Jersey Giants thread for pictures and discussion

[hunterland]

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Kathyinno, I am sorry to have added to confusion, so let me make this simpler.

An allele is a chain-looking set of amino acids (C, G, A, and T) of DNA material that every living organism possesses, including us. Each gene has two interconnected alleles that resemble a step ladder when they are connected. It is the order and length of the alleles that hold the secrets of traits that are passed from hen and rooster to chick or any parent to child of any species. So every protein, every trait, of every species is made up of the same little C, G, A, and T amino acids (U is an exception, but I won't go into that for simplicity sake.

Blackdotte is correct in saying the BB/Bb/bb do not have the Lav gene naturally. The problem of his/her statement is that it emphatically states that mutations cannot occur, because they haven't to known date. The Lav gene (gene number 7) is nothing but an albino-type mutation and it wasn't even heard of 100 years ago. It occurred in the Orpingtons and in some quail species, etc. That same mutation can occur in any species at any time, in humans we call it a form of albinoism that is often connected to neuro defects.

We can force a few mutations, but essentially we currently have very minimal control. The only control we have is in our experimental plays of cloning and mass production of antibiotics, etc..

Blackdotte is being very practical though is smashing any real hope of the same mutations of 3 codons (allele sections or sequences) occurring in the BB/Bb/bb genes, because it may be your great, great, great, great, great, great, great, grandchildren who actually witness the mutation occurring in the Jersey Giant.

Kathyinmo you are being very wise to cross already known LAV-gene chickens with the JG; I doubt you want to wait possibly thousands of years for it to occur naturally as the "white sport" occurred in the black JG.

From the best that I have read, you might have more success to make your first cross with a black instead of a blue. This last comment is just an understanding of what others have used/blogged in their breeding programs.

Still in the process of learning all these new aspects of chicken genetics, but it is just as interesting as cattle, yeast, and peas.

 

[hunterland]

Mrs. Fluffy Puffy :

These are my two new JG chicks! I need some names for them okay guys ... so give me some good'ns!
Black Jersey Giant Hen. My friend gave her to me, she ordered sexed pullets so I know she is a hen.

Your chicks look so alert and healthy. The black's feet look a little white, but the splash's look to be a very nice yellow color. Are you finding that many of the breeders are keeping pet quality birds with the white feet or is that just my experience?​

 

[hunterland]

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I'm thinking Shadow (black) and Apollo (splash) I always look at my unnamed chickens one day and a name pops into my head and that's what they are.

I like those names, I am just now trying to figure out name for my keepers so I can get them put in my breeding records and keep track of offspring, etc..

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

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Your chicks look so alert and healthy. The black's feet look a little white, but the splash's look to be a very nice yellow color. Are you finding that many of the breeders are keeping pet quality birds with the white feet or is that just my experience?

The Black JG chick is from Meyer Hatchery.
Um, I don't know I have a Black JG hen I got from him awhile back and she is looking very nice. I am very please with his birds. He gave me the Splash JG. I had already bought 20 guinea keets so he said you can just have that one.

 

[kathyinmo]

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I am unaware of it happening spontaneously in the Orpingtons (a mutation). All I know of is the Lav Orps created in the USA by hinkjc. Those Lav project birds are what I have. I plan to use those to introduce the Lav gene into my JGiants.

Blackdotte is being very practical though is smashing any real hope of the same mutations

He is not only practical, he is a genius poultry genetics expert and author. Mutations are too rare to depend on, for sure! I am studying simple poultry genetics, at this point, not mutations.

you might have more success to make your first cross with a black instead of a blue.

Yes, it is always recommended to begin with black, as I understand. My plan is: I am going to use my big black Giant girl with my largest Lav Orp project bird. I think I will also use my black Giant roo over a couple of the Lav Orp girls, to see the difference. My guess is that the Black roo will produce better (JG type) females, and the black female will produce better (JG type) males. I will not begin this project for another month or so. My partner in this venture (Micki) will hatch out some of my eggs, as well. Like the Lav Orp project, it will take a few generations to get the JGiant type back in perspective. I think it is 8 generations to be, "pure," if I recall correctly; even though type may look good much before that.​

 

[kathyinmo]

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Serious breeders would never keep anything other than what the SOP calls for. That would be yellow on the bottom of the feet.

 

[hunterland]

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Serious breeders would never keep anything other than what the SOP calls for. That would be yellow on the bottom of the feet.

A response to both of your postings. The lav chicks that you have spoken of have a good reputation. I think it is a solid plan on the crosses you have proposed.

Many breeders who are serious are keeping white footed specimens in their flocks, and not mentioning the disqualifier to potential buyers, yet they do have some very good birds. I have run across this more than once. I was just wondering if I am doubly blessed or if it was a trend I was unaware of in the JG world.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Al the chicks I got from a breeder had yellow feet, but I got one from a hatchery, and his feet were not the right color.

 

[cubalaya]

wow, i posted a pic of my black hens on page 76 and no one even acknowledged them. i guess they didn't look good to you guys or you are too busy trying to come up with a lavender giant

 

[sophiejw]

I just looked at this thread to find pics of Jersey Giants, as they are a breed I am thinking about getting. The two black hens look lovely- are they good layers? Do you recommend the breed to go in with a mixed flock and are they nice natured? And do they lay big eggs?