I hope these questions won't be minded! I don't have any jersey giants, but I love the breed on paper. I have two pet chickens, a cochin and a serama, but no laying flock. I want sweet birds, and I know these fit the bill! I am trying to decide what I want to compose my flock of in the spring. I have no problem waiting a dickyear to get eggs, so the slow maturation is no trouble... honestly I only want a "layer" flock as a way to have more chooks anyway. They could all never give me a single egg and I'd get over it.
I was originally thinking I would do a variety of breeds, but we have 5ft fences on one side (though these are behind a planter, from which there is another 2 or 3 feet to the ground in a lot of places) and 7ft fences on the other with neighbors on two sides and a large field out back. If I was to let my flock roam, they would need to be heavy enough birds that they're not constantly making the leap over property lines. Are Jerseys super motivated to get over fences? I'm sure some are, but I've read they're not big jumpers, and just wanted to confirm with those that have experience.
I know the roosters are nice too. There is a big feral cat problem in this area, and a hawk that I see out by the field often, so I worry about letting hens roam alone with their heads to the ground. Roosters aren't technically illegal where I live, only if they are a noise problem. Has anyone tried no crow collars on them with success? Are they big crowers that go all day, or just in the morning? Are they not the most talkative roos? I'd love to have a rooster, especially a big majestic giant with a good attitude, but if keeping him cooped a little long or humanely reducing his volume to a cackle isn't enough I don't want to risk it. Especially since he would be crowing way before the ladies start laying bribes for the neighbors!
Thanks much!!