for food and run if you looked at them wrong. This one loved pet was not only well fed and fat, you could reach out to pick her up, poke her side, lift her wing, grab her leg, hold her on her back, flop her comb around, and she'd just stand or sit there like nothing was happening.That bird had some serious handling and cuddling in it's time and was like a living rag doll. She didn't lay eggs but due to her temperament, she went to a pet home vs where the rest go.

The rest are like that. But I brought them up as chicks. You can pay your lap and they'll jump up and sit and like to be petted. These came from a home with 40+ chicks so I think not very much handling was done. I continue to pick them up and hold them. I think they're getting calmer. These things just take time I guess!

 

[Herman63]

Got my JG chicks....

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p226/Herman63/jg1.jpeg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p226/Herman63/jg2.jpeg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p226/Herman63/jg3.jpeg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p226/Herman63/jg4.jpeg

Black, Blue, and Splashes

 

[Wynette]

Herman, I can't wait to see more pics as they grow! They look to be a fat & sassy lot - enjoy!

I've got a couple dozen eggs I'll be putting into my incubator tonight from a very good breeder in Ohio; he won BB at a large show in Ohio last fall and I've been in communication with him since then. His Giants are not the largest I have seen, but boy, great conformation on them! I believe they'll cross nicely on the Giants that I now have.

Sorry I haven't been on the thread too much...I've been busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kickin' contest!

Hope y'all are doing really well, and looking forward to a fantastic GIANT 2013!

 

[Herman63]

Thanks, Wynette

Will try and post more pictures from time to time.

Hope your hens are starting to lay some.......


Herman

 

[Wynette]

Herman, they actually JUST began to lay over this past weekend. I've checked every egg, and they have all been fertile. Just waiting for a few more to start back up again for the season!

 

[beowulf1877]

Chicks came today! Woohoo! Now I really got to get the coop ready! I can't stop going in to visit them! So far all are okay, only a couple of cases of pasty butt but otherwise all are good. Got mine from Maria in Indiana. She has been a joy to work with! Kept in touch with me the whole time and when I requested to be put backwards on the list because we lost power for a week and a snow storm came through she was very understanding. I will be buying more from her in the future. Thank you Maria!

So onto the questions. Should I vaccinate them? And do I do that myself or take them to a vet? And on average how long before they are ready to be put in the coup? I know smaller breeds say 4-5 weeks, but the slow growing nature of the JG is it longer?

Thank you all!

 

[Tomtommom]

Mine are in the coop, and they're 5 weeks. They're pretty much feathered, just lacking a tail *laugh*

 

[Herman63]

Beowulf,

Got mine from Maria, also have had a great experience with Maria.....We probably got chicks from the same hatch.....

How about some pics?

Good luck, Herman

 

[Wynette]

Yeah on chicks!!!

I am UBER excited to report that my hens....at least a couple of them...are FINALLY laying! YES!

Also, I am extra excited to report that I have 27 Black Giant eggs in my incubator from a gentleman who really seems to know his stuff, and has been breeding them for many years now. I saw some of his stock firsthand at a large poultry show last fall, and when I saw the cockerel he showed, I knew I HAD to have some! So, I've been in communication with him since then, and we finally got it worked out. I really wanted another bloodline to add to what I already have. I'm super pleased with what I see in my barn this year...the female that was placed reserve champion american at a good-sized show when she was 7 months old is now just over 2 years, and holy cow, she is GORGEOUS!!! I can't not stop and take pause when I walk past the pen. I really do need to get some current pics, and plan to do so this weekend.

Cross fingers for my hatch....set them just last night, so it'll be awhile until I see any chicks!

 

[Tomtommom]

I am really starting to adore my Jerseys. They're just wonderful birds. Very balanced, they're pretty good foragers, but they're not 'wild' like some breeds are. My rooster is extremely curious and is forming a bond with my 4 year old (he digs up worms for Mr.Roo).

I could forsee the Jersey giant becoming my 'go to' bird.