Jersey giant - a breed of chickens (photo)

Chickens at the farmstead will not surprise anyone today. However, few can boast of such a miracle as the Jersey giant. The breed of chickens, still little known in Russia, but which has become popular with many cattle breeders, is rapidly gaining popularity. Giants combine the best characteristics of domestic chickens, they have proven themselves as strong and hardy birds, resistant to a wide variety of diseases. They have a calm character, they easily get along with other poultry.

History of the breed

In Russia, only a few years ago, the first representatives of these birds appeared. So we first saw what the Jersey giant is. The breed of hens interested local breeders and soon began to gain popularity rapidly. In fact, they were withdrawn a very long time, more than a century has passed since then. The American breeder back in 1915 told the world that there was a new breed - the Jersey giant. The breed of chickens remained unknown for a long time, and only in 1922 the birds were officially recognized.

However, the history of these chickens is even more interesting. The fact is that in 1915 the official name of the breed was given, but they began to breed these birds back in 1870. In order to achieve excellent performance, breeders crossed the chickens of the Orpington breed, dark bra, black java and black langash. That is why the first to receive black specimens. At first it was the only color in which the Jersey giant was known. The breed of chickens continued to improve, in the middle of the XX century there appeared white individuals. A new round in the history of the breed occurred already in England in 1980. Based on imported representatives of the breed, local breeders brought out blue, lacy birds. White and blue birds were officially recognized in Germany in 1994.

Breed Exterior

What does the Jersey giant look like? The breed of chickens is distinguished by a long and deep structure of the trunk. They are very different from other domestic chickens, a long, wide back and massive shoulders. Full breasts and strong tibia complement their silhouette. The head is framed by a leaf-shaped crest and earrings of medium length. The lobes of the ears are red, the eyes are dark brown. Color can be black, white or blue. If you expect to breed birds for meat, then the weight characteristics will be more significant. Rooster average reaches 7, and chicken 5 kilograms. Good indicators for egg production. On average, the hen produces 180 eggs a year. This is almost a record number for meat breeds.

Main differences

What is so good about Jersey giant? The breed of chickens, reviews of which speak of exceptional endurance and precocity, can not remain without the attention of livestock keepers. This is the largest meat breed of chickens. In the first year of life an impressive skeleton is formed and the bulk of the body is typed. If the bird is kept in a closed cage, then it is necessary to provide it with the necessary amount of protein and calcium.

In general, a fairly successful species of poultry is the Jersey giant. The breed of chickens, reviews of which are exceptionally positive, are increasingly gaining the attention of farms and private farms. With such a large body weight, a high egg laying is maintained. Each egg in the middle has a total of 70 g. The chickens begin to swing as early as 6-8 months. The bird is very good and profitable, as interest in this breed only increases, the demand for a fertilized egg or hatched young is very large.

However, everyone who first started these wonderful birds on the farmstead has many questions: what to feed, how to contain and protect from disease. We will try to answer these questions, so that you can get yourself a bird like the Jersey giant. The breed of chickens (the photo does not reflect the beauty of this bird) is very promising, it is simply created for small farms and a private farmstead.

Ration

Because the bird is large enough, you need to thoroughly stock up the feed. This is especially true when there is no possibility of open grazing, and chickens are kept indoors. At once we will make a reservation, such way of the maintenance is quite possible and gives good results, but demands more expenses for feeding.

In principle, the fodder base is standard enough, if you kept any other chickens, then the Jersey giant will not be an exception. The breed of chickens, photos of which shows a large, strong bird, refers to early maturing, which means that it requires full-fledged feeding. As a percentage, this is 2/5 of the corn, 2/5 of the wheat, and 1/5 of the cake (this includes also chalk, shell rock and vitamin supplements).

If the bird is not allowed to graze freely, separate feeders with additives should be installed. Usually, for these purposes, narrow, wooden boxes are nailed to the wall and filled with crushed limestone or sand as a source of calcium and other minerals. Small pebbles are necessary for good digestion and help to avoid a lot of problems. If the bird is fed whole, not steamed grain, the presence of solid particles becomes vital.

