Need advice on jersey giants

[Neisa]

My husband and I are wanting to add a jersey giant to our new 'flock'. I have a 1 year old Australorp hen named rooster Cogburn and then 2 one week old chicks (1 black sex link, 1 buff orpington) that I got the other day. I want a pullet,my husband wants a cockeral. Im not opposed to the cockeral because i like the aspect of a big ol protector for the girls. But I'm worried that i don't have enough hens to keep a rooster happy and i don't want him to hurt my ladies.Thoughts? Also, how so the hen and rooster personalities differ? Any advice is more than welcome!!!!

 

[sourland]

A real big rooster like that and only 3 hens - I think you may very well have barebacked girls. Of course you could always get another dozen hens or so. Only trying to help here.

 

[Neisa]

See that's what I was thinking too and I don't want that to happen at all. Unfortunately I can only have up to 4 chickens at the moment or I'd be rolling in poultry lmao do you think a hen would vully the other chicks since she would be bigger?

 

[sourland]

There is always posturing and scuffling when changing the social structure of a flock - chicken society can be cruel. If it were me, I would get a third chick, raise the three together, and when large enough introduce them to the Australorp hen. There will be some fighting, but the older hen will spread her 'displeasure' among the three younger birds. "Given enough space they will work things out.

 

[Neisa]

Awesome, thanks for the advice! Have you ever had Jersey giants before? How's was your experience with them?

 

[sourland]

I have never raised Jersey Giants, but theoldchick has a flock of them. Drop her a private message with any questions. She's a really good person and will willingly help you.