Jersey Giant Chickens | Ultimate Guide

Jersey Giant chickens live up to their name. Developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s as an alternative to turkeys, they are one of the largest chicken breeds in the world. Despite their size, Jersey Giants are gentle, patient, & easygoing, earning a reputation as true “gentle giants” of the chicken yard.

They grow more slowly than modern meat hybrids but reward keepers with a combination of impressive size, steady brown eggs, & calm temperaments. Black Jersey Giants are the classic variety, with White & Blue Jersey Giants also recognized & gaining interest with backyard keepers & breeders.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about Jersey Giant chickens: appearance, history, where to buy them, egg laying, health & care, temperament, feeding, coop size, pros & cons, & FAQs so you can decide if these big, mellow birds belong in your flock.

Quick Chick(en) Facts

Origin	United States (New Jersey)
Colors	Black (classic), White, Blue Jersey Giant
Weight	Hens: ~10–11 lb & Roosters: ~13–15 lb
Lifespan	5–8 years
Rate of Lay/yr	~150–200 eggs; moderate layers
Egg Size	Large
Egg Color	Brown
Heat Hardy	Moderate; can overheat without shade
Cold Hardy	Good; heavy bodies handle cold well
Broodiness	Low to Moderate; varies by line
Disease Susceptibility	Watch legs, joints & foot health in heavy birds
Temperament	Calm, gentle, slow moving
Beginner Friendly	Yes, with adequate space

 

 

Quick Jump

 

Chapter 1: Appearance of Jersey Giant Chickens

Jersey Giant chickens are impressive at first glance. They have long, deep bodies, broad backs, & heavy frames carried on strong, sturdy legs. Their overall shape is rectangular & substantial, with plenty of width through the shoulders & breast. Despite that size, they move with slow, steady confidence rather than clumsiness.

Their combs are single & upright, their eyes bright, & their tails are relatively moderate in height compared to some more upright breeds. They truly look like scaled down, gentle turkeys sharing space with your regular chickens.

Size

Size is the defining feature of Jersey Giants. Roosters often reach 13–15 lb & hens around 10–11 lb when fully mature. They grow more slowly than many modern meat hybrids, taking a year or more to really fill out. That slower growth, however, comes with a sturdy frame, good bone, & a balanced, strong body that functions well as a dual purpose bird.

Colors & Varieties

The original Jersey Giants were Black, with rich black plumage and a green sheen in the sunlight. White Jersey Giants were developed later, followed by Blue Jersey Giants produced from Black × White combinations and selective breeding. Black Jersey Giants remain the most common, but White & Blue lines have gained popularity with backyard keepers & show breeders.

All color varieties share the same large, rectangular body type. Blue Jersey Giants often show soft slate blue feathering, while Whites have clean, bright plumage that makes their size even more striking in the yard.

 

Chapter 2: History of Jersey Giant Chickens

Jersey Giants were developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s by brothers John and Thomas Black. Their goal was ambitious: create a chicken large enough to rival Thanksgiving turkeys as a table bird. They used large breeds such as Black Javas, Black Langshans, & Dark Brahmas in their breeding program, slowly shaping a new, massive American breed.

Although Jersey Giants never fully replaced turkeys, they became valued as one of the largest chicken breeds in the world. Over time, Black, White, & Blue Jersey Giants were standardized. While the industrial meat industry moved to faster growing broilers, Jersey Giants found a niche with small farms & backyard keepers who appreciate their history, size, & gentle nature.

 

Chapter 3: Jersey Giant Chickens for Sale

Jersey Giants are available from many hatcheries, especially in Black & sometimes White varieties. Blue Jersey Giants are more often found through specialty breeders or select hatcheries. Chick season typically runs from late winter through early summer, with the widest selection available in spring.

Hatchery Jersey Giants generally grow large, but breeder lines often emphasize truer body type, weight, & feather quality. If size and adherence to the American Poultry Association standard matter to you, consider sourcing from a dedicated Jersey Giant breeder. For most backyard keepers, hatchery birds are friendly, hardy, & impressive enough to live up to the “giant” name.

 

Chapter 4: Jersey Giant Egg Laying

Jersey Giant hens are moderate layers of large brown eggs, usually producing around 150–200 eggs per year. They are not competition for specialized hybrid layers, but they provide a steady supply of eggs while also contributing a large carcass if you raise birds for meat. Their eggs are good sized, with sturdy shells when nutrition is balanced.

Because they grow slowly, Jersey Giants may come into lay a bit later than lighter breeds. Patience pays off: once mature, they settle into a dependable laying rhythm, especially in their prime years.

Broodiness in Jersey Giants ranges from low to moderate. Some hens will go broody and make solid, attentive mothers, more than capable of covering a larger clutch thanks to their size. For small farms, this can be an asset in a dual purpose program: hens that raise their own chicks while still contributing decent egg numbers.

If you want maximum egg production, you may prefer to collect eggs regularly & discourage broodiness. If you are interested in home raised meat or replacement birds, a broody Jersey Giant hen can be very helpful.

