Description
Black Jersey Giant Chicken
Breed History and Origin
The Black Jersey Giant Chicken originated in Burlington County, New Jersey, during the 1880s. The breed was developed as a large meat-producing chicken during a time when poultry producers wanted a bird that could compete with turkey for table meat. The Black Jersey Giant was later admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1922.
Today, the breed is considered a sustainable heritage chicken breed with recovering conservation status. Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its production-type Black Jersey Giant bloodline since 1979, focusing on maintaining size, temperament, and steady egg production while keeping birds practical for backyard and small farm use.
Size, Growth, and Meat Production
The Black Jersey Giant is known as the largest of the dual-purpose chicken breeds. While they grow slower than many modern production breeds and have a lower feed-to-weight conversion ratio, they eventually surpass many breeds in overall body size and meat yield.
Mature hens typically weigh around 10 pounds, while roosters average about 13 pounds, with some males from the Cackle Hatchery® bloodline reaching 11 to 14 pounds. Pullets generally weigh about 8 pounds, and cockerels about 11 pounds.
Because of their slower growth rate, they are not typically used in modern commercial broiler production. However, they remain highly valued in homestead and heritage meat programs.
Egg Production and Performance
Black Jersey Giant hens are considered fairly good laying hens for such a large-bodied breed. They typically produce about 180 to 260 large brown eggs per year, depending on management and environment.
They are classified as a primary production bird that can serve as both an egg layer and secondary meat source.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
Adult Black Jersey Giants have rich black feathering that often shows a green sheen in sunlight, giving the birds a glossy appearance. Both black and white varieties are known for having willow-colored or nearly black legs and toes.
During early growth stages, chicks may show some white feathers during first and second stage feathering. This is normal, and by about 6 months of age, the bird typically develops fully black feathering.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
Black Jersey Giants are generally considered docile and easy to manage, especially for a bird of their size. Their calm nature makes them a good choice for backyard flocks and small farms where larger birds are desired.
Because of their large size, they are less flighty and easier to contain than lighter Mediterranean-type breeds.
Flock Management and Breeding
Black Jersey Giants typically perform best with a breeding ratio of about nine females to one male. Fertility commonly ranges between 65 and 80 percent, with chick gender accuracy typically falling between 80 and 85 percent when professionally sexed.
They prefer roost heights between two and four feet, which is typical for heavier breeds. Many hens will go broody and can make good mothers.
Availability and Additional Resources
Cackle Hatchery® offers the production-type Black Jersey Giant and does not currently offer an exhibition line of this breed.
To learn more about how this breed compares to similar black-feathered production birds, check out our blog article:
Chicken Breed Spotlight: Australorp or Black Jersey Giant
At limited times of the year, we also offer Black Jersey Giant Fertile Hatching Eggs.
Black Jersey Giant Chicken FAQs
How big do Black Jersey Giant chickens get?
They are the largest dual-purpose chicken breed. Roosters typically reach about 13 pounds, with some reaching 11 to 14 pounds.
Are Black Jersey Giant chickens good egg layers?
Yes. They typically produce 180 to 260 large brown eggs per year, which is strong production for such a large breed.
What color eggs do Black Jersey Giants lay?
They lay large brown eggs.
Are Black Jersey Giant chickens friendly?
Yes. They are generally docile and calm, making them good backyard and homestead chickens.
Are Black Jersey Giants good meat chickens?
Yes. They were originally developed for meat production and still excel in homestead meat programs, although they grow slower than commercial broilers.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Crazy Chicken Girl –
I got two of these girls last year in October. One died from the cold. The remaining female had a chick that I named Treasure, the the hen, named Joy, was killed. Two raccoons broke in ate my duck and Joy. She was a great chicken though and her chick is now almost five months old, and all I can say is
THANKS, CACKLE!
