Jersey Giant VS Brahma

[Cha Cha Chicken]

I'm looking to add a few new birds to my flock........I've decided I want some big, cold-hardy girls (for Colorado winters) that lay fairly well. Both the Jersey Giant and the Brahma
fit the bill, so I was wondering what the great folks on BYC thought.
Thanks!

 

[FriendlyFlyer]

I don't have them myself but I know people who do, and theylove thier brahmas!! I have seen them and handled them, they are very sweet and friendly, fairly large, and very cold-hardy! My opinion might be biased because I've never been around Jersey Giants but I know you won't be disappointed with brahmas.

 

[donrae]

One thing to keep in mind is the feathered feet. If you have lots of mud you might want to rethink the brahmas. If not, it's a toss up. Personally, I love the color of the dark brahmas, that lacing is so eye catching!

 

[Illia]

Honestly I live in one of the rainiest, muddiest places in the Continental US and my Brahmas, pet quality and (near) show quality alike, all do fine in it.

If you get from a hatchery/feedstore you likely won't be disappointed with either, but temperament wise you're likely to enjoy the Brahma more. Some JG's out there are skittish or unfriendly. And of course most just don't meet the truly large size the standard calls for. Same goes for most but not all pet-quality Brahmas. Ours from McMurray are no bigger than the rest of the birds we ordered. But still, very good birds, very friendly, cold hardiness though is as good as most other common/popular chickens. Best to go with the pea combed ones though.

 

[Cha Cha Chicken]

Thanks, everyone! it sounds as though Brahma is the way to go. Thanks for mentioning the smaller birds from McMurray... anyone know about the quality of the Brahmas from Meyer? I'm splitting an order with my friend who always orders from them.

 

[giants]

Hi I have several jersey giants and I decided to put 2 brahma chicks in a separate pen so the jerseys can sea and get to be with them until they was 16 weeks old. once let out with the jerseys its been a nightmare..the jerseys wont let them feed with them and allways chasing them off, at night I have to seperate them.they are all free range with half acre to rome and its been 6 weeks when I put them together...no change...all my jersey giants are less than a year old....hope this helps and if you decide to hope you have better luck than me

 

[Michael OShay]

I'm looking to add a few new birds to my flock........I've decided I want some big, cold-hardy girls (for Colorado winters) that lay fairly well. Both the Jersey Giant and the Brahma
fit the bill, so I was wondering what the great folks on BYC thought.
Thanks!

 

[Jean Luc]

Thanks for the good question, I have a big Brahma coq, he is very friendly and docile but he also seems a little lazy as far as servicing the hens. They are also not real great with egg production, they lay a small egg for their size. My question is: which race is better for reproducing?

Here in central Europe its wet all winter, the Brahma's feathered feet dont look so nice wet, and they spend more time on the roost.

 

[luckeychicken]

I have both, giants and brahmas both do good in cold in my experience. Brahmas eat less, both are good foragers though..tough call.

 

[Melintir]

I'm always amazed at how little my brahmas eat with that huge body. I think they even eat less than my tiny silkies