Son called last night and he has been bit by the baby chick bug also. He wanted to order Black Giants and I told him no! This is why.
Not surprisingly, the Jersey Giant is a large bird that was developed in the 1870's in New Jersey to meet the demand for heavy fowl. Developed by the Black brothers, it was originally called the Jersey Black Giant. Giants were bred from crosses of Orpingtons, Javas, and Langshans, becoming and remaining the largest chickens developed in America. They are rugged birds but because they grow a large frame first and have little meat until about 6 months, they have not been used in industry, which prizes a rapidly growing bird.
Characteristics: Jersey Giants are the largest breed in the American Class. They should be rugged, with an angular shape, single comb and black (with willowish tinge) shanks in the Black variety and dark willow shanks in the White variety. The Jersey Giant will go broody but is not the best choice for incubating and brooding because of their size. Their tendency to grow a big frame first and cover it with meat later make them a poor fit for today's conditions. The meat yield is disappointing until they are 6 months or older. No fowl with black plumage or dark or willow shanks has ever remained popular in this country for long, although they used to be more widespread. However, good specimens do have an appeal, mainly because of their size. The black Giant lays few eggs.
Son doesn't like the sex linked bird because he bought a flock from one of his friend once that were pass their production age and he got few eggs.
I told him to get Buff Orpington, Black australorps or Rhode Island reds. If he would get a red sex linked bird he would get more eggs but he is stubborn and set in his ways.
I am going to place order for him so I could order what I want and tell him this is what you got!
The orpington averages 3 eggs a week, The australorps average 4 eggs a week and the Rhode Island red averages 7 eggs a week.
The brown leghorn would be a good choice for him. These chickens lay 7 eggs a week and do well on free range. He lets his chickens roam so he should get a brown leghorn but they are not much when you butcher so I suppose that is not a option.
2 comments:
Hi Patsy,
You've got the Spring fever, don't you, dear. All these chickens and plans for little new ones and eggs, oh what fun you are having.
I am dreaming of my garden and the flowers and herbs. I've already planted some seeds this year and am eager to see those and all the perennials and re-seeded annuals poke their little green noses up anytime now. This is my Spring fever.
Patsy, Larry ordered those black giants once...they were horrible chickens. and they were huge. He ordered some others but now I can't recall all the types of them...but I remember the black giants.
Larry mother had the chickens that laid colored eggs and they were good layers...they were banties though.
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