October-hatch-along 2019

[Compost King]

I fed my JG the all flock raiser feed and they grew huge in months, I believe it's due to the high protein. I won't be processing the chicks until 18 weeks unless they seem to be good enough before that time. I know crossing JG with another breed like a Delaware will make them not grow as slow and make them better meat birds. JG alone for meat, you'd have to wait a VERY long time. My JG haven't even reached their max weight or growth yet

I got mine to cross with actual meat birds just to see the results. Mine is splash so I will likely be making Blue Meat birds and that will be interesting. I believe mine is a female because no male traits have come up but since its my first time with a JG I am not sure when they start to show male traits. I got 2 and one died, I really only wanted one anyways because I just want to tinker with cross breeding. Jersey Giants are not really a breed I want to keep unless I find great results from crossing them with meat birds.

 

[FortCluck]

Squatch born April 24, 2019

Squatch with Mama chicken May 21, 2019

Squatch and Sid June 11, 2019 (Squatch is in the back with comb)

Squatch and Sid August 11, 2019

Squatch September 16, 2019

Squatch and Sid October 14, 2019 (Squatch is on the right)

 

[FortCluck]

I got mine to cross with actual meat birds just to see the results. Mine is splash so I will likely be making Blue Meat birds and that will be interesting. I believe mine is a female because no male traits have come up but since its my first time with a JG I am not sure when they start to show male traits. I got 2 and one died, I really only wanted one anyways because I just want to tinker with cross breeding. Jersey Giants are not really a breed I want to keep unless I find great results from crossing them with meat birds.

I didn't know that Squatch was a cockerel till 3 months when he got a red comb. Sid I literally found out this month, he had no big red comb until overnight! He started crowing and I was like are you kidding me. Then his comb grew huge overnight, they're a weird breed. I have never had such a hard time identifying a cockerel.

 

[FortCluck]

View attachment 1936281
This is one of the hand hatched chicks still in the incubator, for those who follow my breeding pens this chick is from an NN2 egg. Black like his mother. His uncle is the grey meat bird in my avatar. The NN2 that fully hatched on time has reddish black chick fur.
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This is a hand hatcher that I put back together but it can't quit get out on its own.
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View attachment 1936283
Silver Leghorn, hand hatched and ready to go to the brooder
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An Ayam Cemani with 2 Dark Egg Red Bird project birds, the third I believe is from one of the naked neck projects but I can't tell for sure at this time. Maybe I have 3 Red Bird Dark Egg project birds in this picture too.
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View attachment 1936287
this is part of the Naked Neck Project but half the chicks from her breeding pen will have feathered necks. I know its a female because this breeding produces a type of Red Sex Link (MNN). I ended up with 3 reds and 1 white.
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View attachment 1936290
A silver Leghorn peaking its head out of the rabbit cage turned brooder.
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my attempt to take a picture under the brooder plate since this brooder is in a rabbit cage and I can get the camera down in there.
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From a Naked Neck project but one with a fully feathered neck (FNN)
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another FNN but with a Bibbed or Bow Tied Naked Neck.

Oh wow! Those are all so nice. I love the naked neck! They are such a unique breed.

 

[john_wrightson2003]

I have never had such a hard time identifying a cockerel.

 

[FortCluck]

@Compost King when you get a chance... Can you post pics of your JG. I want to see the size of them.

 

[Compost King]

I will look for one, its raining a bit hard and she (or he) will be soaked and I do not want to drag the camera out in the rain. Tomorrow is a sunshine day though

 

[igorsMistress]

View attachment 1936281
This is one of the hand hatched chicks still in the incubator, for those who follow my breeding pens this chick is from an NN2 egg. Black like his mother. His uncle is the grey meat bird in my avatar. The NN2 that fully hatched on time has reddish black chick fur.
-----------
View attachment 1936282
This is a hand hatcher that I put back together but it can't quit get out on its own.
-------------------
View attachment 1936283
Silver Leghorn, hand hatched and ready to go to the brooder
-------------------
View attachment 1936286
An Ayam Cemani with 2 Dark Egg Red Bird project birds, the third I believe is from one of the naked neck projects but I can't tell for sure at this time. Maybe I have 3 Red Bird Dark Egg project birds in this picture too.
-----------------------
View attachment 1936287
this is part of the Naked Neck Project but half the chicks from her breeding pen will have feathered necks. I know its a female because this breeding produces a type of Red Sex Link (MNN). I ended up with 3 reds and 1 white.
--------------------
View attachment 1936290
A silver Leghorn peaking its head out of the rabbit cage turned brooder.
----------------
View attachment 1936291
my attempt to take a picture under the brooder plate since this brooder is in a rabbit cage and I can get the camera down in there.
----------
View attachment 1936292
From a Naked Neck project but one with a fully feathered neck (FNN)
---------------
View attachment 1936293
another FNN but with a Bibbed or Bow Tied Naked Neck.

From the MNN pen, red chick is female and white is male?

 

[Compost King]

@Compost King when you get a chance... Can you post pics of your JG. I want to see the size of them.

This is from mid summer, the JG is the splash (white) one at the top, the ones below feeding on ground feed are all half Red Rangers. They are younger and heavier than the Jersey Giant because they rapidly grew. I think one of the black ones is 1/4 Red Ranger. Its not the best picture because I rarely focus on the Jersey Giant. When its sexually mature I will take interest because I will start breeding her (or him).

From the MNN pen, red chick is female and white is male?

Correct. Although I am only 90% sure due to this being the first time I did this specific cross of hybrids etc etc.. but I am confident enough to go to 90%

 

[igorsMistress]

I didn't know that Squatch was a cockerel till 3 months when he got a red comb. Sid I literally found out this month, he had no red comb until overnight! He started crowing and I was like are you kidding me. Then his comb came in overnight, they're a weird breed. I have never had such a hard time identifying a cockerel.

I have JG mixes and one of my pullets had me convinced she was a slow feathering cockerel. She used to hang out with the boys and play fight right up until she laid her first egg!