The Jersey giant chicken breed, which appeared not so long ago, is considered one of the record holders in terms of weight, as it gives a sufficient yield of meat products.
Jersey giant
About Jersey giants
The Jersey Giant egg and meat breed of chickens appeared on American poultry farms around the 20s of the last century. It was bred in the process of crossed Orlington Brahm chickens and representatives of the Langshan.
The Jersey Giant chickens owe their fame to their very large weight. Layers can gain about 4 kg, for males a good average weight is up to 6-7 kg.
The Jersey giant breed was registered in 1922 as a distinct type of poultry.
Initially, the birds only had black plumage. The consolidation of the results obtained in America at the genetic level took place in England, where the representatives of the breed received various shades, not only black, but also red (tomato-colored), white and even blue colors appeared. Subsequently, the egg-meat breed gained its distribution throughout the European territory, continuing to participate in various experimental crosses. the poultry industry of Russia got acquainted with the rare breed of chickens, the Djersky giant a little later.
Exterior signs
Description of the breed of Jersey giant chickens begins with an indication of their large size and muscular build. Despite their powerful constitution, representatives of giants are distinguished by gracefulness, moving on long, wide-set four-fingered legs. Their bodies are quite long, outwardly reminiscent of a broiler, with a wide dorsal region, developed shoulders, a well-built belly and a deep chest.
Among the color of the plumage, there are 3 main colors that are most often found in the breed:
- the traditional black Jersey giant has a blue tint of the feather, the color of the beak is similar to black, the metatarsus with a yellow tint,
- white with yellow metatarsals and a beak pierced with dark veins,
- blue with an ash tint, the dark beak of which is marked with a yellow spot at the very tip, the metatarsus are close to black with a yellow bottom.
The tail of Jersey chickens is formed by numerous crescent feathers, densely set, located at a 45-degree angle relative to the dorsal region. All photos of the Jersey giant breed show a sleek shiny chicken tail as a kind of bird decoration.
The description of the photo and video about the Jersey giants is noteworthy in that the layers are not much different from the roosters, only a little squat and smaller. However, chickens can be distinguished by their fuller tail, which is set slightly lower than that of roosters. The Jersey giant roosters can also be recognized by their larger heads.
The main feathers of the birds of the described breed are densely set and smooth. The tail is wide and long, adjoining the body from the sides rather tightly. Divided into 6 teeth, the scallops of the Jersey giant are leaf-shaped, set straight upright, as are the scarlet lobes, like a fresh tomato. The iris of the eye is usually dark brown, close to black. The eyes are round, rather large in size, protruding.
Jersey colors affect the prices at which they can be purchased.
Productive features
The Jersey giant has a high rate of weight gain, serving as a supplier of large quantities of chicken meat. By the age of 1 year, males can gain weight up to 5 kg. By the time the egg-laying process begins, the hen weighs about 3.5-3.7 kg.
Jersey chicks are characterized by the intensity of gaining live weight in the initial 5 months, gradually decreasing the growth rate. On average, Jersey Giant chickens continue to grow until they reach the age of 1.5 years.
After five months of age, keeping chickens becomes less profitable. The price of products ceases to justify the investment costs, since a lot of feed is eaten, and the growth rate is significantly reduced.
Oviposition of females begins at the age of seven months, providing up to 180 pieces for a period. Jersey eggs with a strong brown hue. The weight of each egg from a Jersey breed layer ranges from 55-60 g. Sales prices for hatching eggs range from 100 rubles per piece.
Creation of conditions for keeping
Among the intricacies of keeping Jersey Giant chickens, the need to gain weight in the first year of life, especially the first 5 months, stands out.
Walking
Keeping Jersey requires considerable walking space, especially during the warmer months, in order to provide birds with access to grass, pebbles and insects. However, even in the conditions of open-air cages, Jersey are able to gain the required weight and provide the expected productivity from them, subject to the planting rules: no more than 2 birds per 1 sq. m area. The advantage of the arrangement of walking pastures is that they do not require high fences, since the Jersey, due to their large weight, practically do not fly.
Room
In winter, the room where chickens are kept should warm up to 10-12 ° C, although reviews of poultry farmers note that a decrease in temperature to -5 ° C does not significantly affect egg production. Among the prerequisites is regular ventilation to provide fresh air. For the outflow of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide compounds released during the life of chickens, some poultry farmers install a gas outlet, cutting it in from the bottom of the wall of the house. In the poultry house, the floor is lined with straw or sawdust.
Nutrition
Jersey chickens are fed from 2 to 3 times a day, giving preference to wet mixes made from compound feed. Coarse grains are the best option for them. A pre-night feeding regimen will improve the quality of the lay and add weight. In the daily diet of the meat giant, it is recommended to include up to 40% of corn cobs, up to 40% of millet and about 10% of cake, shell rock and vitamin supplements.
Growing young animals
For chickens, the conditions of detention are somewhat different. Young animals in the diet should have a sufficient amount of calcium, vitamins A, D and E. Newborn chickens are placed in a warm place where the temperature does not drop below 28-26 ° C, there are no drafts and there is no excess moisture.
Often, poultry breeders use dry feed or wheat bran as bedding when rearing young animals. Among the main points to look out for during the first days of chicks' life is the constant availability of warm drinking water, to which it is recommended to add glucose.
Newborn chickens are fed up to 6 times a day, starting in the first days with chicken yolk, gradually switching to compound feed mixtures intended for young chicken.
For chickens in the first months of growth, during the formation of the skeleton, calcium feed is mandatory, which can be in the form of crushed limestone. Small shell rock helps to ensure the normal functioning of the digestive system, especially when whole grains are included in the diet of birds.
An overview of the Jersey giant breed. Balakovo
Growth rate Jersey giant, Jersey and Mechelen cuckoo, Malin g Kherson 22 05 2017 h 1
JERSEY GIANT // Characteristics of the breed of chickens
Advantages and disadvantages for breeding
The advantages of the breed important for the price of poultry are:
- high productivity and growth rates,
- stable egg production,
- easy adaptability to changing conditions of detention,
- quality characteristics of eggs and meat,
- high percentage of vitality.
Among the disadvantages that lead to the culling of birds in the breed, reducing prices for individuals:
- the presence in the plumage of a color that is not typical for the breed,
- light color of the eye iris,
- inconsistency of the plus points with the breed shade,
- low weight indicators,
- physique inappropriate for the breed.
Among the disadvantages of the Jersey breed, reviews of poultry farmers distinguish:
- the need for a large space for keeping birds,
- loss of taste of meat in individuals older than a year,
- the breed's predisposition to obesity.
In addition, Jersey giant chickens are prone to mycoplasmosis, therefore poultry farmers recommend carefully observing the birds in the first 2-3 months. Newly acquired chickens and adults are kept in quarantine separately from the entire livestock.