Jersey Giant Chicken farming has become extremely popular in many parts of the world. This dual-purpose chicken is raised to provide both eggs and meat and is said to produce high-quality meat and eggs as well. These hens lay very large eggs, and the meat production is excellent and quite in demand in most areas. The colors of this breed are black, blue, and white, with the black Jersey Giant Chicken coming in at about a pound heavier than the average white. You can read about this breed’s facts, uses, origins, and characteristics below.
Quick Facts about Jersey Giant Chicken
Breed Name: Jersey Giant
Place of Origin: New Jersey
Uses: Dual Purpose (Meat and Eggs)
Rooster (Male) Size: 13 to 15 pounds
Hen (Female) Size: Around 11 pounds
Color: Black, Blue, White
Lifespan: 6 to 7 years
Climate Tolerance: Great, All Climates, Cold Hardy
Care Level: Easy
Production: Excellent
Jersey Giant Chicken Origins The Jersey Giant Chicken originated in the United States in New Jersey. It’s the largest chicken in the United States and was bred by Thomas and John Black in the 19th century. The breed was intended to replace the turkey and was bred to be used for meat production. The Jersey Giant Chicken was produced by using Dark Brahmas, Black Javas, and Black Langshans. The chicken was originally called the Jersey Black Giant. You can also find a bantam version of this chicken if you choose to do so as well. Jersey Giant Chicken Characteristics This chicken is the largest chicken in the American Class that is dual-purpose, meaning it’s used for egg and meat production. When compared to other heavy breeds, the Jersey Giant Chicken lays more eggs. The eggs are large and have a light brown color. This breed is also known to be great for laying eggs in the winter months. The hens of the breed are known for going broody, and when compared to the modern brooders of today, the Jersey Giant Chicken is said to be a breed that grows slowly. This is why many commercial farms don’t use the Jersey Giant Chicken. The slow-growing and the large amount of food it takes for this breed to grow to its full size isn’t worth it for these commercial farms. Jersey Giants are known for being large and for being gorgeous birds as well. Jersey Giants put out a huge number of large eggs, laying up to 200 eggs yearly. Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk, Shutterstock Uses As previously stated, the Jersey Giant Chicken is used for egg and meat production. However, the breed does have a poor feed-to-weight conversion ratio, which makes many commercial farms leery of using them for egg production. The hens lay two to four eggs per week, which evens out of around 150 to 200 ages laid yearly. So if you have more than one hen, you’ll be getting quite a bit of eggs on a yearly basis. The meat and eggs from the Jersey Giant Chicken are also said to be excellent. Appearance & Varieties There are three different color varieties to choose from when it comes to the Jersey Giant Chicken. These varieties are black, white, and blue. These varieties are recognized by the American Poultry Association because it is considered a sex-linked chicken. The black Jersey Giant Chicken was recognized in 1922. This breed has black shanks, four toes, and its legs are clean. The white Jersey Giant Chicken was recognized in 1947. This breed has four toes, clean legs, and willow shanks that are dark in appearance. The blue Jersey Giant Chicken didn’t make an appearance or become recognized until 2003. This breed also has four toes, clean legs, and their shanks are willow colored. It takes about a year for these breeds to start to fill out, meaning they are slow growers. They stand about two feet tall and can be described as statuesque. Image Credit: Ammatar,Shutterstock Population/Distribution/Habitat The Jersey Giant Chicken is raised in the United States and can tolerate any climate, meaning you don’t have to have a heat lamp in your coop in the winter months. In addition, the bird is a free ranger, meaning they find their own food easily. It is best for them to have room to run and forage, however, so it’s best not to pen them up in a small backyard. The population of this breed is quite significant in the United States. Are Jersey Giant Chickens Good for Small-Scale Farming? If you have room for them to free-range and roam about your yard, then Jersey Giant Chickens are good for small-scale farming. However, if you’re thinking of going commercial with your farming, then it’s important to note that these chickens grow slowly and might not be the right choice for your needs. However, if you’re looking for chickens to feed your family, then this is the right breed for you. Final Thoughts This concludes our look at the Jersey Giant Chicken. You now know a few facts, uses, origins, and characteristics of this gorgeous breed of chicken. If you’re searching for a dual-purpose chicken to raise and feed your family, then you may have found the right one with this breed. See also:
Sicilian Buttercup Chicken Ixworth Chicken Olive Egger Chickens
Featured Image Credit: Valeryna,Pixabay
Jersey Giant Chicken farming has become extremely popular in many parts of the world. This dual-purpose chicken is raised to provide both eggs and meat and is said to produce high-quality meat and eggs as well.
