World’s Largest Chickens Are “Gentle Giants”
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Jersey Giants have a reputation for being the world’s largest chicken, with roosters weighing in at 13 to 15 lbs. and hens weighing up to 11 lbs. Despite their size, breeders say the breed is a “gentle giant” and a great addition for poultry producers, especially if they like extra-large eggs.
The breed was developed by New Jersey brothers, Thomas and John Black, in the late 1800’s. They bred Black Langshan, dark Brahma and Black Java chickens to create large meat birds that they called Black Jersey, after their last name. The only downside was that the breed takes 8 to 9 mos. to reach full size, so it didn’t take off as a meat breed as they hoped. By the early 2000’s, the Jersey Giant was a critically endangered breed.
Since 2017 it has found new interest by poultry producers for its eggs and as an interesting breed to add to a flock. Eggs and chicks can be purchased through many hatcheries.
It’s one of the 160 breeds raised at Meyer Hatchery in Polk, Ohio, says Meghan Howard, website manager. The family business, started by Karen Meyer in 1985 has bred Jersey Giant chickens for more than 20 years and ships day-old chicks year-round.
“Most customers buy them for the XL eggs. But some also buy them for the meat,” Howard says. “The breed is known as being calm and docile. Hens lay around three to five eggs a week. After a year, the eggs are typically XL in size.”
They usually mix well with other breeds. Bred to be robust and do well in cold weather climates, the breed is not susceptible to many illnesses. And, with roosters 22 to 26-in. tall and hens 16 to 20-in. tall, they are too big for hawks to carry away. Because of their weight, leg injuries are a potential health issue if they jump from a high space. Low perches are recommended as well as vitamins and minerals.
Though Jersey Giants hens are good mothers, they can crack eggshells with their weight so eggs should be removed and placed under a hen of a smaller breed.
Producers willing to provide a little more space and feed will appreciate the breed. Howard suggests checking them and the dozens of other chicken, duck, goose and turkey breeds available at Meyer Hatchery.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Meyer Hatchery, 626 State Rt. 89, Polk, Ohio 44866 (ph 419-945-2651; info@meyerhatchery.com; www.meyerhatchery.com).
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World’s Largest Chickens Are “Gentle Giants” FARM HOME Novelty Items Jersey Giants have a reputation for being the world’s largest chicken with roosters weighing in at 13 to 15 lbs and hens weighing up to 11 lbs Despite their size breeders say the breed is a “gentle giant” and a great addition for poultry producers especially if they like extra-large eggs The breed was developed by New Jersey brothers Thomas and John Black in the late 1800’s They bred Black Langshan dark Brahma and Black Java chickens to create large meat birds that they called Black Jersey after their last name The only downside was that the breed takes 8 to 9 mos to reach full size so it didn’t take off as a meat breed as they hoped By the early 2000’s the Jersey Giant was a critically endangered breed Since 2017 it has found new interest by poultry producers for its eggs and as an interesting breed to add to a flock Eggs and chicks can be purchased through many hatcheries It’s one of the 160 breeds raised at Meyer Hatchery in Polk Ohio says Meghan Howard website manager The family business started by Karen Meyer in 1985 has bred Jersey Giant chickens for more than 20 years and ships day-old chicks year-round “Most customers buy them for the XL eggs But some also buy them for the meat ” Howard says “The breed is known as being calm and docile Hens lay around three to five eggs a week After a year the eggs are typically XL in size ” They usually mix well with other breeds Bred to be robust and do well in cold weather climates the breed is not susceptible to many illnesses And with roosters 22 to 26-in tall and hens 16 to 20-in tall they are too big for hawks to carry away Because of their weight leg injuries are a potential health issue if they jump from a high space Low perches are recommended as well as vitamins and minerals Though Jersey Giants hens are good mothers they can crack eggshells with their weight so eggs should be removed and placed under a hen of a smaller breed Producers willing to provide a little more space and feed will appreciate the breed Howard suggests checking them and the dozens of other chicken duck goose and turkey breeds available at Meyer Hatchery Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Meyer Hatchery 626 State Rt 89 Polk Ohio 44866 ph 419-945-2651; info@meyerhatchery com; www meyerhatchery com
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