One of the most amazing breeds of chickens, the long-cherished dream of many breeders, rare until in Eastern Europe is the Jersey giant. These outstanding birds received official recognition only in the second half of the 20th century, but selection work began at the end of the 19th.
The efforts of enthusiasts who purposefully crossed large hens of dark color from different breeds were crowned with success - the breed turned out to be stable and extremely successful.
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Description and appearance of chickens
Representatives of the breed are stately beautiful birds. The large head of the cock is crowned with a straight six-toothed red comb. The same color smooth earlobes and earrings. Medium beak expressively curved. The eyes are dark brown.
Well feathered strong neck connects the head with the body. Connoisseurs have noted a straight long back, voluminous belly, and of course, an outstanding massive chest. This "busty" somewhat shifts the center of gravity, so the bird gets a proud posture.
The back ends with a luxurious tail. Moreover, in chickens, it is no less expressive than in roosters.
Chickens are very similar to cockerels, their dimensions are slightly smaller, they look more squat.
Temperament and conditions
The breed of Jersey is considered to be a purebred breed. However, its dimensions dictate certain conditions. Coop should be spacious.
Very desirable to have a platform for daily walking.Then the hens of this breed will be strong and reach an optimal weight in the period provided for by the standard.
In this regard, no matter how tempting it was to engage in the industrial breeding of the Jersey giant, the best purpose of the breed will be backyard and farm content in limited quantities.
Specifications
This is a meat breed of chickens, not lost the ability to carry eggs, including fertilized ones. Hatching skills are weakbut in this case it is not a disadvantage. In the brood about the same number of chickens and cockerels.
Growth and weight gain
The maturation period lasts up to 7 months, but the intensive growth of males ends by 5 months.
For economic reasons, a Jersey bird not destined for a tribe is slaughtered at this age. Left roosters grow to one and a half years.
By the beginning of egg production, in the seventh month, chickens weigh about 4 kg, males reach 5 kg by the year, 6 years at 1.5 years. With age, the weight of the male can reach 7 kg, but this negatively affects his fertilization abilities.
Egg production of 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 is able to carry 180 eggs, the egg production decreases with age.
This amounts to 180 - 200 g per day when recalculating for grain. Therefore, in the first year For the production of one egg requires 360 - 400 grams of feed.
Breed species
Representatives of the breed are divided by color into 3 species. Here is a description of each of them:
- black - the original form, which formed the parameters of the breed;
- whites - appeared after the introduction of black birds by selection from representatives of the breed;
- blue - the result of interbreeding, like white, is a species with recessive traits, when mixed with black in most cases the color is not preserved.
Content Features
The size of the bird of this breed causes the need for enhanced nutrition.
Chicks feeding
Chickens up to 2 months kept in a separate room, most often outside the chicken coop, in the master's house. From the first day, babies are provided with heat, 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 in the goiter. From the second - the third day, the diet is gradually expanded, increasing not only the quantity, but also the variety of food.
The younger generation should get proteins (from the 4th day of life it is meat or fish meal), root vegetables, roughage (meal and meal), calcium supplements (chalk). In absolute numbers - from 20 g on the first day to a full ration of 180 - 200 g by two months.
Teen food
After two months, the bird is offered an adult diet. In the following months, the appointed slaughter-males will receive an enhanced diet — at this time there is a growth spurt that ensures the output of marketable products by 5 months.
At this time, protein nutrition is very important, which is easily ensured by pasturing 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 successfully grow on "free breads" - Jersey perfectly catch the beetles and find worms in the soil. In the chicken coop they will be accepted calmly - the giants are not prone to scandals.
Chickens before puberty must also spend time in the fresh air and partially there and feed on natural products.
Laying hens
The hens are provided with good nutrition, but a common mistake should be avoided: the hens of this breed easily gain excess weight, which does not have the best effect on fertility.
Daily walking optimizes the supply of essential nutrients, Jersey giants are excellent feed getters.
Conditions of detention
With the possibility of captive maintenance, food costs in the warm season are reduced by 70%. In winter, the ration is chosen by the owners, it is common to all breeds, except that the constant presence of shell rock and chalk in a separate feeder is of particular importance.
Giants are able to calm tolerate and year-round content in the hen house. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure sufficient habitat of each individual - at least 0.5 m² per head. In addition, access to solar and artificial light is necessary - a window and light bulbs (1 per 10 m² of floor space), as well as fresh air.
Considering the size of the bird, the litter is made soft. As caking, add a dry layer on top. Perches and nests are placed at a small height, because the bird practically does not fly.
In the nests make stingrays for eggs - the hens of this breed have bad hens, but they can trample or throw an egg.
Diseases
From the first days of life, they prevent the incidence of disease - chickens receive antibiotics, later they add antihelmintic drugs.
All birds are susceptible to mycoplasmosis, therefore prevention is important: avoiding contact with wild birds and maintaining cleanliness in the chicken coop.
The net enclosure is covered with a solid roof of any material. This will prevent game from entering the faeces and feathers.
The advantages and disadvantages of the breed
Indisputable advantages include:
- a large number of good quality meat;
- fast weight gain;
- resilience for colds;
- enough eggs;
- high survival young stock (82 - 85%).
The disadvantages of the breed are few:
- increased amount of feed;
- an increase square on the individual;
- need manufacturer shifts.
Owner reviews
Representatives of the breed appeared in Russia. The herds are increasing, the breeders spread the egg and the young.
- Sergey from the Moscow region realized his dream - he started chickens and males of this breed. Over time, he wrote a cock from America to fertilize females from Europe. He made sure that The bird requires a lot of feed.
- Leila from Moscow notes that there is little to achieve the indicators of the standard of one pure breed, need to provide good nutrition and conditions.
- Gray-haired from Tula notes that in winter at a temperature of -30 ° C outside and +5 in the hen-house the hens are great rushing - with 10 hens 6 - 7 eggs per day.
Thus, the Jersey giant is one of the most promising meat-egg breeds for the conditions of Eastern Europe. Its production characteristics, calm temper and endurance provide enduring popularity among poultry farmers.