Jersey Giants thread for pictures and discussion

[Wynette]

THANKS, Kathy! I've seen some out there that are super, super nice, but it seems the blacks are the ones that are the closest to the SOP (from what I know of it). Kathy, I think you have the SOP, right? Would you be able to post some of it for Jerseys here? Maybe we could take them one at a time and discuss amongst us? I know they should be flat-backed...some of mine are not, and I'll cull heavily for that this spring from my winter hatch. What else should we be watching for?

 

[Bantimna]

Quote:
I *have* to agree

 

[Splash Giants]

Heres some of my show quality Jersey Giants. I have a flock of about 50 and they are made up of my own line crossed with Marias Jerseys.

Donald

 

[Country Living Farm]

I would love to have some hatching eggs to incorp. into my flock of JG. For those who have listed pictures and such, do you sell them? I would like to get 12 to hatch.

Tks

 

[Wynette]

Monkeying - there are several folks on BYC that have them - check my website if you'd like to see my stock: www.adamsonacres.com

I've worked very hard on my flock, and will continue to try to improve them. This thread is great!

 

[kathyinmo]

Hi Donald! Thanks for joining the thread! Maybe you can help us out, with what we should be looking for .... for the SOP.
I do have the SOP book, but I think alot is left for interpretation. Actually, as I am new to poultry, I am still learning!
In the SOP, under, "shape," it says this:
MALE:
COMB: Single, rather large, straigt and uprigt, having six well defined and evenly serrated points, the blade following the contour of the neck.
BEAK: Moderately short, stout, well-curved.
FACE: Surface smooth, skin fine and soft in texture.
EYES: Large, round and full.
WATTLES: Medium size, well rounded at lower ends fine in texture, free from fold or wrinkles.
EAR LOBES: Moderately large, extending down one-half the length of the wattles, smooth.
HEAD: Rather large, broad.
NECK: Moderately long, full, well-arched.
BACK: Rather long, broad, nearly horizontal, with a short sweep to tail.
TAIL: Rather large, full, well-spread, carried at an angle of forty-five degrees (45*) above horizontal. Main tail -- broad and overlapping. Sickles -- of just sufficient length to cover main tail feathers. Coverts -- moderately abundant and medium in length.
WINGS: Medium size, well-folded, carried at same angle as the back. Primaries and Secondaries -- broad and overlapping in natural order when wing is folded.
BREAST: Broad, deep, full, carried well forward.
BODY AND FLUFF: Body -- long, wide, deep, compact smooth at sides. Keel -- long. Fluff -- moderately full, smooth.
LEGS AND TOES: Legs set well apart, straight when viewed from front. Lower thighs -- large, medium length, well-feathered. Shanks -- stout in bone, moderately long. Toes -- four on each foot, medium length.

STANDARD WEIGHTS:
Cock ....... 13 lbs
Hen ........ 10 lbs
Cockeral ... 11 lbs
Pullet ....... 8 lbs

 

[Wynette]

This is great, Kathy! Thanks so much for posting - I don't have the SOP, so will copy/paste for use when I make my breeding decisions!

Oh, I wonder if THIS is what they mean by the breast "carried well forward" (HA!!!! This pic cracks me up!) - he doesn't typically stand like this - I'd been free-ranging another pen of chooks near him, and he was all ticked off & trying to look big & mean! HA!

 

[kathyinmo]

I bet that IS what it means! LOL I love that picture! I think he was showing off for the girls ... Just like a human male .. puffing out their chest when courting!

 

[Wynette]

Yep - I've got a human male at home that seems to puff out his check every now & then like that! If he ever crows, though, I'll being to worry!

 

[Splash Giants]

Hey Kathy,
I have read the SOP just like you and alot of it is interpretation. I tell you the way I found to be the best is exhibition. I really watch the judges and what they like and thats how I choose which birds to cull and which ones I will keep to breed from. I really like a bird with a large broad head,horizontal back and I try to keep the ones with a tail thats well spread and 45 degress. I like for my blacks to have the green sheen and I do not breed the ones with purple sheen. I like for there body to be well proportioned.The breast,body,head, legs,tail should all match up, because if one of them is off it makes the whole bird look bad. I learn alot from watching the judges.

Donald