These hens lay very large eggs, and the meat production is excellent and quite in demand in most areas. The colors of this breed are black, blue, and white, with the black Jersey Giant Chicken coming in at about a pound heavier than the average white. You can read about this breed’s facts, uses, origins, and characteristics below.
Quick Facts about Jersey Giant Chicken
Breed Name: Jersey Giant
Place of Origin: New Jersey
Uses: Dual Purpose (Meat and Eggs)
Rooster (Male) Size: 13 to 15 pounds
Hen (Female) Size: Around 11 pounds
Color: Black, Blue, White
Lifespan: 6 to 7 years
Climate Tolerance: Great, All Climates, Cold Hardy
Care Level: Easy
Production: Excellent
Jersey Giant Chicken Origins
The Jersey Giant Chicken originated in the United States in New Jersey. It’s the largest chicken in the United States and was bred by Thomas and John Black in the 19th century.
The breed was intended to replace the turkey and was bred to be used for meat production. The Jersey Giant Chicken was produced by using Dark Brahmas, Black Javas, and Black Langshans. The chicken was originally called the Jersey Black Giant. You can also find a bantam version of this chicken if you choose to do so as well.
Jersey Giant Chicken Characteristics
This chicken is the largest chicken in the American Class that is dual-purpose, meaning it’s used for egg and meat production. When compared to other heavy breeds, the Jersey Giant Chicken lays more eggs. The eggs are large and have a light brown color. This breed is also known to be great for laying eggs in the winter months.
The hens of the breed are known for going broody, and when compared to the modern brooders of today, the Jersey Giant Chicken is said to be a breed that grows slowly. This is why many commercial farms don’t use the Jersey Giant Chicken. The slow-growing and the large amount of food it takes for this breed to grow to its full size isn’t worth it for these commercial farms.
Jersey Giants are known for being large and for being gorgeous birds as well. Jersey Giants put out a huge number of large eggs, laying up to 200 eggs yearly.
Uses
As previously stated, the Jersey Giant Chicken is used for egg and meat production. However, the breed does have a poor feed-to-weight conversion ratio, which makes many commercial farms leery of using them for egg production.
The hens lay two to four eggs per week, which evens out of around 150 to 200 ages laid yearly. So if you have more than one hen, you’ll be getting quite a bit of eggs on a yearly basis.
The meat and eggs from the Jersey Giant Chicken are also said to be excellent.
Appearance & Varieties
There are three different color varieties to choose from when it comes to the Jersey Giant Chicken. These varieties are black, white, and blue. These varieties are recognized by the American Poultry Association because it is considered a sex-linked chicken.
The black Jersey Giant Chicken was recognized in 1922. This breed has black shanks, four toes, and its legs are clean.
The white Jersey Giant Chicken was recognized in 1947. This breed has four toes, clean legs, and willow shanks that are dark in appearance.
The blue Jersey Giant Chicken didn’t make an appearance or become recognized until 2003. This breed also has four toes, clean legs, and their shanks are willow colored.
It takes about a year for these breeds to start to fill out, meaning they are slow growers. They stand about two feet tall and can be described as statuesque.
Population/Distribution/Habitat
The Jersey Giant Chicken is raised in the United States and can tolerate any climate, meaning you don’t have to have a heat lamp in your coop in the winter months. In addition, the bird is a free ranger, meaning they find their own food easily.
It is best for them to have room to run and forage, however, so it’s best not to pen them up in a small backyard. The population of this breed is quite significant in the United States.
Are Jersey Giant Chickens Good for Small-Scale Farming?
If you have room for them to free-range and roam about your yard, then Jersey Giant Chickens are good for small-scale farming. However, if you’re thinking of going commercial with your farming, then it’s important to note that these chickens grow slowly and might not be the right choice for your needs.
However, if you’re looking for chickens to feed your family, then this is the right breed for you.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our look at the Jersey Giant Chicken. You now know a few facts, uses, origins, and characteristics of this gorgeous breed of chicken. If you’re searching for a dual-purpose chicken to raise and feed your family, then you may have found the right one with this breed.
See also:
- Sicilian Buttercup Chicken
- Ixworth Chicken
- Olive Egger Chickens
Featured Image Credit: Valeryna,Pixabay