Features of care

Feed the bird 2-3 times a day. Once a day, you should give a wet mash. The basis can be steamed mixed fodder, various soaked cereals, bread, fresh herbs and other ingredients serve as additives. Well, if the composition of the feed is a coarse grain.

It is recommended to give such food at night, so that a bird with full crawfish sleeps. This will increase egg production and positively affect the weight of the young, which means that your jersey giant will soon reach the optimal weight. The breed of chickens, the content of which is not difficult, does not bother you at all with the areas for grazing. In this case, care is minimized, in fact, only to the evening feeding.

The nature of the birds is quite calm and peaceful. Despite the love of space, walks on fresh grass, and in a closed aviary well grows Jersey giant. The breed of chickens, the description of which begins with the definition of meat, fully justifies its purpose. Do not neglect the rules of accommodation in enclosures, its overpopulation can lead to high morbidity and mortality of birds.

Aviary

Russian foreigners tolerate these winters very well. Even if the temperature in the chicken coop drops to -5 degrees, the egg-laying stays at altitude. Do not forget that the litter should always be dry and warm. You can use sawdust, hay or straw, you must also remember the ventilation of the room. In summer, a bird can manage an open pen. As we have already said, the biggest selling chickens is the Jersey giant. The photo of these handsome men is able to interest any person who is remotely connected with a household backyard. For normal livelihoods, the number of birds in a closed enclosure should not exceed 2 individuals per square meter. Even with this amount it is necessary to create good ventilation. For these purposes, a pipe is installed near the floor with an outlet to the outside. She solves the problem of ammonia accumulation near the floor, where chickens spend their time. Do not forget to build an air pocket so that there is no direct draft, it will adversely affect the health of the bird.

Content problems

Now you can almost imagine what the Jersey giant is. The breed of chickens, the most egg of all meat, can provide a family with both. But, as usual, everything is not perfect. Young chickens tend to gain weight quickly, and if there is a lack of movement (closed content), they are obese. This has a bad effect on egg production, such birds often suffer from oviduct prolapse, which leads to death.

Despite the high health and vitality, birds are prone to a number of diseases. In Russia, the biggest trouble is mycoplasmosis. It spreads by airborne droplets and quickly spreads through the metochion. It is manifested by bronchitis, sinusitis and leads to a large case of a bird. This disease is very insidious, you can buy a bird that has recovered and survived, but continues to be a carrier. It will infect individuals who do not have immunity. If you had an outbreak, the disinfection of the room is bad, the newly neglected bird runs the risk of getting sick.

Growing chicks

Buy kids from reliable breeders, otherwise the risk of buying sick or unviable individuals is high. It is safer to buy an egg and bring it out in a home incubator. In the first days of yellow-throats it is better not to feed, so the esophagus will get rid of the egg yolk. But to drink warm, boiled water, on the contrary, you need as often as possible. The room should be warm, light and dry, drafts are especially harmful to children. In the first few weeks, use only specialized feeding mixtures, vitamins and antibiotics. This will significantly reduce the risk of losing livestock.

Where can I buy a bird for divorce?

Buy both eggs and small chickens only from trusted suppliers. Be sure to check the certificates, otherwise you can sell ordinary chickens at the price of purebreds. In Russia there are specialized farms, which, upon the request of the consumer, will prepare the order on time, you do not have to worry about the freshness of the eggs or the health of the chicks.

Let's sum up the results

These birds are recognized as the largest. Jersey giant - the breed of chickens is universal, which is very convenient for small farms and private farmstead. Judging by the reviews, these birds grow very quickly and rarely get sick. After 6 months, chickens begin to give eggs, after about 8 young males to the face. At the same time the impressive weight of the carcasses is very pleasing. It is especially convenient to breed this breed if there are areas for free grazing. Then the cost of growing a bird is greatly reduced, as is the need for daily care.