Description
White Jersey Giant Chicken
Breed History and Origin
The White Jersey Giant Chicken originated in Burlington County, New Jersey, during the 1880s alongside the development of the black variety. The breed was originally developed as a large meat-producing chicken and eventually became known as the largest of the dual-purpose chicken breeds.
The White variety was later admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1947. Today, Jersey Giants are considered a sustainable heritage chicken breed with recovering conservation status.
Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its pure White Jersey Giant bloodline since 1982, focusing on maintaining size, production ability, and dependable flock temperament.
Size, Growth, and Meat Production
White Jersey Giants are a heavy-bodied breed that grows slower than many modern production birds. However, once mature, they surpass most breeds in overall body weight and meat yield.
Mature hens typically weigh around 10 pounds, while roosters average about 13 pounds. Pullets usually weigh about 8 pounds, and cockerels about 11 pounds.
Because of their size and meat yield, they are highly valued in homestead meat programs, even though they are not commonly used in modern commercial broiler production due to slower growth rates.
Egg Production and Performance
White Jersey Giant hens are solid producers for such a large-bodied breed. They typically produce about 150 to 200 large brown eggs per year, depending on management and environment.
They are classified as a primary production bird and can serve as both an egg layer and secondary meat source in backyard and farm flocks.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
White Jersey Giant chicks are typically smoky gray at hatch, but feather out into clean white plumage as they mature.
Both black and white Jersey Giant varieties are known for having willow-colored or nearly black legs and toes, which is a distinguishing breed characteristic. Their large frame and broad body structure contribute to their reputation as one of the largest chicken breeds available.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
White Jersey Giants are generally considered docile and easy to manage, especially for a bird of their size. Their calm nature makes them a strong choice for backyard flocks, homesteads, and small farms looking for larger birds.
Because of their heavy body structure, they are typically less flighty and easier to contain than lighter production breeds.
Flock Management and Breeding
White 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 heritage breeds. Many hens will go broody and can make good mothers.
Availability
Cackle Hatchery® offers the production-type White Jersey Giant as part of its heritage dual-purpose program.
White Jersey Giant Chicken FAQs
How big do White Jersey Giant chickens get?
They are one of the largest chicken breeds available. Roosters typically reach about 13 pounds, while hens average about 10 pounds.
Are White Jersey Giant chickens good egg layers?
Yes. They typically produce about 150 to 200 large brown eggs per year, which is strong production for a very large breed.
What color eggs do White Jersey Giants lay?
They lay large brown eggs.
Are White Jersey Giant chickens friendly?
Yes. They are generally docile, calm, and easy to manage, making them good backyard and homestead chickens.
Are White Jersey Giants good meat chickens?
Yes. They excel as homestead meat birds due to their large mature size, even though they grow slower than commercial broilers.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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dhall8577 –
I ordered 3 and received 4. They are very large birds and are very talkative in the morning when they see you. Their eggs are a lighter brown compared to my Rhode Island Whites. Great choice for my flock.
Estela Gormley-Reder –
I ordered 4 white jersey giant and I got five. Love everyone of them. They are so gentle and beautiful docile birds. I have Gertrude, penny, Ofelia, yaya and Brandi. I can’t say anymore but these are wonderful and beautiful hens.
Cackle hatchery are great. I would definitely order from them again.
Rachel Kitzmiller –
I’ve ordered several times from Cackle and have never been disappointed. My five Jersey Giant hens from this spring are inquisitive and so sweet. I frequently sit in the run with my chickens to help them get accustomed to me and some of these girls will hop up right onto my lap and let me pet them. They are very gentle and, so far, have gotten along well with my other hens and roosters. My only regret is that I didn’t order more than five. Thank you for a great selection of high quality birds!
Timothy –
Well worth it!
Bought 4 Jersey Giants in February 2019. They are definitely GIANTS! The rooster is very protective which is what I wanted. If you are on the fence about buying some, just buy it already before I do!
DOC –
White Jersey Giants
I am new to this breed and I just love them! They are beautiful! I ordered all females but ended up with a rooster and I couldn’t be happier!! He is big and gorgeous and doing such a great job keeping the girls in line. And he’s pretty quiet for a rooster! I will definitely be ordering more in the future!
Debra C –
Great service
I’ve always ordered from McMurry Hatchery for 18 years. Had intended to order 50 Jersey Giants but missed the order time So decided to try your company. Very friendly service over the phone and your catalog was excellent info on different breeds. Ist order of black jerseys then 2nd order of white. Black are now laying brown eggs daily. Beautiful breed little skittish at first but now come up to you. Would definitely recommend your hatchery and am now a dedicated buyer. Keep up the great service
Johnboy –
Love this breed!
