Full Answer
How much to feed a Jersey Giant Chicken?
Jersey Giants are big hungry birds, but you cannot force feed them to accelerate growth when young; you have to patiently build the frame first and then put weight on using top quality feed. Jersey Giants eat anywhere between 3.5 oz (99g) and 7 oz (198g) a day, but on average breeders feed their chickens 5.5 oz (155g) a day.
Are Jersey Giants good with chickens?
Jersey Giants are friendly, docile birds that get along well with humans and other chickens alike. They do well both on the range and in large backyard runs. And they lay a good deal of eggs and provide a decent amount of meat. They can forage for a lot of their food, but they’re also good for snuggles.
What should I Feed my Blue Jersey Giants?
The American Poultry Association recognized Blue Jersey Giants as a variety in 2003. Feeding What should I feed them? When you first get your chickens home you should feed them growers mash, as it has a higher percentage of protein (19%) and is refined so that it can be easily ingested.
Do Jersey giant chickens lay brown eggs?
Jersey Giant hens aren’t prolific layers, but they do tend to provide a decent number of brown eggs. The age that Jersey Giants start laying varies greatly.
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What do you feed Jersey Giants?
Jersey Giants can generally be fed the same feed as most other chicken breeds, although they may eat more. To keep up on their large size, they require extra nutrients to power through the day.
How much does a Jersey Giant eat?
If you plan on using these birds for meat, there is little you can do but be patient with their growth. Jersey Giants will eat between 3.5 oz to 7 oz of food per day, with the average amount coming in at 5.5 oz.
Are Jersey Giant chickens good eating?
Yes! With its large size, the Jersey Giant is one of the best chicken breeds you can raise for meat. It is robust and just one bird provides an excellent meal for a family of four. While the chickens are delicious to eat, they do take some time to mature.
How much room do Jersey Giant chickens need?
6-8 square feetGiants are large chickens and require a lot of elbow room. Each one of them will need 6-8 square feet of coop space. Also as they are quite tall you will need to make sure that they have enough head room too. Some can stand up to 26-28 inches tall so keep this in mind.
How can you tell if a Jersey Giant chick is male or female?
Jersey Giant Chicken Breed Standard According to the USDA standard, Males can weigh between 13 and 15 pounds and usually stand between 22 and 26 inches tall. Females weigh about 11 pounds and stand between 16 and 20 inches tall.
Are Jersey Giant chickens cold hardy?
The Jersey Giant is a calm and docile breed. The cocks are rarely aggressive. The hens lay very large brown eggs, and are fair layers overall, known particularly as good winter layers. The birds are robust and fairly cold-hardy.
Can Jersey Giant chickens fly?
Is the Jersey Giant Right For You? The Giant makes a wonderful backyard bird. It is friendly, gentle, and gets along pretty well with other breeds, and usually, many other chickens will not mess with a Giant because of the size! They are steady, not flighty, so they are easier than some to handle, and they don't fly.
How long does it take for Jersey Giants to grow?
Reason #5: You want a fast-growing meat bird. Although Jersey Giants can provide a lot of meat for you and your family, they are very slow growing. They can take 8 to 9 months to reach a harvestable weight.
What size egg does a Jersey Giant lay?
LargeJersey Giant / Egg size
How much does a Jersey Giant chicken cost?
PricingSex1-575-99Straight Run$3.67$2.56Male$2.83$2.12Female$4.28$3.52
Are Jersey Giants dual purpose?
Uses: The Jersey Giant is a dual-purpose fowl for meat and eggs. This fowl lays around 150 - 200 eggs per year depending on conditions such as the weather and level of comfort for the chickens.
Do Jersey Giants roost?
As a heavy breed, low roosts (2-3 feet) are better for Jersey Giants. Also, allow ample body space for each bird on the bar so they don't need to be crowded together. That way they stay cool on warm nights.
What is the best tasting chicken breed?
