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Jersey Giant Chicken Breed Info + Where to Buy

Modified: Feb 28, 2023 by Phil · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The Jersey Giant is an extra large chicken that was bred to be a high-producing meat bird. While their massive size means that they do produce a lot of meat, they tend to grow more slowly than other production breeds due to their poor feed-to-meat conversion.

A Jersey Giant Chicken flock in a backyard.

When it comes to eggs, Jersey Giant hens are surprisingly productive. They lay between 150-200 eggs per year, which is more than most heavy-weight breeds. Hens may or may not go broody. If they do, their size can cause them to crush their eggs.

Jump to:
  • How to Buy Online Jersey Giants
  • Jersey Giant Chicken Breed Quick Info
  • Origins of the Jersey Giant Chicken
  • Some Things to Know About the Jersey Giant Chicken
  • How Easy is it to Keep Jersey Giant Chickens?
  • Special Care and Considerations for Jersey Giant Chickens

How to Buy Online Jersey Giants

Cackle hatchery
The Best Hatchery to order from: Read reviews here.

Black Jersey Giants As low as: $2.75 - Read reviews

White Jersey Giants As low as: $2.75 - Read reviews

Jersey Giant Chicken Breed Quick Info

Jersey Giant Chicken Description

Jersey Giant Type/Size:Standard
Feather Color:Black
Leg Type:Clean
Leg Color:Black
Skin Color:Yellow
Jersey Giant Ease of Raising/Keeping:Medium
Jersey Giant Special Care Needs:Yes
Is the Jersey Giant breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken?Rare, “watch” status

Jersey Giant Use

MeatYes
EggsYes
Dual PurposeYes
Jersey Giant Temperament:Docile, calm
Jersey Giant Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Jersey Giant Egg Production

Egg ColorBrown
Egg SizeLarge
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year150-200
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksMedium

Jersey Giant Meat Production

Dressed Weight Male9 lbs.
Dressed Weight Female7 lbs.

Jersey Giant Climate Tolerance

HeatModerate
ColdExcellent

Jersey Giant Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size6 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying8 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size8 Months

Jersey Giant Size at Maturity

Male13 lbs.
Female10 lbs.

Origins of the Jersey Giant Chicken

A beautiful Jersey Giant Chicken in a backyard.
Image by Sonja from Pixabay

This jumbo-sized breed was developed in the United States in Burlington County, New Jersey, during the late 1800s. John and Thomas Black are credited with crossbreeding several Asiatic breeds to create a meat bird that had the potential to replace a turkey.

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They were successful in creating one of the largest breeds in the United States that are highly producing when it comes to both eggs and meat. One bird is able to easily feed a family of four.

Some Things to Know About the Jersey Giant Chicken

A big tall Jersey Giant rooster near a wooden fence.

The Jersey Giant is characterized by its massive size. Roosters will often be 13 lbs at maturity, while hens will mature to be a whopping 10 lbs. Their tall, broad frame means that they are excellent meat birds and produce a large carcass.

Their feathering is black with a beautiful green iridescent sheen. They have a single red comb and black legs and feet. Their striking size and appearance make them popular exhibition birds. There are three varieties recognized by the American Poultry Association: black, white, and blue.

How Easy is it to Keep Jersey Giant Chickens?

A Jersey Giant rooster and two hens in a chicken coop.

Jersey Giants are moderately easy to care for. They are a good breed for those who have experience caring for chickens, as there are a few precautions that should be taken when caring for them (these are covered in the next section).

Jersey Giant hens are cold hardy, and often continue to lay eggs during the winter months. They don’t do as well in the heat, though. Be sure to provide plenty of shade and fresh water for these chickens if you live in a warmer climate.

Special Care and Considerations for Jersey Giant Chickens

Jersey Giants are generally calm and docile chickens. They love people and enjoy being around them. They get along well with other chicken breeds, too.

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If you’re considering adding these friendly giants to your flock, make sure your coop is big enough for them to fit comfortably in. Because of their size, they need bigger nesting boxes and longer and lower roosting bars.

They are also known to be noisy. This may be a concern if you live in an urban area or close to neighbors.

Jersey Giant Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

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