Jersey Giant Chickens
The booklet above covers some general questions about the Jersey Giant, the Jersey Giant Standard, common disqualifications, and breeding blue, black and white Jersey Giants.
*Please note this is based off of the 2005 Standard so this is likely out of date. Jersey Giant ReSources The above files were information gathered from the National Jersey Giant Club, I hope to one day see a meet.
National Jersey Giant Club http://nationaljerseygiantclub.com/index.cfm/pageid/22 Robert L. Vaughn Jersey Giant Newsletter, National Secretary Kenneth Rasmussen, Jersey Giant Newsletter Robert O. Hawes |
Jersey Giant Breed Overview Jersey Giants are a large breed of chicken shown in the American
Class with cocks according to the standard weighing up to 13 lbs. [pounds]. They come in three main colors, Black, White and Blue with splashes as well. Being a larger breed they my need more room, depending on their housing a 4 square feet is recommended. Jersey Giants take a long time to mature [being completely at 18-24 months] so it's important to start them early, especially if you plan on showing. The hens will start to lay eggs around 6 months of age and they are better layers then some heavier breeds. Smaller eggs mean young hens while big eggs mean older hens. Jersey Giants were valued as meat birds and if they were to mature faster may have rivaled the turkey. They are slow to mature because they build a frame before the meat. This breed is very calm [as a rule of thumb] and are referred to as the "gentle giants". Being a pleasure to raise, Jersey Giant hens make good mothers and they are good foragers. Being a larger breed they my need more room, depending on their housing a 4 square feet is recommended for each bird. With their larger size larger and lower nest boxes [18 by 18 inches and one per every four hens] and perches may be needed with larger perching space needed per bird. They tolerate the cold well except in really cold temperatures. A good ratio of cocks to hens is 1 rooster to six hens according to an article however each bird is different. The eggs may take an extra day or two to hatch, due to their size. |