Varieties: Black, White.
Standard Weights: Cock-13 pounds; hen-10 pounds; cockerel-11
pounds; pullet-8 pounds.
Skin Color: Yellow.
Egg Shell Color: Brown.
Not surprisingly, the Jersey Giant is a large bird that was
developed in the 1870's in New Jersey to meet the demand for heavy fowl.
Developed by the Black brothers, it was originally called the Jersey Black
Giant. Giants were bred from crosses of Orpingtons, Javas, and Langshans,
becoming and remaining the largest chickens developed in America. They are
rugged birds but because they grow a large frame first and have little meat
until about 6 months, they have not been used in industry, which prizes a
rapidly growing bird.
Characteristics: Jersey Giants are the largest breed in the
American Class. They should be rugged, with an angular shape, single comb and
black (with willowish tinge) shanks in the Black variety and dark willow shanks
in the White variety. The Jersey Giant will go broody but is not the best
choice for incubating and brooding because of their size. Their tendency to
grow a big frame first and cover it with meat later make them a poor fit for
today's conditions. The meat yield is disappointing until they are 6 months or
older. No fowl with black plumage or dark or willow shanks has ever remained
popular in this country for long, although they used to be more widespread.
However, good specimens do have an appeal, mainly because of their size.
Content:
Chicken Breeds and Varieties (A2880), John L. Skinner,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Miller's Jersey Giant Farm, Bern, Kansas
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