Black Jersey Giant Chicken
Breed Facts
- Poultry Show Class: American Class
- Weights: Hen—-10 lbs Rooster——13 lbs
Pullet—-8 lbs Cockerel—–11 lbs - Purpose and Type: Primary production, Egg Laying & Pet/Secondary meat source
- Egg Shell Color: Brown
- Egg Production: 180-260 eggs per year (estimates only, see FAQ)
- Egg Size: Large
- Temperament: Docile
- Gender Accuracy: 80-85%
- Fertility Percentage: 65-80%
- Broody: Setter
- Mating Ratio: 9 Females to 1 Male
- Roost Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Country of Origin: United States, New Jersey
- APA: Yes, Recognized by the Standard of Perfection in 1922
- TLC: Recovering Status, Considered a sustainable heritage chicken breed.
- Breeder Farm Source: Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing our bloodline/strain of production type (non exhibition type) Black Jersey Giant since 1979.
Black Jersey Giant Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Black Jersey Giant chicken is the heavyweight of the backyard flock. If you want a big, calm bird with brown eggs, meat value, and a little “wow” factor, this breed lives up to its name.
Jersey Giants began in Burlington County, New Jersey, between 1870 and 1890. John and Thomas Black developed the breed near Jobstown with one goal in mind: create a large table bird that could compete with turkey for meat. The Livestock Conservancy notes that Black Javas, Black Langshans, and Dark Brahmas helped shape the breed.
These birds take time to grow. They are slower to mature than many production breeds, and they do not convert feed to weight as efficiently as commercial broilers. However, if you are patient, they eventually become one of the largest dual-purpose chickens you can raise.
Appearance and Characteristics
Black Jersey Giants have rich black feathering with a beautiful green sheen in the sunlight. As adults, they have dark legs and toes that may look willow colored to nearly black, along with a sturdy body and serious flock presence.
Do not worry if young birds show some white feathers during their first and second feathering stages. That can happen. By about 6 months of age, they should feather out with solid black plumage.
Their size is the big draw. The Livestock Conservancy lists mature roosters at about 13–15 pounds and hens at about 10–11 pounds, with the black variety usually a little heavier than the white variety. Cackle’s own bloodline notes males can grow to about 11–14 pounds.
Black Jersey Giant vs Black Australorp: Which Should You Choose?
Black Jersey Giants and Black Australorp chickens can look similar at first. Both have black feathers, red combs, red earlobes, black beaks, and dark eyes. Both can also forage well and may go broody. Cackle’s comparison article explains these similarities clearly.
Choose the Black Jersey Giant if you want the bigger bird with more meat value and a slower, heavier growth pattern. Choose the Black Australorp if you want a calmer black chicken known more for egg production and easier backyard handling.
In simple terms, Jersey Giants are about size and substance. Australorps are usually the better choice when egg production matters more than maximum body size.
Production Type vs Show Type Jersey Giants
This is a production-line Black Jersey Giant, not a show-line bird. That means the focus is practical backyard and homestead use rather than exhibition judging.
For most flock owners, that makes sense. You get a large, useful bird that can lay brown eggs and eventually provide meat value.
Show lines focus more on exact Standard of Perfection traits, such as body shape, color, leg color, and exhibition quality. If you want a backyard giant with everyday usefulness, the production line is the better fit.
Egg Production and Utility
Black Jersey Giants are dual-purpose chickens. Hens lay brown eggs and can be fairly good layers for such a large breed. Still, they are not high-speed egg machines like Leghorns or production hybrids.
Their real strength is size. With enough time, the cockerels grow into big meat birds. That said, they grow slowly and eat more feed along the way, which is why they never became a modern commercial broiler. For today’s backyard keeper, that slower growth is less of a problem if you value heritage type, size, and calm temperament.
If you enjoy hatching projects, Black Jersey Giant Hatching Eggs may be available seasonally. Cackle lists these hatching eggs as seasonal and generally shipped from mid-February through early June when available.
Temperament and Suitability
Black Jersey Giants are usually calm, mellow, and steady. Their size can make them look intimidating, but many keepers find them gentle and easy to enjoy.
Because they grow so large, they need room. Give them a sturdy coop, wide roosts, strong perches, and enough floor space to move comfortably. Low to moderate roost height is a good idea so heavy birds do not injure their legs jumping down.
They can do well in a backyard or homestead flock when you manage their size properly. Good feed, clean water, dry bedding, shade, predator protection, and enough space matter even more with a giant breed.
