Jersey Giant Chicken Breed: The Complete Guide
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The Jersey Giant chicken breed stands as an impressive figure in the world of poultry, known for its commanding presence and remarkable attributes. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the history, personality, appearance, and egg production of this magnificent breed.
History of the Jersey Giant chicken breed
The Jersey Giant chicken breed traces its roots back to the late 19th century in the United States. It was developed in New Jersey by John and Thomas Black, with the intention of creating a breed that could rival the meat production of the turkey. Through selective breeding, they crossed Black Javas, Black Langshans, and Dark Brahmas to achieve a large, meaty bird.
By 1922, the American Poultry Association officially recognized the Jersey Giant as a breed, making it the largest chicken breed in existence at the time. Though initially bred for meat, Jersey Giants have also gained popularity as exhibition birds and backyard poultry.
My Pet Chicken offers Black Jersey Giant chickens for sale. Although White, Blue and Splash are other varieties available.
The personality of a Jersey Giant chicken
Jersey Giants are known for their gentle and docile temperament. They are often described as calm and friendly birds, making them suitable for both backyard flocks and exhibition purposes. Their laid-back demeanor makes them easy to handle and a favorite among poultry enthusiasts.
Overall, Jersey Giants make wonderful additions to a backyard flock due to their friendly and easygoing nature. Their engaging personalities and calm demeanor make them delightful companions, whether you're a seasoned chicken keeper or new to raising poultry.
The appearance of Jersey Giant chickens
True to their name, Jersey Giants are indeed giants among chickens. They are characterized by their massive size, with roosters typically weighing between 13-15 pounds and hens between 10-12 pounds. Their bodies are long and broad, with a deep chest and a well-rounded appearance.
The breed comes in three recognized colors: Black, White, and Blue. Black Jersey Giants are the most common, with glossy black feathers that shimmer with iridescence in the sunlight. White Jersey Giants boast pristine white plumage, while Blue Jersey Giants exhibit a striking slate-blue coloration.
Egg color and production of Jersey Giant chickens
Despite their impressive size, Jersey Giants are moderate egg layers. They typically lay extra large or large brown eggs, though egg production can vary depending on individual birds and environmental factors. On average, a Jersey Giant hen may lay around 150-200 eggs per year, making them a reliable source of fresh eggs for the household.
They typically start laying eggs at around 5-6 months of age and continue to lay consistently.
Care and health for Jersey Giant chickens
Jersey Giant chickens are hardy and adaptable to a wide range of climates but don't do well in extremely hot climates due to their larger size. With proper care and attention, they can live healthy and productive lives, laying an abundance eggs for years to come. The average life span of this chicken breed is 5-8 years.
Do you have any Jersey Giant chickens in your flock? Share with us in the comments below.
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7 comments
How many eggs does a Jersey Craft chicken Lee per year and do they love cold weather, or can adapt to cold weather
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My Pet Chicken replied:
Hi there! Great question. Jersey Giants are steady layers, typically producing around 150–200 large brown eggs per year. They aren’t the most prolific breed, but their calm personalities and impressive size make them wonderful dual-purpose birds. They actually handle cold weather quite well, thanks to their heavy build and dense feathering. As with any breed, you’ll just want to make sure their coop is well-ventilated but free from drafts, and keep their bedding dry through the winter. With good care, they’ll stay comfortable and keep laying for you even when temperatures drop!
I have 2 hens and unfortunately 2 roosters Black Jersey Giants. I wanted only hens. They are a beautiful breed. I love the green highlights in their feathers when the sun hits them. One of the hens is very friendly. She follows me around the yard and talks all the time. I think it’s mostly about getting more feed. LOL. One BJG rooster (Romeo) has a main hen (Juliet/ a Bielefelder). It’s cute watching them do everything together. Even the roosters are more docile and I’m not worried about being near them. However the California White Rooster is very aggressive and you have to keep a close watch on him. I’m hoping to get more BJG hens when we replenish our flock next spring.
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My Pet Chicken:
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Jersey Giants—we absolutely loved reading about your flock dynamics! It sounds like you’ve got a charming crew! Black Jersey Giants are truly stunning, especially when the sunlight catches those gorgeous green highlights. It’s wonderful to hear how friendly one of your hens is (we’re laughing right along with her feed requests!), and Romeo and Juliet sound like the perfect backyard love story.
We’re also glad to hear your BJG roosters are on the docile side—that gentle temperament is one of the reasons we recommend them so often, but yes, every flock has its characters!
We’d be honored to help you add more Jersey Giant hens next spring—just let us know when you’re ready. Thanks again for sharing your flock with us!
I have four Jersey Giants and they are lovely,but they STINK. I don’t know if anyone has any ideas to repel the extra ammonia of this breed.
I love them to death very loud. Lots to say lol. I named mine after the power rangers.
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My Pet Chicken:
Your Jersey Giants sound like a lively and fun flock—naming them after the Power Rangers is brilliant! As for the smell, it’s not uncommon for larger breeds like Jersey Giants to produce more waste, which can lead to a stronger odor. To help manage the ammonia, you might try adding more bedding to their coop and using a deep litter method, which can help absorb moisture and reduce odors. Another option is to use products like agricultural lime or zeolite in the coop to neutralize ammonia. We have various products available, so please reach out to us directly, we’ll be happy to help. Good ventilation is also key to keeping the air fresh.
I’m just a starter hoping to start poultry farming soon for the production of meat and eggs and also to be kept as pet. Which breed is advicable to start with as sweet meat production and which is more advicable to start with as nourishing large extra large egg production.
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My Pet Chicken replied:
You have two different requirements for the business you are outlining. Most farms choose White Leghorn or Golden Buff for egg laying breeds, and another, like Cornish, for meat. The Black Jersey Giant is a great all-purpose breed, as are many of the other homestead breeds such a Barred Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, and Black Australorp. We hope you are able to make your farming dream a reality!
I have 2 jersey roosters that have bred my flock to the point that I am sure I have some jersey hens. They are my only roosters and this is the 2nd generation. Is this possible that they have bred pure or almost pure? The hens are huge and lay huge eggs