Jersey Giants vs Australorp

[farmland5]

Hi,
We have 5 Colombian Wyondotte hens and are adding to our flock.
We’ve got alot of hawks. So I have not let our white hens free range.

I’ve heard black hens are less likely to be attacked by hawks so I was considering adding either Jersey Giant or Australorp hens. We may eventually add a rooster.

Any recommendations on one breed over another? Are either of these hawk proof?

We primarily want the hens for eggs. We want to keep harmony in the coop. We’d love to have a few that go broody (mostly to incubate Guinea eggs). And hens less susceptible to predator attacks would be great.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It’s not true that certain colors are less susceptible to hawk attacks. I’ve lost a black bird to a hawk before with me mere feet away (it happened behind my back). I got there just as she was taking her last breaths I’ve also lost buff birds and other colors too. So yeah. Not true. Sorry.

That said, I’ve had Black Australorps and they are EXCELLENT birds. And if you want them for eggs, I would go for them over the Jersey Giants. They also make excellent mothers. Mine stole chicks from my Speckled Sussex when they were about two weeks old and continued to raise them. and before that she was a very devoted aunt to them lol

They are also VERY sweet and friendly to people. At least mine were. Mine loved being held and carried around LOL

So yeah. HIGHLY recommend the Black Australorps.

 

[AprilWC]

I have not had issues with aerial predators attacking my Jersey Giants. I have both black and white. They are not immune to large land predators: foxes, dogs, coyotes, etc.

Please be aware that if you are buying from a hatchery, the Jersey Giants will not get very large. I can't speak to the laying ability of hatchery JGs, but in peak season I get 4-5 eggs per week from my girls.