Jersey Giants thread for pictures and discussion

[Jackie 10 hens]

I have 7 Jersey Giant hens. And 1 Rooster....I'm new to chicken. And this bread.. they are about 17 weeks old.... I love the rooster...he watches over the flock ..keeps them all together when they are out wondering in the yard..I'm not sure when I will start to get eggs. Soon I hope.. they are all black and will add a pic soon

 

[Framac]

I was wondering about the roost and nest heights on a mixed flock of jersey giants, austrlorps and orpingtons. Im worried about them hurting their feet. Starting my coop now for spring chicks and want to try to work out the kinks before there is a problem.

I have a ladder style roost set up. There is a little squabbleing over the top roost, but most of the Giants do a step down approch, level 3, to level 2, then to floor (they never use level 1).

Works for mine.

Framac

 

[kentuckychicks]

I have a ladder style roost set up. There is a little squabbleing over the top roost, but most of the Giants do a step down approch, level 3, to level 2, then to floor (they never use level 1).

Works for mine.

Framac

oh thanks! How high is your level three? Waist high? Higher?

 

[Wynette]

Consider not having a roost for your Giants; though many folks don't have issues, some of the Giants that grow VERY large can actually damage their legs from hopping down from a roost.

Mine were so used to having a roost, we felt badly removing it, so hubby ended up remounting it 4" off the floor. They can step up and down from it, and they still do "roost" using that board.

Makes it a bit more time consuming sweeping up as my broom doesn't fit underneath the roost now...but, worth it to know I shouldn't have leg issues.

 

[Momhunter]

I have my roost 1 and 2 feet above the thickly laid shavings on my floor. One of my Roos is 16 lbs and I have several hens that got to the 10 lb mark. No leg issues. My giant are 1.5 years old.

 

[Framac]

oh thanks! How high is your level three? Waist high? Higher?

3 foot, 2 foot, 1 foot. I have had larger chickens for 2.5 years now and have not had any issues.

My only issue with not having roosts, (I could have fixed it by moving the nest boxes) is that my nest boxes are 2 feet off the ground, and before the roosts, chickens would roost there.

Framac.

 

[Wynette]

Framac, I had the same issue, so I replaced the top of the nest boxes with slanted "roofs."

Works for me, but of course, everyone should do what makes sense for them. At the end of the day, populating the world with more awesome Giants is the goal!

 

[kentuckychicks]

Thanks again for the quick replies! This site rocks! Im going with a mixed flock of larger friendly birds. Plan on getting five buff orpingtons five black australorps and five white jersey giants. I hate to leave them on the floor so thinking of doing at the highest 3 feet with a board coming down to let them walk down instead of having to fly. Want to try to get it high enough for a lower poop board. Does this sound about right? I know everyone has different opinions but since the jerseys will be my largest birds i thought the best advice would be from people who own and love their big birds.

How are jersey roosters? Calm? Aggressive? Im just getting pullets to start but its good to be informed because Im hoping to add in a rooster the next year. I have two small kids and want to work out the chicken/kid kinks before bring in a tighter strung sex.

 

[Framac]

Wynette, very true.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that If I get one bird with leg issues, I'll revisit the layout.

 

[Framac]

Thanks again for the quick replies! This site rocks! Im going with a mixed flock of larger friendly birds. Plan on getting five buff orpingtons five black australorps and five white jersey giants. I hate to leave them on the floor so thinking of doing at the highest 3 feet with a board coming down to let them walk down instead of having to fly. Want to try to get it high enough for a lower poop board. Does this sound about right? I know everyone has different opinions but since the jerseys will be my largest birds i thought the best advice would be from people who own and love their big birds.

How are jersey roosters? Calm? Aggressive? Im just getting pullets to start but its good to be informed because Im hoping to add in a rooster the next year. I have two small kids and want to work out the chicken/kid kinks before bring in a tighter strung sex.

Personally, I have never had a people aggressive JG rooster. and honestly, in 25 years of birds, I can only think of but a handfully of roosters that were hard core aggressive.

My Giants are fairly laid back, but do well in a mixed flock. If you are getting only one rooster, any from the three breeds should be relatively calm. Handle him when you get him, and things should go smoothly.

Framac