Is the Australorp or Jersey Giant a better egg layer?

The Australorp lays about 200–280 eggs a year; the Jersey Giant lays about 150–200. The Australorp is the stronger layer — about 200–280 eggs a year against the Jersey Giant's 150–200.

Australorp vs Jersey Giant — which is better for beginners?

Both the Australorp and the Jersey Giant are beginner-friendly and forgiving of first-time mistakes.

Australorp photo: JTdale (CC BY 3.0) · Jersey Giant photo: DanielPenfield (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons

Australorp vs Jersey Giant

Two backyard favorites, side by side — egg production, temperament, size, and hardiness, straight from our breed data. Here's how to choose.

The quick verdict

The Australorp is the stronger layer — about 200–280 eggs a year against the Jersey Giant's 150–200.

The Jersey Giant is the bigger bird at 9–11 lbs — more presence and more meat, but more feed and coop space than the Australorp.

In a hot, humid climate the Australorp copes better than the Jersey Giant.

Both dual purpose birdsBoth lay brown eggsBoth cold-hardyBoth beginner-friendlyBoth calm and easy to handle

Choose the Australorp if you want…

More eggs — up to 280 a year
Compact — less space and feed
Better through summer heat

Full Australorp profile →

Choose the Jersey Giant if you want…

A bigger table bird (11 lbs)

Full Jersey Giant profile →

Side by side

Trait	Australorp	Jersey Giant
Purpose	Dual purpose	Dual purpose
Eggs per year	✓200–280	150–200
Egg color	Brown	Brown
Egg size	Large	Extra large
Hen weight	6.5–8 lbs	9–11 lbs
Temperament	Gentle and calm	Mellow gentle giant
Cold hardy	Yes	Yes
Heat tolerant	Yes	No
Broodiness	Sometimes broody	Sometimes broody
Beginner friendly	Yes	Yes

Egg counts are healthy-hen peaks; real numbers dip in winter, during molt, and as a hen ages. Size a coop for either bird with our coop size calculator.

More head-to-heads

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Or browse every comparison · see all 51 breeds

Australorp or Jersey Giant — track whichever you pick

Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal, log their eggs and weight, and let the app show you which hen is really your best layer. Free on iOS and Android.