Is the Black Jersey Giant Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Black Jersey Giants if you want:
A very large dual-purpose chicken
A brown egg layer
A calm, mellow flock bird
A black chicken with green sheen
A heritage American breed
A bird with strong meat value
A slower-growing chicken for patient keepers
A production-line giant from Cackle Hatchery®
A hatching egg option when available
Overall, this is a good choice if you want a big, impressive chicken and do not mind waiting longer for maturity. If you need fast meat production or the best feed efficiency, choose a commercial meat bird instead. But if you want a calm heritage giant with size, beauty, and usefulness, the Black Jersey Giant is hard to beat.
If you are still comparing breeds, the Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you sort birds by size, purpose, egg color, and flock needs.
Breed History and Preservation
John and Thomas Black developed the Jersey Giant in New Jersey during the late 1800s. They wanted a large market chicken for the New York and Philadelphia trade, where buyers wanted heavy roasting birds. The National Jersey Giant Club also ties the breed’s early work to Burlington County near Jobstown.
The Black Jersey Giant entered the American Standard of Perfection in 1922. White and Blue varieties came later. The black variety remains the original color, and Cackle’s article on black chicken breeds notes that white, blue, and splash Jersey Giants came from sports of the black variety.
Today, Jersey Giants still carry heritage value. They are not common commercial birds because they grow slowly and require more feed than modern broilers. Even so, they remain a favorite for keepers who appreciate big, calm, old-fashioned poultry.
Recognition and Availability
The American Poultry Association recognizes Jersey Giants in the American class. The Black variety entered the Standard in 1922.
You can choose Black Jersey Giant chicks when they are in season. If you prefer hatching your own, Black Jersey Giant Hatching Eggs may be available at limited times of the year.
Before you plan your order, check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like Black Jersey Giants, you may also want to compare Black Australorp chickens, Dark Brahmas, Light Brahmas, and other brown egg laying chickens.
For more help telling two large black breeds apart, read Chicken Breed Spotlight: Australorp or Black Jersey Giant. You can also browse hatching eggs for sale if you want to plan an incubator project.
FAQ: Black Jersey Giant Chicken
What is a Black Jersey Giant chicken?
A Black Jersey Giant chicken is a very large American dual-purpose breed known for black feathers with green sheen, brown eggs, calm temperament, and strong meat value.
Where did Black Jersey Giants originate?
They originated in Burlington County, New Jersey, near Jobstown. John and Thomas Black developed the breed between 1870 and 1890.
When did the APA recognize Black Jersey Giants?
The American Poultry Association admitted the Black Jersey Giant to the Standard of Perfection in 1922.
Are Black Jersey Giants good egg layers?
They can be fairly good brown egg layers, especially for such a large breed. However, they are not high-production egg birds. Actual laying depends on age, daylight, feed, weather, housing, and care.
What color eggs do Black Jersey Giants lay?
They lay brown eggs.
Are Black Jersey Giants good for meat?
Yes. They were developed as large meat birds and remain one of the best heritage options if you want size and table value. They grow slowly, though, so they are not as feed-efficient as commercial broilers.
How big do Black Jersey Giants get?
The Livestock Conservancy lists mature roosters at about 13–15 pounds and hens at about 10–11 pounds. Cackle’s bloodline notes males may reach about 11–14 pounds.
Are Black Jersey Giants slow to mature?
Yes. They grow more slowly than many breeds, but they eventually surpass most chickens in weight and size.
Are Black Jersey Giants friendly?
Yes. They are usually calm, mellow, and manageable. Their large size means they still need enough space and sturdy housing.
Are Black Jersey Giants good for beginners?
They can be good for beginners who have enough room and understand that giant breeds take longer to mature. They need good feed, dry housing, clean water, predator protection, and strong roosts.
Do young Black Jersey Giants have white feathers?
Some young birds may show white feathers during their first and second feathering stages. By about 6 months, they should have solid black adult plumage.
What is the difference between a Black Jersey Giant and a Black Australorp?
Both are black chickens with some similar features. Jersey Giants are larger and slower growing, with more meat value. Australorps are generally better known for egg production. Cackle’s Australorp or Black Jersey Giant article explains the comparison in more detail.
Are Black Jersey Giants heritage chickens?
Yes. They are a historic American breed developed in New Jersey in the late 1800s.
Can I order Black Jersey Giant hatching eggs?
Yes. Black Jersey Giant Hatching Eggs may be available seasonally.
Where can I check chick availability?
Check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Order from Cackle Hatchery
Choose Black Jersey Giant Chicken from cackle hatchery. Review the product information above for current options, availability and ordering details.
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