Jersey Giant

I hatched my Black Jersey Giant in December 2009. She was the only one to hatch out of a shipped clutch of 6 eggs, there was another that died in shell. She arrived right on time, did not need the extra two days which is typical for giant breeds.Before she hatched out she started cheeping in shell and I would answer back. We would have little conversations back and forth and perhaps that is why she is so bonded with me. She has a very loud egg song and growl even though JGs were supposed to be pretty quiet...not the case with her She lays large eggs about 4-5 times a week and I am more than happy with that. She is a very peaceful JG, in fact now she is the one that I protect from my BO and EE hens!
Even though she is a runty size for a JG hen (she weights about 7 #), my girl eats heartily and always loves to get as many treats as possible. That could be a con for keeping JGs, they LOVE to eat!!
I would recommend JGs as a starter bird for a first time chicken keeper. They are friendly, extra large, curious and are decent layers. If my Parsley is a "typical" JG hen, then I am very content/happy to concentrate on this one line for the rest of my chicken keeping days.

They are beautiful calm happy birds.
You do need to size up your roosts and nesting boxes and doors....if you consider that a con.

I have them with other breeds and they are just happy as can be!

I love these birds.

I love this bird. Very friendly and hearty.

These chickens are very nice to humans and are good layers. You also get huge eggs out of them since their a big breed. They are so big though they are very hard to carry for long. Also if you have chickens smaller than them they can be mean to those chickens. It is good just to have a flock of them by themselves away from your other chickens.

Bought the Black Giants from Tractor Supply, to help with our Australorp chick we only had on born. but then we found out were getting one chick a day. the chicks look just like australorps.

Large gentile breed.
Nice sized eggs brown eggs.
9 months old now and just starting to lay steady.

We had Black Jersey Giants. One became our flock rooster for a couple of years. He was huge and beautiful, with solid black eyes, iridescent plumage, and a very upright "proper" stance. We could pick him up and carry him around, and he wouldn't fuss, yet we have had him jump on a hawk that had one of his hens pinned down. Harvey was our favorite chicken ever, and was only let go because so many in the flock were his offspring. Harvey moved to a nearby farm where he is still going strong, despite being 5 years old!

Very large birds that grow a bit more slowly than the other heavy fowl. Extremely docile. Hens did go broody for us some, and laid reasonably well year round. Eggs were usually large and x-lrge. They were quiet birds for the most part, and not aggressive with other members in the flock. Easy to make these into pets. They faired well in free range life, foraging well and not being plagued with any health issues. Seemed undisturbed by heat and cold. The docile temperament is evident even in crossbred offspring.

Crossbred chicks from Jersey Giant crosses have grown very fast and reached processing weights much faster than did the purebred. Carcass of the purebred is acceptable, and they picked surprisingly clean for a black-feathered breed.

A good homestead bird, but not a steadfast producer like the plymouth rock or rhode island red.

I have BJG's. They are nice chickens, lay a nice brown egg and I have one who was successful at hatching last fall. They are very docile and loving. Love 'em!

Very hardy and good foragers.

I absolutley love Giants! I currently have One Black rooster (Jersey Boy), and two Black hens (Snookie and Deena) and they are the prettiest birds ever! If you're looking for big, beautiful birds, these are the ones to go with! Living in Minnesota is tough on many breeds, but mine have withstood -30 nights, wonderful! The only thing that I don't like is that they take for ever to fully mature. I can't wait to get more this spring, whites and more blacks!

Big sweeties!

I have seven Jersey Giants, 1 rooster and 6 hens. I love these birds. They are very cold hardy! We live where the temps dip to -60F at times. This is my first time having chickens and this was a great breed to start with. I haven't had any problems with them, they are all very healthy and friendly. We also have four chanteclers, purchased at the same time and they all get along real well.

Love this breed. I have a pair. My hen is a sweetheart. She's very gentle and nests in my arms when I hold her. My rooster is very protective of his hens and lets all of us pick him up once in a while. He'll be mushy for a bit, then go back to doing his job.

Wonderful breed, highly recommended.

Jersey Giants have finally received a smaller counterpart. I guess they arn't as big now as they used to be, well the Bantams.

I bought a Jersey giant pullet at a sale..Brought her home and fell in love with her.,. yes her breed grows slowly then other breeds, but I didnt mind, This breed is huge, They lay a big brown egg and hardy during winter. they get along with any breed,

These were among my first chicks. They, along with the red stars have been the most consistent layers of the 19 assorted hens we have. Their black feathers have a beautiful greenish sheen in sunlight, and they're enormous compared to the rest of the flock. They are not much for being stroked or handled, but just quietly go about their egg-laying every day. I think they are probably good for eating as well, but I may never know.

The Jersey Giant is very impressive with its large stature and gentle disposition. I love how healthy and resiliant they are, even the chicks are full of spunk from the get go. Their downfall would be they have a very good appetite and you should be prepared to feed them well, especially during the first few months.

I own Jersey's. This is my fifth year now. Very docile and sweetheart chickens. If you're sad they come up to you and look at you. Mine like to be held the football carry, but they're so heavy! My Cockerel is about 11 pounds now My Girl... She's molting.... excuse that!

I hatched my JGs from eggs bought on line from show 1 generation removed from show birds. They were a little flighty as young birds but settled down with time. They also seemed to get picked on in a mixed flock as adolescents, not so as adults. I guess I don't have any who are picked on as adults with so much room etc. Mine never have been overly friendly and we handled them quite a bit. They're not real standoffish, but don't care to be caught either so I just pick em up when they come to eat at feeding time.

I was interested in the breed after reading several people say they laid really large eggs after their first laying cycle. Mine are just starting on their 2nd cycle and the eggs aren't anything to write home about in size, 2-to-2.25 oz. each. I do enjoy having them around, but could care less one way or the other after having had them.