Kathryn Rambo –
The hens are great. I also ordered a Rooster, but he came with Wry Tail. His tail was/is so bent and his back is short. I have emailed Cackle about this. I Googled it and it is a genetic disorder. I hope they are able to send me another rooster or send me enough money to buy a full grown… or at least teen rooster somewhere. Sigh… I really wanted a large JG Rooster. If I can, I will update the review with the outcome.
https://www.mypetchicken.com/blogs/faqs/what-is-wry-tail
kimberly.schaeffer73 –
I just picked up my babies a little while ago. I let them sit in their box while inside their brooder. All but one arrived alive and alert. I dunked each ones beak into their water and with a few minutes a few of the 27 that arrived all started drinking. The others were exploring their new home. I will continue to check on them through the day. Will definitely be doing business with Cackle again.
Bob Jones –
Ordered 20 BJG and received 22! All alive and well. All of the *studies* and *recommendations* i had found in regards to this breed, all stated that extra care needed to be taken in building perches and setting up housing, due to their weight and size as adults. Well, these are no different from other breeds. You’ll find them on TOP of the house, barn, fence bracing…
Once in a while, you’ll see one limping around on a tender leg for a few days, but they recover without intervention. Good layers!
RA –
I’m a first time chicken-keeper and am very pleased with the chicks I purchased from Cackle. I ordered 3 Black Jersey Giants (received 3), 4 Blue Ameraucanas (received 5), 5 Rhode Island Reds (received 6), so I received a total of 14 chicks although I only ordered 12. They hatched on March 29th and all arrived healthy, active, and peeping at my post office on March 31st. I ordered 12 female chicks hoping that, (given sexing accuracy and so much that can go wrong with baby chicks), I’d still have at least 6 to 8 females when they grew up. 5 months later, I still have all 14 of my chickens and all are female.
I live in a very rural area with a lot of hawks, coyotes, foxes, etc. and wanted heritage chickens that would be good foragers (to eat insects, especially ticks, in my yard), and that would be predator savvy (so they would be more alert to predators while free-ranging and eating ticks in my yard). So far these chickens have proven to be both.
My black jersey giants are big, solid, beautiful birds. When the sun shines on them, their plumage has a beautiful dark emerald sheen, and in my opinion, of the three types I ordered, they have the prettiest faces, with dark, glossy, warm eyes. In the way that my jerseys watch me, they seem somehow more interested in or aware of me than the other two types or chickens I ordered. They also have the calmest temperaments of the three types of chicks that I ordered, and make a pretty, soothing trilling noise when I go out to see them. One doesn’t seem to mind being handled, one tolerates being handled, and one avoids being handled at all. All three of my jerseys seem to be around the middle of the pecking order.
One of them is also the lookout for the flock. When I began to introduce my leashed dogs to them outside, she was the one who came over to investigate. When squirrels, bunnies or groundhogs get too close to the flock, she is the one who chases them away. She also always seems to have one eye to the sky, looking out for hawks when they are free-ranging in my yard.
My first black jersey giant to lay laid her first little brown pullet egg at 21 weeks and one day, and has laid 5 five eggs in her first week of laying. When I reached out to Cackle for average ages of laying, they told me that the black jersey giants should start laying somewhere between 6 and 9 months of age, and I know they take longer to mature, so I was happily surprised when one began laying before she was five months old.
The only issue I’ve had with my jerseys was with them getting picked on by the others when they were a couple of weeks old. I think it was because out of 14 chicks, there were only 3 that were black. One of the jerseys was picked on so much and so quickly that she had a bald spot. I created a hardware cloth separation in the brooder for a few days, dimmed and changed the smart light in their brooder to red, and painted the bald spot with blu-kote, and she was fine after that.
Overall, I’m very pleased with all of my chickens, and would definitely order more from Cackle.
Jade Safford –
When we contacted about the possibility of our shipping date being about 5 days from shipping, they were very helpful. Thankfully, our chicks arrived on time and all of them our healthy and alert. We even received an extra one. Definitely going to be purchasing from here again.
Michael –
Happiness!
