Jersey Giants thread for pictures and discussion

[OwensMom]

May just try that. Do you think that I would get a decent size bird in 3-4 mo.? I just want a 5 lb(dressed weight) bird at the end. If the cross works that may take care of the week bone structure on the Cornish-mine are having trouble supporting themselves right now.

 

[Wynette]

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I'm just not sure, because these breeds are opposite ends of the spectrum from each other as far as rate of growth. I don't know if the results would even be replicable, but again, I do feel like it's worth a try. I've never raised meat birds, so can't speak from that viewpoint; but the crosses would SURELY take longer to reach butcher weight/size than a Cornish would.

 

[The Tinman]

Don`t cornish x grow to full size in like 6 weeks. I would think by adding a JG to the mix would just slow down the growth. If anything it would add to the bone weight not meat weight.

 

[Wynette]

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Yeah, I was wondering this, also. I dunno, though; if Cornish are genetically bred to grow huge muscles...if you displaced those genetics onto a larger framed bird, would they then produce a bird that is larger, with even larger muscles?

 

[OwensMom]

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Yeah, I was wondering this, also. I dunno, though; if Cornish are genetically bred to grow huge muscles...if you displaced those genetics onto a larger framed bird, would they then produce a bird that is larger, with even larger muscles?

What I'm thinking is this:
1-If i hatch my own meat birds the cost will be small
2-The Cornish x cockerels are nasty pieces of work so I need another breed. I'm hatching JG right now!!
3-JG x Cornishx= big bird, slower growing with more bone to hold weight and still well muscled
What do you guys think. Does that make sense or am I missing something??

 

[mame1616]

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Yeah, I was wondering this, also. I dunno, though; if Cornish are genetically bred to grow huge muscles...if you displaced those genetics onto a larger framed bird, would they then produce a bird that is larger, with even larger muscles?

What I'm thinking is this:
1-If i hatch my own meat birds the cost will be small
2-The Cornish x cockerels are nasty pieces of work so I need another breed. I'm hatching JG right now!!
3-JG x Cornishx= big bird, slower growing with more bone to hold weight and still well muscled
What do you guys think. Does that make sense or am I missing something??

Sorry, lurker here.

From what I've read, neither the males or the females x's will live long enough to reproduce. They were engineered to be killed before 12 weeks old, therefore, even with the females and a JG roo, they would not live long enough to produce an egg, let alone a fertile one.

Have you thought about learning to caponize your males? It's a controversial subject, but from what I've read, it can produce a substantial meat gain. I don't know if the thread still exists or not, because some overly sentimental people created a ruckus on it, but it was fascinating, even if you don't plan on doing it yourself.

And, I need to ask, just how much meat does one need on a bird? The JG's I've met are pushing 14 lbs live weight.

 

[Wynette]

I'm not one that agrees w/caponizing for MYSELF, but I feel no ill will toward those that do. In fact, the breeder I got my last batch growing out was telling me just the other day that she caponized all her cockerels that she didn't need for breeding, that they are a joy to have around - super laid back & friendly, and she's actually been having people who stop out to her farm ask to buy them for pets, because they're so tame & friendly.

I don't know which sets of genes the offspring would get if you crossed a Cornish with a Jersey - it may not receive the set of genes that makes for uber fast growth and, if that was the case, might be "just the ticket" for a good meat bird.....maybe growth faster than a Jersey, but slower than a Cornish, all with excellent size? I still say - try it! What do you have to lose? Hatch out maybe 6, if you don't like the results, don't do it again. Easy peasy.

 

[mame1616]

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I'm on the fence about caponizing, but I have heard the same thing about the results. When I think of the beautiful males I had to give away!

Wynette, I just wanted to say that, while I don't really post, I do follow the thread, and I think you're doing a great job as a leader here. Look for me in my JG shirt at Crossroads! I hope to pick up a couple of nice birds then! (Blues, I have white and black)

 

[Klwright1122]

My Rooster that I want to cross with my giants is NOT a Cornish X, It is a Dark Cornish...he is big and mean...I was gonna breed him with my barred rocks too...but my giants are already almost as big as my other hens....

 

[Wynette]

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AWE! What a sweet thing to say, however, I shouldn't be considered the leader here...we're all on the same level! The day I stop learning something about a breed I love, that's the day I'll sell the flock & move on! We all have good info. to share...pics, ideas, experiences...all are of equal value!