The Bresse — This bird, with its bright blue feet, is regarded as the best tasting meat chicken in the world. A Bresse reaches a mature weight between five and seven pounds in about 20 weeks.
What are the best chickens for meat?
The Top 8 Meat Chicken BreedsCornish Cross Chickens. Cornish Cross birds are the most well-known of the broiler breeds. ... Big Red Broilers. ... Bresse. ... Turken. ... Kosher King. ... Dark Cornish. ... Ginger Broiler. ... Jersey Giant.More items...•
How much does a Jersey Giant chicken cost?
PricingSex1-575-99Straight Run$3.67$2.56Male$2.83$2.12Female$4.28$3.52
What is the difference between a black australorp and a Jersey Giant?
Australorps differ from Black Jersey Giants in that the legs of the Jersey Giant are black (some tending toward willow) and the underparts of the feet are yellow. In Lorps, the legs are black, shading to dark slate in adults, but the underparts of the feet are pinkish white.
The Top 10 reasons to get Jersey Giant chickens
Jersey Giants are, on average, the largest chicken breed. Yes, even larger than the mighty Asiatic giants— Brahmas, Cochins, and Langshans.
Breeds you may want instead of Jersey Giants
You may want to consider other docile heavy breeds, such as the giant Asiatic breeds— Brahmas, Cochins, and Langshans. For more information on these, check out my articles:
Order your Jersey Giant chickens now
As a word of caution, many chicken keepers have noted that their Jersey Giants aren’t even close to as big as the standard. These keepers say their Giants look just like regular-sized black chickens. If the Jersey’s Giant’s size is important to you, make sure you check with your hatchery or breeder before ordering.
The History of Jersey Giant
Originally developed by John and Thomas Black near Jobstown, New Jersey, another bird was produced to fill a marketing niche.
Jersey Giant Standard and Appearance
The Black Jersey Giant was admitted to the American Poultry Association in 1922. The White followed in 1947 and the Blue in 2003.
Jersey Giant Temperament and Egg Laying
The Giant is a docile, mellow bird in general, even the roosters. They are known as friendly birds, and several folks have kept them as pets rather than their intended purpose of table birds.
Is the Jersey Giant Right For You?
The Giant makes a wonderful backyard bird. It is friendly, gentle, and gets along pretty well with other breeds, and usually, many other chickens will not mess with a Giant because of the size!
Summary
Although there are a few extra considerations to consider when having Jersey Giants, mainly in space, feed, and height requirements, they really are an easy bird to raise.
History of Jersey Giant
The Jersey Giant breed was originally created in the 1870s in New Jersey by two brothers, Thomas and John Black. It was developed to fill the marketing niche and as a replacement for turkeys. At that time, the demand for big and heavy birds was very high. People at that time had large families.
Appearance
The most eye-catching thing about the Jersey Giant breed is its overall size. Generally, the body of the bird is moderate to long and is both deep and wide.
The three varieties of the Jersey Giants have a variation in the color of their feathers and legs
Just like the name suggests, the Black Jersey Giants are black. Both their legs and feathers are black. In sunlight, the feathers have a stunning iridescent green sheen. They have yellow soles and four toes.
Personality and Temperament of Jersey Giants
When considering Jersey Giant chickens, they are generally gentle. In fact, one of the reasons why they are often sought after is because they are docile and friendly. Their personality has made many people keep them as pets. They will make amazing backyard birds for you.
Care and Health Issues
Jersey Giants are not susceptible to a wide range of illnesses. However, the main potential health issue that they might encounter is leg injuries. These can occur when they jump or fly from a higher height. You can prevent this by placing perches closer to the ground.
Raising Jersey Giant Chicken
Jersey Giants are hardy birds. This is because of their overall vigorous health and robust structure. They do very well in cold climates.
Setting up the Coop
Jersey Giants are generally large birds. Therefore, they require a lot of free room. Each of the birds may need approximately 5-9 square feet of the coop space. If you are planning to keep a flock of them, then you must ensure that you are leaving room for expansion.
