Jersey Giants thread for pictures and discussion

[Wynette]

5 months is such a awkward stage for giants, or at least the giants i have raised. Your's does have that nice long straight top line. I am guessing it is either the way he is standing or his age, but in that photo his chest looks, strange to me.

Any idea on his weight? I'd put my two blacks in the 8-10 range at around 6 months. I noticed my neighbor (A falconer) has a electronic bid scale. I think I might have to borrow it.

Framac

NO idea at all on his weight, Framac. I have a digital postal scale that I use, and will do so when he's older. Right now, I honestly am not concerned. This is a new line for me, and I'm still on the fence regarding whether I'll keep them or not. But...leaning toward keeping. At least this male.

What I do like about him better than my other line is his tail. My other line is very good, proven in the show ring, but the tails are a wee bit short. My hope is that it doens't get any longer. I have seen recently many "Giants" that clearly (at least to me) have been bred with Black Langshan...the tails are too upright and long, and too "plumey." I do not want to go there - ack!

But, I know that this male is pure Giant. The breeder is fussy...I love that in a breeder. His line is not known to be ginormous; but falls well within SOP. That's what I'm after. My other line is quite large, maybe a bit over SOP. But, I feel like you lose some type when you go too awfully large. Don't misunderstand - large is fantastic - I wouldn't have Giants if I didn't think so!

Oh, his breast - yes, he has a TON of filling in to do. He has a very long/deep keel, so hopefully, when he's about 18 months, he'll look like a different bird.

 

[turkeygirl2012]

Some of our youngsters still growing out.

 

[edznn]

I would like nothing better than to have strainof Blue Giants. I had some excellent Golda Miller strain a few years back, but a bobcat took care of that one night at a time (I took care of him too).

 

[Framac]

I would like nothing better than to have strainof Blue Giants. I had some excellent Golda Miller strain a few years back, but a bobcat took care of that one night at a time (I took care of him too).

Where are you located?

The Giant club membership directory might be able to put you in contact with someone in your area.

 

[turkeygirl2012]

One of our six month old gals from a cross of jersey blood we dug high and low to find

 

[seminolewind]

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.

Jerseys and Polish were my first choice for chickens 6 years ago and still are now. My Jerseys have a personality. They will break up fights , they are calm and friendly. It's fun to see them come running, LOL. I have 2 roos. One flies up onto my hubby's arm. The other is a massive blue roo. At one point I had 5 Jersey roos in a pen, and my 9 year old granddaughter would go into the pen with bread.

 

[seminolewind]

Here's the biggest roo I've ever had. He 6 months old.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Here's the biggest roo I've ever had. He 6 months old.

Oh he's a beaut!

 

[seminolewind]

Even with the molting tail, he is beautiful. I will eventually have to hatch some girls for him. 3 of my girls are 6 years old, and 1 is 4 years old, and I don't think they'd appreciate being in with a young randy rooster!

 

[Wynette]

Not much new news being posted lately...anyone care to share their 2014 hatching plans, goals, objectives, breeding strategies?

I am hoping to do several hatches of Giants using two lines; I'll begin hatching in January/February. Hoping to improve my blues, strengthen my blacks...looking to put a bit longer tail on my Jennings line, and work on wing carriage. Also, improve feather quality. My new line is still much too young to know what I will need to work on there, but I am pretty darn excited about 2014!

Anyone else care to share?