We ordered the first time from Cackle this year. We are EXCEEDINGLY happy. They sent two extra Black Jersey Giant Chicks, and two extra Jumbo Cornish Cross. We never expected this. All of the chicks arrived healthy and lively. We will definitely be ordering from Cackle again in the future.
Steven F –
Great transaction
Ordered 15 black Jersey Giants and 2 roosters and when they arrived, we received 18 hens and 2 roosters. They added a few more just in case of a delivery accident. All chicks and hens arrived unharmed and now they are 5 months old and already have a few eggs (even in our Colorado Winter). I think eggs at 5 mos is a little early, I can only contribute the early laying to the good healthy food we’ve been feeding them. Thanks so much for a great transaction and know that they are very happy and healthy.
Robert C –
Thanks
We ordered 50 birds back in july. 15 easter eggers, 10 Jersey giants, 10 Buffs, 5 Leg horns, 5 welsumers, and 5 marans. All of the birds arrived alive which is amazing since we are located in hawaii! I would like to point out that they give you a full list of what you ordered/ got extra which was a really nice touch. We lost one bird at a few days old but Cackle sent us 60 birds instead of 50 so it wasn’t an issue. I would like to mention we ordered 10 roos that were all marked on their heads with paint which was amazing. Fast forward a few months. all of the birds made it besides that one we lost in the first few days. We have a few extra roos that we didnt order but I think they gave them to us because we ordered 5 buff roos and 5 jersey roos but zero egger roos. Also, all of the birds are very healthy and all seem to be growing to breed standards. I couldn’t be happier with my order. I have ordered from other hatcheries in the past and I have had many issues (wrong chickens, dead/ sick birds, bad packaging, the list goes on) none of those issues happened when I ordered from cackle. With all of that being said they are still a hatchery and the birds aren’t going to be the cream of the crop to say but they are damn close! If you want a decent flock with beautiful birds and you don’t want to pay an absurd price to a private breeder cackle is your one stop shop!
Fanixon –
Hatching eggs
Received 12 hatching eggs, all in great condition. 10 out of 12 hatched and are now healthy at 2 months old
Jerry –
Have show winners from Cackle
My Rooster got best in Show and class. I also got best in class for 1 of my hens.
Sue Pennsylvania –
Very Satisfied
I ordered 28 chicks, received 2 free. All 30 arrived very healthy and at three months old now doing great! Highly recommend!
Okcowboy –
Love my Jerseys
I ordered my chicks and have not had any problems with them. They are all growing and healthy. They follow me like a puppy and are very friendly.
Justin –
You made our Family whole again.
We had a weasel sneak into our outdoor brooder and kill 17 White Leghorns that were 8 weeks old. The loss was horrendous, and compounded by the fact that they were hatched by my youngest daughter’s first grade class. We sat down as a family, and the seven of us narrowed it down to four breeds for a new batch of chickens. 3 Black Jersey Giants Females and 2 Males, 3 Black Laced Golden Wyandottes F , 3 Dominiques F, and 6 Easter Eggers F. We have an existing adult flock of 10 mixxed Isa Browns, White Leghorn, and Easter Eggers, all Female. We ordered two days before a hatch date. We received our chicks two days later delivered to our door, after they got kicked out of the post office for being too loud. 23 chicks in wonderful shape; an extra male Giant, 2 extra female giants, 1 extra female Wyandotte, and 2 extra Easter Egger females. We dipped little beaks in water and its been balls full out since then. 100% survival at 6 days old!!! Perfect total flock ratio of 3 males and 30 females(Barring any surprise roosters). My kids are happy, my wife is happy, and I am very happy. If every online purchase was this satisfying I might never go to another brick and mortar store again. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Cackle. You have our business for life.
