Some Founding Flocks breeds get by on their looks. The Jersey Giant gets by on sheer size. Developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s, it is exactly what the name promises: the biggest chicken most backyard Keepers will ever raise. Part five of our Founding Flocks series belongs to the gentle giant of the American backyard.

Top 3 Takeaways

• Built to be the biggest. Developed in New Jersey specifically to be one of the largest breeds in the country, and it still holds that reputation today.
• Slow and steady. Jersey Giants take about six months to reach full size, longer than most backyard breeds, but the wait produces a bird built to last.
• Gentle despite the size. Despite an imposing frame, Jersey Giants are calm and friendly, easy to handle even for families with kids.

The 7 founding breeds of the American backyard

We are profiling seven breeds as a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Here is the full All-American lineup, with five down and two to go:

• Dominique. America’s oldest breed, traced to roughly 1750. Featured in Part 1. https://flockjourney.com/7-classic-american-chicken-breeds-to-raise-for-americas-250th-birthday/
• Rhode Island Red. The late-1800s layer that parented half the modern hen house. Featured in Part 2. https://flockjourney.com/rhode-island-red-the-all-american-hen-behind-half-your-favorite-layers/
• Barred Plymouth Rock. The black-and-white farm classic, about 250 large brown eggs a year. Featured in Part 3. https://flockjourney.com/america-250-series-part-3-barred-plymouth-rock/
• An American original from New York, known for laced feathers and a cold-friendly rose comb. Featured in Part 4. https://flockjourney.com/founding-flocks-part-4-the-wyandotte/
• Jersey Giant. Born in New Jersey and still one of the largest breeds you can keep. Profiled below.
• New Hampshire. Refined in New England from Rhode Island Red stock for faster growth and dependable laying. Up next.
• Developed in 1940 in the state it is named for. About 260 large brown eggs a year.

Breed of the Week: The Jersey Giant

If the Wyandotte proved an American breed could be beautiful and tough, the Jersey Giant proved one could simply be enormous.

The Jersey Giant was developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s with one goal in mind: build the largest, most impressive dual-purpose chicken the country had seen. More than a century later, it still wears that title. Walk up to a full-grown Jersey Giant next to almost any other backyard breed, and the size difference does the talking.

What makes the Jersey Giant great

Size.  This is the breed’s calling card. A mature Jersey Giant runs about 8 to 9 pounds, among the largest weights of any backyard breed we carry, with a broad, deep-bodied frame that fills out a coop doorway.

Temperament.  For a bird this size, the Jersey Giant is remarkably easy going. It is calm and friendly, which makes it a good fit for families, including ones with kids who want to be around the flock.

Growth.  Jersey Giants are slow maturing, taking about six months to reach full size. That is longer than most breeds on this list, and it is part of the trade for a bird built this substantial.

Eggs.  Expect about 240 large brown eggs a year, a steady, dependable output from a dual-purpose bird that was never bred to be just a layer.

Comb.  A single comb, standard across the Jersey Giant varieties.

One breed, three colors

Hoover’s carries the Jersey Giant in three varieties. All three share the breed’s defining size and gentle temperament, and differ mainly in plumage:

• Black Jersey Giant. The original color the breed is best known for, sharing the same imposing size and calm demeanor as its Blue and White counterparts.
• Blue Jersey Giant. The same large, impressive build in striking blue feathers. Slow maturing at about six months, a moderate layer of about 240 extra-large brown eggs a year, with a mature weight of about 8 to 9 pounds.
• White Jersey Giant. Smooth, pure white plumage over the same broad, muscular frame, laying about 240 large brown eggs a year, with a mature weight running about 6 to 9 pounds.

Where to find Jersey Giants

The Jersey Giant is part of Hoover’s complete selection of backyard breeds. You can browse the full lineup and order at hoovershatchery.com, and you will find the whole Founding Flocks series, plus breed guides for every stage of keeping, on FlockJourney.

Frequently asked questions about the Jersey Giant

How big do Jersey Giants get?  Jersey Giants are one of the largest chicken breeds you can keep. Mature weight runs about 8 to 9 pounds, depending on variety.

How long do Jersey Giants take to mature?  About six months, longer than most backyard breeds.

What color eggs do Jersey Giants lay?  Jersey Giants lay brown eggs.

How many eggs do Jersey Giants lay a year?  About 240 large brown eggs a year, with some variety-to-variety difference in egg size.

Are Jersey Giants good with families and kids?  Yes. Despite their size, Jersey Giants are calm and friendly, and they handle well around families.

Where was the Jersey Giant developed?  The Jersey Giant was developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s and bred to be one of the largest chicken breeds in the country.

A giant worth celebrating

There is something fitting about a breed this ambitious showing up on a list built for America’s 250th. The Jersey Giant was not bred to be just one more farm chicken. It was meant to be the biggest one, and it fits perfectly in your backyard flock.

Coming up next

Next, we head back to New England for the breed built for speed and dependability: the New Hampshire. Until then, a big bird in the backyard is waiting for you. Learn more or add them to your flock now at hoovershatchery.com:

https://www.hoovershatchery.com/black-jersey-giant

https://www.hoovershatchery.com/white-jersey-giant

https://www.hoovershatchery.com/Blue-Jersey-Giant

FlockJourney is brought to you by Hoover’s Hatchery, the nationwide leader in backyard poultry. For more than 80 years, Hoover’s has lived its values of Excellence, Tenacity, Servitude, Humility, and Ingenuity while focused on backyard poultry. From chickens, ducks, and pheasants, to turkeys, geese, guineas, quail, bantams, and rare breeds, Hoover’s has the complete selection and quality genetics Keepers trust. Find Hoover’s chicks at your local farm store or shop online at hoovershatchery.com.