Jersey Giants thread for pictures and discussion

[carnivore]

And multipurpose bird is what my aim was when I ordered these. I'll have to admit though after looking through this thread and seeing all the amazing birds I wouldn't mind going the breeder route. I raise boer goats and have show quality goats so I generally want animals of good quality that follow the "experts" standards. For now I think I will keep all my birds except for a few Roos that I'll cull when they mature. I may try finding some quality breeder birds when it comes time for replacements.

Caponize your extra roos instead, and grow some giant sized meat birds!

 

[navafarm]

Caponize your extra roos instead, and grow some giant sized meat birds!

I could do that too. I had to google caponize I didn't even know that was possible. Thank you for your suggestion!

Can you tell I'm new to this?

 

[carnivore]

I could do that too. I had to google caponize I didn't even know that was possible. Thank you for your suggestion!

Can you tell I'm new to this?

Wait 'til you investigate BJG capons (it's what they were bred for). Weights in the neighborhood of 18 to 20 pounds are possible.

 

[Spoiled Birds]

I have a question about one of my BJG chicks.

I got 3 chic's from a woman on 7-9-14, and 2 from someone else the day before that.
All 5 are w/in a week in age, 10 or so weeks old now.
The 3 (siblings I guess) were almost bald and one got her tail busted open when the woman caught her w/a net.

2 have grown and their feathers came back, even 'BooBoo's' tail looks good now.

BUT 'Streaky' is like stunted and still has no new feathers. She is active, eats, drinks and scratches,
but does have a light clicking noise when she breathes if you hold her to your ear.

Look at my BJG pic's and see if anyone knows what the deal is.


the group 'Streaky'


'Streaky' 'BooBoo' and her bandaged tail


'BooBoo' & 'Streaky' 'Streaky' & 'Pecker' (he pecks everyone's
feathers except for 'Streaky' so that's his name)

I feel bad for 'Streaky', I've given her vitamins and electrolites and extra protein.
She still never changes. I don't have the heart to cull her. Now if she was visually
suffering I'd have to make myself for her well being, but she doesn't "mope" around.
She even jumps and flaps back at 'Pecker' when he does the same to her.
PLEASE help me.

 

[navafarm]

I got all my BJG's from Cackle Hatchery, and have no complaints at all. It really depends on what you want them for. For show quality birds, hatchery is not the best route. For a dual purpose meat and egg bird, hatchery birds are fine.

If you don't mind me asking did the JGs you ordered from the hatchery mature to a satisfying weight? Ive been reading lot of complaints stating that hatchery JGs do not grow to desired weight.

 

[carnivore]

If you don't mind me asking did the JGs you ordered from the hatchery mature to a satisfying weight? Ive been reading lot of complaints stating that hatchery JGs do not grow to desired weight.

My current batch is 11 weeks old as of Aug 3rd. There is naturally a range in weights, the larger birds are running 7-8 lbs, while the smaller ones are running 5-6 lbs. Keep in mind that JG's tend to really fill out after about a year. They are slow growing, but worth the wait. I think many of the "small" complaints are from impatient people who don't wait for them to reach maturity.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

If you don't mind me asking did the JGs you ordered from the hatchery mature to a satisfying weight? Ive been reading lot of complaints stating that hatchery JGs do not grow to desired weight.

My hatchery JG is 4 years old and maxed out at 8.5lbs. I couldn't imagine her any larger. She wouldn't fit in my cute little backyard coop.

 

[mrchicks]

I have a question about one of my BJG chicks.

I got 3 chic's from a woman on 7-9-14, and 2 from someone else the day before that.
All 5 are w/in a week in age, 10 or so weeks old now.
The 3 (siblings I guess) were almost bald and one got her tail busted open when the woman caught her w/a net.

2 have grown and their feathers came back, even 'BooBoo's' tail looks good now.

BUT 'Streaky' is like stunted and still has no new feathers. She is active, eats, drinks and scratches,
but does have a light clicking noise when she breathes if you hold her to your ear.

Look at my BJG pic's and see if anyone knows what the deal is.


the group 'Streaky'


'Streaky' 'BooBoo' and her bandaged tail


'BooBoo' & 'Streaky' 'Streaky' & 'Pecker' (he pecks everyone's
feathers except for 'Streaky' so that's his name)

I feel bad for 'Streaky', I've given her vitamins and electrolites and extra protein.
She still never changes. I don't have the heart to cull her. Now if she was visually
suffering I'd have to make myself for her well being, but she doesn't "mope" around.
She even jumps and flaps back at 'Pecker' when he does the same to her.
PLEASE help me.

 

[navafarm]

My hatchery JG is 4 years old and maxed out at 8.5lbs.  I couldn't imagine her any larger.  She wouldn't fit in my cute little backyard coop.

I'm hoping to have some 13+ pounders. Hen or rooster. We will see how they develope.

 

[navafarm]

My current batch is 11 weeks old as of Aug 3rd. There is naturally a range in weights, the larger birds are running 7-8 lbs, while the smaller ones are running 5-6 lbs. Keep in mind that JG's tend to really fill out after about a year. They are slow growing, but worth the wait. I think many of the "small" complaints are from impatient people who don't wait for them to reach maturity.

Thanks for your reply. My birds are only 10 weeks so we are in the same stage. I plan on keeping the hens for their entire natural lives so I'll keep tabs on their development. I've been seriously considering the caponizing some of the males but I read that doing it when they are older is riskier. Maybe I'll let them mature over a year choose one for sire and caponize all the baby Roos after that.