heavy breed · USA
Jersey Giant
The largest standard chicken breed. Docile, slow-growing, and surprisingly steady layers of large brown eggs — even through cold winters.
| Size class | heavy |
|---|---|
| Weight (hen) | 10 lb (4.54 kg) |
| Weight (rooster) | 13 lb (5.90 kg) |
| Eggs per year | 180 |
| Egg color | brown |
| Egg size | large |
| Climate tolerance | cold |
| Temperament | docile |
| Goes broody | occasionally |
| Noise level | quiet |
| Beginner-friendly | Yes |
| Origin | USA |
Is the Jersey Giant right for your flock?
The Jersey Giant is a heavy breed that's well-suited to first-time keepers. Hens lay around 180 brown eggs per year and tolerate cold climates well.
Temperament: docile. Broodiness: occasionally. Noise level: quiet. A reasonable choice for suburban yards.
What this breed needs
- Coop space: about 5 sq ft per bird inside the coop. Run the numbers for your specific flock size in the coop size calculator.
- Climate fit: particularly comfortable in cold climates with good winter laying.
- Eggs: a steady, reliable producer — a good general-purpose layer.