txmel - GUESS what I got yesterday?? My first Jersey Giant egg of the season! HOLY COW they took FOREVER to begin laying this year! I am uber excited....it will not be long, Melanie!
I have birds from both Maria Hall and Bobbi Porto. Both lines have very good qualities, I believe Maria's are a bit more of a pure line, I think Bobbi has brought in other lines to strengthen her flocks genetically (nothing wrong with that, it's a personal preference on how you do this - either linebreeding or bringing in new blood - I feel there are advantages in both). I would say my very best hen is from Maria, but IMHO, Bobbi grows an UBER nice rooster! So, I kept the best rooster from Maria's line, and the best rooster from Bobbi's line, and a few hens from each. My flock is not huge, but I've culled heavily and and really, really happy with where I am! Still a work in progress...poultry is just so darn fun!
What I love most about my Jerseys is size. I love huge! And, though I love my Marans, I sometimes just need a break from all the work they need. It's nice to have a flock that I can sort of "coast" with, and that's for sure my Jerseys! I think this breed is a super special one, very worthwhile to keep going strong!