I purchased 3 white hens and 1 white rooster. I was very pleased with Cackle Hatchery’s shipping and quality of the chicks. Excellent! I was concerned that the rooster would be aggressive, but he is very cool! Very beautiful birds and I give Cackle Hatchery 5 starsxxxxx
Okie chicken lady –
Just love my Jersey Giants
The Jersey Giants i ordered from you are just over eight months old now. Lost one to a hawk, the rest are all healthy and gentle, and maybe still growing.
They are beautiful birds. Wish i had gotten a rooster, too.
Wade –
New Jersey giants
I love them they are a good hearty breed and they are gentle they would make a great pet
DC –
Love the jersey giants
Ordered 25 then ordered 25 more. Only lost 1 in transit. Have 6 Roosters rest hens. Great egg layers. Little skittish at first but hens will come to you now Roosters stay couple inches away. Hoping to have a few that will get bigger. Have black and white ones. Black is beautiful
Bartmam –
White Jersey Giants
I bought 40 I was sent 43 with vaccination
and I lost one! And it is worth the extra time to feed them out and the best tasting chicken you can eat I think.
We use a instant pot and this chicken makes the best stock it is rich and yellow.
Megan –
Love my Jersey Girls
I’ve had my Jersey Giant hens for nearly 8 months now and I love them! They’re super sweet chickens, but seem a little timid compared to my other breeds. They’re a nice full bodied chicken that lay light brown eggs.
michael –
Smoky and alert
Hi I ordered 3 p and 1 rooster. I love Cackle for marking the head of the rooster. I like him a lot, so he is always noticing me, and I will place feed in my hand and he will jump on and eat. Of course the first time I initiated it, but soon after, every time I stick my hand in the brooder, he is noticing, he does like to jump in my palm when I go to the brooder. I received 1 extra, I think. Not sure but I do have another extra chick that looks like the White J Giant. I’ll see.
rick –
pretty to be so big
pretty chickens
Amelia Eggheart –
White Jersey Giant fluke?
I was the proud owner of a White Jersey Giant (WJG) cockerel from Cackle back in April 2015 with my mixed flock of chicks. Unfortunately, his temperament and voice weren’t per the standard. He was becoming stunningly beautiful, but with a squeaky, high pitched voice and the poor thing was terrified of everything. Later, it turned out he had a tumor in his throat and died at 8 and a half months.
I’m hoping his condition was a fluke and I will have WJGs from Cackle again, as he really was developing into a beautiful bird and my other birds from Cackle of different breeds are doing very well.
I mentioned this problem to their Facebook account and received a warm and caring response from their customer service. I will update my review with the new WJGs once I’ve had them a while!
Darrel April 2009 –
Website Comment
WOW!!! After placing my order, I did the two virtual tours on your website. UNREAL and AMAZING come to mind. You have some kind of operation! Very impressive. I have a small incubator setting in my garage that I’m scared to use for my parrot eggs, and see you guys hatching thousands each week like clockwork is awesome! I wanted to add that ordering on your website was as easy as anything I’ve done online. I can’t wait to receive my order. Thanks again.
AJ, North Carolina April 2012 –
Cackle Hatchery
First off, I’ve been exceeding happy with my chicks, poults and ducklings i received on April 11 from Cackle Hatchery. All were alive when I received them. I’m also extremely pleased with the after delivery service I received. After receiving my shipment, I read on your instructions you shouldn’t raise day old/week old ducklings with chicks or poults. When I called I was greeted by a polite and pleasant lady who informed me why you don’t raise ducklings with other poultry. And more importantly I want to thank you for hatching healthy chicks, duckling and poults. Also the great before and after service you provide.
Peggy Washington April 2013 –
Chicks
My chicks arrived today. I am so very happy with them. They arrived no worse for the trip and immediately adjusted to their new surroundings. I’ve purchased chicks from other online hatcheries and yours seem more “alive” than the others. I’m very happy with them.
Marsha, Iowa July 2010 –
Chicks you sent me
You sent me some beautiful birds that are either Delawares or Delaware/Hamp cross. Those birds are the biggest so far. And there is a huge pure white female that may be a Jersey Giant. She is also the largest. They are real nice.
Sigfrido Puerto Rico May 2010 –
Cackle Hatchery
As you can see I live in Puerto Rico. My chicks were sent Wednesday and arrived today Friday. All of them alive and in perfect condition. Thank you very much. It has been a pleasure doing business with you and will definitely will do business again.