The Jersey giant is a unique breed of chickens, representatives of which are real giants. Among the meat breeds of birds, this species received a special place. Jersians are record holders and are considered the largest birds on our planet. Chickens can weigh up to 7 kg, hardy and resistant, and are very popular in private farms.
Origin
For the first time it became known about the breed Jersey giant in the state of New Jersey (USA). Uham Dexter in 1915 was able to get a unique breed of weighty chickens, which received such an interesting name.
John Blackie in the second half of the 19th century with the help of breeding bred a new breed. This process took almost 20 years. In the 21st century, this species was safely delivered to the territory of England. It was here that in the future, active work began to get birds of various colors.
Over time, this breed spread and consolidated in Europe. Thanks to numerous genetic experiments, we received Jersians with feathers of blue hue. German scientists were able to bring snow-white birds.
Description and appearance
Beautiful and stately hens are the main representatives of the species. The head is large, the male has a six-tooth comb, straight, red, the same shade of the earring. The beak is not large, has a noticeable bend. The eyes have a dark brown tint.
The neck is covered with plumage, the back is long and straight, round and slightly protruding belly. Large and very prominent chest, due to which there is a slight change in the center of gravity. Due to this, proud posture is formed in birds. The tail is voluminous, but in females it is more expressive, unlike roosters.
The main feature of the breed is strong, widely planted and stable legs, on which 4 fingers are located. Outwardly, the hens resemble males, but the body sizes are slightly smaller, seem more squat.
Temperament of a bird
The birds are not shy, have a balanced and quiet disposition. Easily tolerate even severe stress. A change in familiar environment does not negatively impact productivity.
Representatives of this breed are very mobile, like walks in the fresh air. Aviary does not have to be enclosed with a high fence, as the birds do not attempt to take off.
Hens are clumsy and a bit slow, can attack eggs. Therefore, you need to regularly collect eggs.
Varieties
Only three subspecies of Jersians were officially registered:
- White - the plumage in birds is a snow-white hue, the beak is yellow in color, and the legs are light gray in color.
- The black - black plumage with a slight emerald ebb.
- Blue - the color of birds shimmers with various shades of gray with light blue rays.
white “Jersey giant”
black “Jersey giant”
blue “Jersey giant”
Advantages and disadvantages
Jersey giants have certain advantages, which include:
- meat is tasty and juicy;
- high productivity;
- birds gain weight in a short time;
- excellent taste eggs;
- easily adapt to various conditions of detention;
- females become beautiful mother hens;
- practically are not exposed to diseases;
- a large percentage of survival.
Like any other breed, this species has some disadvantages:
- the birds are large, so they need a large area for walking;
- it is required to select a special diet, which will ensure the survival of young animals;
- the taste of meat in birds older than 11 months is reduced.
Birds of this breed often suffer from such an unpleasant disease as obesity. This may adversely affect the quality of the eggs for incubation.
Breeding birds as a business
If you plan to raise and breed birds of this breed to build a successful and profitable business, you need to consider the following nuances:
- To raise chickens, use only highly productive, high-quality and expensive feed.
- At first, you will have to make a rather impressive monetary contribution. If you approach the organization of a business correctly, in the near future all investments will surely pay off.
- Females are very large and slow, so they can crush eggs during hatching. To avoid this trouble, use an incubator to get chicks.
- In advance, the egg can determine the weight of an adult bird.
- If necessary, you can calculate the mass of young animals according to the following scheme - add 170 g of the weight of the chick to the mass of the egg.
- Select young growth no later than 10-11 hours after hatching.
Outwardly, the eggs do not have characteristic differences, so it is required to purchase them from reliable farmers to start their own business. This technique will help to be sure of the purity of the breed.
Specifications
This species is considered meat, but the females have not lost their ability to lay eggs, which can be fertilized. Hatching skills are not particularly pronounced, but this quality is not considered a disadvantage. For self-breeding, you must use an incubator.
Maturity and onset of oviposition
Birds reach maturity at the age of 6 months, at the same time the females begin to rush. However, for breeding or when using an incubator, only select eggs from hens that are at least 8 months old.
Oviposition stop and start of molting
In the first year of life, molting can occur in the spring, in the future this process occurs in the fall. During molting, females stop laying eggs, eat less and become less active. The average molting time is about 4-7 weeks, but in some cases it may take longer.
The reasons for molting for more than 3 months include:
- poor and limited diet;
- development of vitamin deficiency;
- poultry infection with insect parasites or helminths;
- various diseases;
- severe stress;
- a sharp relocation or resettlement of new birds.
The duration of the molt has a direct impact on how actively the chicken is carried - the earlier this process ends, the sooner the laying hens will begin to lay their eggs. Birds of this breed tolerate this period very hard and need careful and constant attention, as well as providing good care.
Do not forget about the need to correct the diet - manganese and iodine preparations, vitamins are introduced into the menu. If possible, give the birds fresh berries of viburnum.
Shedding in heavy chickens can occur in the summer. Breeders with great experience advise culling such birds, as they will still not be able to become good laying hens.
If the bird practically does not eat during molting, moves a little and becomes very lethargic, show it to the veterinarian. Such behavior is not characteristic of a healthy individual.
During molting, birds are susceptible to disease, so they should not be allowed to live in a cold room or get wet in the rain.
Productivity
For 12 months, one laying hen can bring about 180-185 eggs. The eggs have a rich brown hue of the shell. The mass of the first egg varies within 50 g, in adults - 60 g.
Chickens of the described breed can be grown to produce meat products. Slaughter can be carried out at about the age of 6-6.5 months, when the weight of the bird reaches 3 kg or more.
Growth and weight gain
The maturation of individuals of this breed lasts until the age of 7-7.5 months. In roosters, the active growth phase ends by about 5-5.5 months. If the individual is not intended for breeding, slaughter is carried out at this age.