Jerry –
Great dealing with Cackle
My chicks got lost at the post office. After finally getting thrm home I had a few deaths but after contacting Cackle they gave me hint on saving the remaining chicks. The ones that arrived alive have all lived and are spunky as ever. At less than a week old they are becoming escape artist. They escape thier pool and snuggle with my dogs. I have a female Borzoi and he might have 10 to 16 chicks sleeping on her at anytime. They were very spot on on replacing the deceased chicks. Will continue to do business with Cackle and refer them to anyone looking chickens.
Jostaley –
Im happy
Me and my brother got our giants yesterday and they were all healthy except one which we lost. The rest are doing just fine and are eating and drinking very well. I am definitely pleased with my order.
Alexa –
Got my Chicks!
Got my baby chicks this morning! All healthy, all doing fantastic! The tracking for my package was spot on with much appreciated detail. I got my chicks shipped to Hawaii which has additional fees and you have to have a higher minimum of birds and it was totally 100% worth it. I will be using your service in the future and will be recommending it to others. Thank you so very much!
HAROLD TEXAS 2017 –
HATCHERY
The chicks arrived in great shape and I am very pleased with both of my orders from you. It has been a pleasure, thanks for the great service. I will order again.
greg –
just received
Just got my chicks, and they are doing great! We live in NY and it’s been cold and snowy for March. They were a little sluggish when I got then home, but once they got under the heat lamp, They woke up. Eating and drinking and running all over. Very health and I will surely buy more from your company.
Thank you
D-Rob –
Happy with my order
Got my black jersey giants on 6- 16- 16. Order 15 got 17. Beautiful healthy balls of energy. It was so much fun to watch them catching bugs drawn in by their heat light last night. Thanks Cackle Hatchery for the quality of the birds.
Michelle –
Very impressed!!!!!
I got my chicks 3 days ago. I lost one in transport and I emailed telling them I lost one. They called me the day I emailed to make sure the rest of my chicks were okay. Very impressive! I love that quality of my chicks and will order again!
trapper444 –
The Black Jersey Giants
I ordered 25 pullets & 3 roosters from Cackle & when they started growing there were 7 roosters OOPS!! hey no one is perfect & if that wasn’t bad enough someone stole 7 of them while i was cutting a load of wood with my brother i still have 15 beautiful pullets i ordered them back in mid May & they are 7 months old now & they are starting to lay i got 6 yesterday . The Black Jersey Giants are one of the most beautiful chickens that green sheen when the sun shines on them I would recommend them to any chicken owners . Now mine are 7 months old & they are much bigger than my brother’s Road Island Reds & his will be 2 yrs old in June They are LARGE CHICKENS The Black Jersey Giants are my # 1 breed of all time I love mine Hope my review helps someone to go with the Black Jersey Giants
John Missouri April 2014 –
Thank you Soooooo Much
I can’t begin to tell you how overwhelmed and grateful we are for the Black Jersey Giants chicks we received today! In fact we are still excited about our trip to the hatchery last month and refer it often. My nephew recently won 3rd place in his schools Science Fair.
Chris Connecticut July 2010 –
Satisfied Customer
I know you guys are busy so I will keep it short. It has been 9 weeks since I received my Jersey Giant Chicks. I would like you to know I am extremely satisfied with them. They are good stock. They are as healthy as can be. They grow so fast for a slow growing breed. I compare my girls to others who raise Jersey Giants from different web forums. Mine are always bigger and healthier looking than much older pullets. I am always being told what good quality birds I have. I will always recommend cackle to anyone who wants great quality poultry. Thanks!
Mark New York April 2014 –
Chick Arrivals
Greetings from upstate New York and the Adirondack Mountains. Just a quick note to advise you our order of Buckeyes, Barred Rock and Jersey Giants arrived this morning. All chicks appear healthy and vigorous especially the Buckeyes who are non-stop balls of energy! Thanks for the experience.
Ed, California May 2011 –
Thanks
Just wanted to let you know the chicks arrived safely this morning and all had eaten and had a drink within the first 15 minutes out of the box. They have been in the brooder for several hours now and are doing great! Thanks you for the great chicks, including the extras.