Black Giant
Jersey Giant
This breed originated in New Jersey in the 1880's when the
Black brothers, John and Thomas, crossed a Black Java, Dark Brahmas, Dark
Cornishes, and Black Langshans. The white variety was developed from white
spotted varieties of these same breeds, and they are actually born gray. There
is a blue variety of the Jersey Giant that was perfected over sixty years of
dedicated breeding of these birds. It has been reported that there are also a
splash, barred and silver varieties.
As the name implies these are larger than normal size
chickens. And are the largest of all chicken breeds. A Jersey Giant rooster
that is castrated can grow to an amazing 20 pounds. The hens are fairly good
layers of extra-large brown eggs. They have a long laying season but are slow
to mature and have a slow poor feed-to- meat conversion, meaning it takes too
long for them to grow to a desirable size for meat, while young birds. This
explains why they are not popular as commercial broilers. They are cold hardy
and have calm dispositions. Hens will go broody and make excellent mothers.
The average size of these giants is roosters can reach 13
pounds and hens 10 pounds. Mostly solid Black feathers, sometimes with a tint
of blue on their ruff and back. Red comb with six points, and bright red
waddles. These birds are mostly known for their jumbo size but loved for their
disposition as well.