By the beginning of the period of egg laying, which falls at the beginning of 7 months of life, the weight of the females is approximately 4 kg, the mass of males reaches 5-6 kg. With age, the increase in the mass of the male continues, and by 1.5 years the weight of one individual can reach 7 kg.
Too much rooster weight negatively affects fertilization.
Content Features
The described breed of chickens does not cause special difficulties in keeping, but there are certain subtleties caused by the rather large sizes of individuals.
To obtain strong and healthy birds, you need to purchase chickens or eggs for incubation only from reliable and trusted suppliers. An ideal option would be to buy eggs and control the birth and growth of the chicks.
House requirements
For the comfortable development of chickens, a room of at least 50 square meters is required. m. Be sure to make sufficient lighting in the house. It is desirable that there is a window in the room, which is recommended to be equipped on the south side.
Regarding artificial lighting - for every 10 square meters. m install one light bulb. Do not forget to equip the ventilation system. You can ventilate just by opening the doors, but this will not be the best option in the cold season.
Layers are large and the habit of throwing eggs out of the nest. Therefore, place the sockets as close to the floor as possible. Place the boards near the nests at an angle so that the birds are more comfortable climbing into them.
Walking requirements
In the warm season, breed representatives need daily and long walks. Chickens move a lot, get food and nutrients on their own, which is due to the use of various insects, worms, pebbles and green grass. Depending on the number of individuals, the size of the pen is also determined, since the birds are large.
Birds do not try to fly. Therefore, no high fence or fencing places for walking. They can feel quite comfortable in small areas, if the herd is not large.
Winter conditions
Jersians calmly tolerate low temperatures. Even at -5 degrees for the Goal, there is no decrease in egg production. But more severe colds can bring serious inconvenience. If birds are allowed to walk in the cold season, be sure to regularly grease the scallops with vegetable oil.
In the room where the chickens will spend the night, the temperature should not fall below +5 degrees Celsius. The optimum temperature is considered to be within + 10-13 degrees.
In the chicken coop, be sure to place the litter, for which it is better to use dry straw, sawdust, and sunflower husk is suitable. Do not forget to regularly ventilate the room, even in the cold season, as the birds need clean air. Do not allow strong drafts, otherwise the chickens will be constantly sick.
Feeding hens
Layers need a properly selected diet, especially if molting has begun, since females need special care and attention during this period. In the diet should be present not only protein, but also grain types of feed. It is recommended to give soybean meal, sunflower meal, meat and bone and bone, or fish meal.
In winter and early spring, sprout wheat. Each day, give birds 50-60 g per individual. To increase the amount of nutrients, you can give cereal crops a yeast.
Baby Care
Place hatched chicks in a dry and warm room, in which maintain the temperature in the region of + 28 degrees. It is not recommended to give food in the first 24 hours.
Be sure to give water, the temperature of which should be about 40 degrees. Dissolve vitamin C and glucose in water. Wash drinkers several times a day and add clean water to prevent contamination.
Feeding bird
Feeding start with a boiled yolk - for 20 chicks 1 yolk, which you chop beforehand. On the 2nd day, give an egg in combination with a specialized compound feed. After 3 days, stop giving the egg, replace it with millet or corn porridge. Together with porridge, give a small amount of fresh cottage cheese.
For 3-4 days, add greens to the menu, which will provide the growing body with vitamins. After 10 days, give the boiled vegetables. During morning feeding, give fish oil. At the age of one month, begin to gradually transfer the chicks to the diet of adult birds.
Diseases of the Jersey Giants
Starting from the first days of the life of the chicks, take a simple prophylaxis, which will help to avoid various diseases. For this purpose, give antibiotics to the chicks, and when they grow up, use anthelmintic drugs.
All birds can be affected by a disease such as mycoplasmosis, so do not forget about the importance of ongoing prevention. To this end, keep the house clean, regularly ventilate the premises and prevent the hens from coming into contact with wild birds, which may be carriers of the disease.
Be sure the chickens should have access to the ash bath. Thanks to bathing in ash, birds clean feathers. Also, this simple technique allows the prevention of parasites on feathers and skin.
Be sure to cover the roof of the mesh enclosure with any material so that feathers and droppings of wild birds do not get inside.
Where to buy and at what cost?
On the territory of our country, Jersians are a very popular breed, since birds have a large body mass, tasty and juicy meat, excellent taste qualities of eggs and a beautiful appearance. Many farms breed this breed.
You can purchase Jerseys:
- Nursery "Count's Nest", Nizhny Novgorod.
- "Chicken Yard", Krasnodar Territory, Apsheronsk.
- LPH Simbirev, Moscow Region, s. Ivashkovo.
The average cost of representatives of this breed:
- a young rooster - about 1,500 rubles;
- laying hen - about 1000 rubles;
- chicken - about 250 rubles;
- hatching egg - about 200 rubles.
Breed Reviews
Inna, 30 years old, psychologist, Kazakhstan. Opted for black and blue birds. I liked the breed, ideal chickens for tasty and juicy meat. In addition, the high productivity of laying hens can be attributed to the advantages.
Daniel, 28 years old, driver, Kopyl. I liked the white representatives of the breed the most. Birds literally impress with their interesting and spectacular appearance. Of course, it was necessary to equip a separate aviary. At first glance, it seemed that the breed does not require special attention, but this is not so. In independent breeding, certain difficulties appear, which I did not consider when choosing a breed.
Hide
Add your review
The Jersey giant is a special breed. It is one of the most interesting and promising meat and egg species. Birds show high production rates, not only egg production, but also weight. The character is calm and stable, interesting appearance, high endurance. It is thanks to all these qualities that the breed is in such great demand among farmers.