Jersey Giant
Dual purposeUnited StatesBeginner friendly
The largest purebred chicken in America, the Jersey Giant was bred in 1870s New Jersey with the ambitious goal of replacing the turkey on the dinner table. Modern keepers love them as calm, imposing yard companions that lay big brown eggs and intimidate hawks by sheer presence.
Eggs per year
150–200
Egg color
Brown
Egg size
Extra large
Hen weight
9–11 lbs
Temperament
Mellow gentle giant
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
A mature Jersey Giant rooster can weigh 13 to 15 pounds — heavy enough that most predators think twice.
Jersey Giant egg production
Expect roughly 150–200 brown eggs a year from a Jersey Giant in her prime — about 3–4 a week, or 13–17 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Jersey Giant is generally described as mellow gentle giant. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Jersey Giant rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It can struggle in extreme heat, so prioritise deep shade, ventilation, and cool water through the hottest part of summer.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Jersey Gianthen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Jersey Giant hen is a heavyweight bird at 9–11 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Jersey Giant right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- You're in an extreme-heat climate
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Jersey Giant FAQ
- How many eggs do Jersey Giant chickens lay?
- A healthy Jersey Giant hen lays about 150–200 brown eggs a year — roughly 3–4 a week, or 13–17 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Jersey Giants lay?
- Jersey Giants lay brown eggs, extra large in size.
- How big do Jersey Giant chickens get?
- A Jersey Giant hen weighs roughly 9–11 lbs — a heavyweight bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Jersey Giants cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Jersey Giant is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Jersey Giants good for beginners?
- Yes. The Jersey Giant is a forgiving, mellow gentle giant breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Jersey Giant hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Jersey Giant hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
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