 

Chapter 5: Jersey Giant Health Issues & Care

Jersey Giants are hardy birds, but their large size brings specific care considerations. Their legs, joints, & feet work hard to support their weight, so good footing is crucial. Avoid slick surfaces & hard landings from high roosts to help prevent leg strain and foot problems like bumblefoot. Because they grow slowly, they also benefit from consistent nutrition over time rather than a heavy push with very high calorie feeds.

Overall, they are less prone to extreme growth related issues than commercial broilers, but attentive management will help these big birds stay comfortable & mobile well into adulthood.

Health Issues

Like all chickens, Jersey Giants can be affected by lice & mites. Their feather coverage is dense enough to hide parasites, especially around the vent, under the wings, and along the belly. Regular checks & access to dust baths help keep parasites under control. Because they are slower, heavier birds, they may spend more time resting on the ground, making clean, dry bedding extra important.

Climate Tips

Jersey Giants handle cold weather well thanks to their heavy bodies & good feathering. As always, a dry, draft free but well ventilated coop is key. Their single combs can still be at risk of frostbite in very cold climates, so coop dryness is more important than sealing everything up. In hot climates, their size becomes a disadvantage: they can overheat faster than lighter breeds. Provide ample shade, multiple water sources, & airflow, and avoid overcrowding during summer.

 

Chapter 6: Jersey Giant Temperament

Jersey Giants are often described as “gentle giants.” Hens are calm, patient, & slow moving, making them excellent birds for families & first time keepers. They are generally friendly, especially if raised with regular handling, & many will tolerate being picked up or quietly sit near their people during yard time.

In mixed flocks, their size usually places them high in the pecking order, but they rarely need to throw their weight around. Their steady nature often helps keep the flock calmer overall.

Temperament

Jersey Giant roosters, when well bred, are impressive but not typically aggressive. Their size alone can discourage squabbles with other roosters, and many keepers find them to be watchful but level headed guardians. As always, temperament varies by individual, & any rooster showing human aggression should not be kept in a family flock. With good breeding & handling, Jersey Giant roosters can be some of the more manageable large males in the chicken world.

 

Chapter 7: Feeding Jersey Giant

Jersey Giant chicks should start on a 20–21% chick starter to support strong frame & muscle development. Because they grow more slowly than many meat hybrids, you can keep them on starter or a grower ration for a bit longer—often until 10–12 weeks—before transitioning to a standard grower if you’re raising them for meat or a 16% layer feed once hens near laying age.

They eat more than smaller breeds due to their size, so plan feed storage & budget accordingly. Allowing them to forage in a yard or pasture can help offset some feed costs & provide mental stimulation. Avoid overdoing treats & scratch, as extra weight can stress their joints.

 

Chapter 8: Coop & Run Size for Jersey Giant

Jersey Giants need more room than an average sized chicken. Aim for at least 5–6 square feet per bird inside the coop if possible & 15+ square feet per bird in the run. Extra space helps them move comfortably, stretch those long legs, & avoid trampling smaller flockmates. Their size also means pop doors and nest boxes should be roomy enough for easy access.

Roosts should be set low to medium height—around 12–18 inches—and made wide enough to support their large feet. Lower roosts reduce the impact on their joints when they hop down. Standard 12x12 inch nest boxes work, but some keepers prefer slightly larger boxes for these big birds.

 

Chapter 9: Pros & Cons of Jersey Giant Chickens

Jersey Giant chickens offer a unique combination of size, gentleness, and dual purpose utility. They are fantastic conversation pieces in the backyard, solid meat birds for small farms, & moderate brown egg layers. Their main drawbacks are their higher feed needs, slower growth compared to commercial broilers, and potential for leg or heat stress if not managed thoughtfully.

Pros	Cons
One of the largest chicken breeds	Eat more feed than smaller breeds
Gentle, calm “gentle giants” temperament	Slower growth than meat hybrids
Decent layers of large brown eggs	Need more coop & run space
Cold hardy with proper housing	Can overheat in hot, crowded setups
Heritage American breed with Black, White & Blue varieties	Heavier weight increases leg & joint stress if perches are too high

 

Chapter 10: Jersey Giant FAQs

Are Jersey Giants good layers?
They are moderate layers, usually producing around 150–200 large brown eggs per year. They are best viewed as a dual purpose breed rather than a high production layer.

How big do Jersey Giants get?
Hens often reach 10–11 lb, & roosters can reach 13–15 lb or more when fully mature, making them one of the largest chicken breeds.

Are Jersey Giants friendly?
Yes. They are typically calm, gentle birds that do well with children and mixed flocks when given enough space.

Are Jersey Giants good meat birds?
Yes, especially for small farms and homesteads that value flavor and size over rapid growth. They take longer to reach full size than commercial broilers but produce a substantial carcass.

Do Jersey Giants need special housing?
They mainly need extra space, sturdy low roosts, and good ventilation. Their size means they benefit from wider perches, larger doorways, and more floor and run area per bird.

Sources

APA Standard of Perfection – Jersey Giant.
Historical accounts of the Black brothers’ breeding program in New Jersey.
Poultry extension publications on large & dual purpose breeds.
Small farm & breeder observations on Jersey Giant growth, temperament & care.