Chicken breed giant jersey - description and characteristics

One of the most amazing breeds of chickens, the coveted dream of many breeders, rare while in eastern Europe - the Jersey giant. These outstanding birds received official recognition only in the second half of the 20th century, but the selection work began back in the late 19th.

The efforts of enthusiasts, who purposefully crossed large chickens of dark suit from different breeds, succeeded - the breed turned out to be stable and extremely successful.

Description and appearance of chickens

Representatives of the breed are beautiful beautiful birds.The large head of the cock is crowned with a straight six-toothed red crest. The same color smooth lobes and earrings. The minor beak is emphatically curved. Eyes are dark brown.

Well feathered strong neck connects the head with the trunk. Experts mark a straight long back, a voluminous abdomen, and of course, an outstanding massive chest. This "bustiness" somewhat shifts the center of gravity, so the bird acquires a proud posture.

The back ends with a luxurious tail. And, in chickens, it is no less expressive than that of cocks.

Chickens are very similar to males,their dimensions are slightly smaller, they look more squat.

Temperament and conditions

The pedigree sign of this breed from Jersey is the calmness of the bird. However, its dimensions dictate certain conditions. The chicken coop should be spacious.

It is very desirable to have a platform for daily walking. Then the chickens of this breed will be strong and will reach the optimal weight in the standard period.

In this regard, no matter how tempting it was to deal with the industrial cultivation of the Jersey giant,The best assignment of the breed will be homestead and farming maintenancein limited quantities.

Specifications

This is a meat breed of chickens that has not lost the ability to carry eggs, including fertilized ones.Hatching skills are weak, but in this case it is not a disadvantage. In the brood there is approximately the same number of chickens and bettas.

Growth and weight gain

The growing period lasts up to 7 months, but the intensive growth of males ends by 5 months.

For economic reasons, a Jersey bird, not intended for the tribe, is slaughtered at this age. The left roosters grow up to a year and a half.

By the beginning of egg production, in the seventh month,hens weigh about 4 kg, males to the year reach 5 kg, in, year - 6.With age, the weight of a male can reach 7 kg, but this negatively affects his ability to fertilize.

Egg of the Jersey giant

Contrary to expectations, the egg of the Jersey giant does not have outstanding dimensions: the first eggs weigh less than 60 g, the next - up to 70 g. In the first year the hen can demolish 180 eggs, the egg production decreases with age.

This amounts to 180 - 200 g per day when recalculating for grain. Consequently, in the first yearfor the production of one egg requires 360 - 400 grams of mixed fodder.

Species of the breed

Representatives of the breed are divided in color into 3 species. Let's describe each of them:

• black- the original species that formed the parameters of the breed;
• white- appeared after introduction of the black bird by selection from the representatives of the breed;
• blue- the result of intra-breed crossing, as well as white, a species with recessive traits, when mixed with black in most cases, color is not preserved.

Features of the content

The dimensions of the bird of this breed cause the need for enhanced nutrition.

Feeding of chickens

Chicks up to 2 months are kept in a separate room, most often outside the hen house, in the master's house. From the first day, babies are provided with warmth, light and an unlimited amount of very warm water (45-50 ° C).

On the first day there may be a lack of appetite in chickens, this is a sign that there is still a small amount of original feed from the egg left in the goiter. From the second to the third day, the diet is gradually expanded, increasing not only the quantity but also the variety of food.

The younger generation should receive proteins(from the 4th day of life it is meat or fish meal), root crops, coarse fodder (meal and cake), calcium-containing additives (chalk). In absolute numbers - from 20 g on the first day to a complete diet of 180 - 200 g to two months.

Eating teenagers

After two months the bird is offered an adult diet. Roosters assigned for slaughter receive intensive nutrition in the following months - at this time there is a growth jump, which ensures the output of commodity output by 5 months.

At this time, protein nutrition is very important, which is easily provided with grazing content from spring to autumn. That is why the best laying of eggs for incubation is the second half of winter.

After being kept in isolated conditions, the chickens grow successfully on "free breads" - the Jerseyers perfectly catch the beetles and find worms in the soil. In the hen-house they will be accepted calmly - the giants are not inclined to scandals.

Chickens before maturityshould also spend time in the fresh airand partly there and feed on natural products.

Feeding layers

Nonsushkas are provided with adequate nutrition, but common mistake should be avoided: chicken of this breed easily gain excess weight, which does not have the best effect on fertility.

Daily paddock optimizes the receipt of essential nutrients, the Jersey giants are excellent feed diggers.

Conditions of detention

With the possibility of enclosure, food costs during the warm season are reduced by 70%. In winter, the diet is chosen by the owners, it is common for all breeds, except that the constant availability of shell and chalk in a separate feeder is of particular importance.

Giants are able to calmlycarry and year-round maintenance in the chicken coop. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient habitat for each individual - not less than, m² per head. In addition, you need access to solar and artificial light - a window and light bulbs (1 per 10 m² of indoor space), as well as fresh air.

Given the size of the bird, the litter is arranged soft. As the curing is added, dry the top layer. Nases and nests are placed on a small height, because the bird practically does not fly.

In the nests, ramps are made for eggs - hens of this breed are bad hens, but they can crush or throw an egg.

Diseases

Since the first days of life, preventive measures are being taken - chickens are given antibiotics, later antihelminthic drugs are added.

All birds are susceptible to mycoplasmosis, so prevention is important: avoiding contact with a wild bird and maintaining cleanliness in the chicken coop.

The mesh cage is covered with a solid roof made of any material.This will prevent ingress of faeces and feathers.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

The indisputable advantages are:

• a large number ofmeat of good quality;
• fastweight gain;
• sustainabilityto catarrhal diseases;
• sufficient numbereggs;
• highsurvivalyoung (82 - 85%).

The shortcomings of the breed are few:

• increasedamount of feed;
• enlargementsquareon the individual;
• necessitymanufacturer changes.

Owner feedback

In Russia there were representatives of the breed. Herds increase, breeders spread eggs and young.

• Sergei from the suburbs realized a dream - he started chickens and males of this breed. Over time, he prescribed a cock from America for the fertilization of females from Europe. He was convinced thata bird needs a lot of food.
• Leila from Moscow notes that in order to achieve the standard's performance, a single thoroughbredness is not enough,you need to ensure good nutrition and conditions.
• Gray-haired from Tula notes that in winter, at -30 ° C in the street and +5 in the chicken coopchicken excellent rushes- with 10 layers of 6 to 7 eggs a day.

Reviews are taken from the forum Farmer.ru

Thus, the Jersey giant is one of the most promising meat-egg breeds for the conditions of Eastern Europe. Its production characteristics, calm disposition and endurance provide enduring popularity among poultry farmers.