Do you like more unusual breeds of chickens? Here is some pertinent information about Jersey Giants, especially their coloring, and what to look for in eBay auction listings.

I adore the breed and thought I'd help those trying to get established in Jersey Giants know a little more about them. First, they are big! The hens range in size from about 9-11 lbs and roosters grow to 13+ lbs. The most common color is Black. Although known as Black Jersey Giants, that is not for the color but rather for the Black brothers (that was their last name) who developed the breed. The more rare colors are Blue, Blue-Splashed or Splash, and White.

Personally, I am most fond of Blues and Splashes, although I truly enjoy a Jersey Giant of good quality, size, and temperament no matter what the color! I use all colors in my breeding program to produce the best birds I can. Here is what I have read in regards to what to expect about color inheritance. This is theoretical, it is not set in stone. Genetics in general have a way of proving any "absolute" wrong! The colors are not gender-specific, so it doesn't matter which color bird is a hen or a rooster. Black to Black will produce all Black chicks. Splash to Splash will produce all Splash chicks. Blue to Black will have a fifty percent probability each of Black or Blue. Blue to Splash will have a fifty percent probability of each of Blue or Splash. Black to Splash mating will produce all Blue chicks.

Also something to consider, if given PICTURES of the birds who are producing the eggs you are buying is that the common goal if you are looking for the Blue color is a nicely laced Blue. If the birds are very light blue, or very dark blue, things may turn out differently. I choose to cull any birds from my flock that are too light blue or too dark blue. I put them in a separate enclosure and use their eggs for eating, or sell those birds as second-choice.

Don't be coerced into thinking that buying chicks from a hatchery is the best way to go. Hatcheries "farm out" the selling of different breeds tot he lowest bidder - you often won't get good quality and I have NEVER seen or heard of any hatchery who offers Jersey Giants that are actually Jersey Giants or good quality birds. Go to a breeder of that variety who is a member of the National Jersey Giant Club, who is in the know and/or who exhibits the birds or has show quality birds. A lot of times, Black Giants or other names for "giant" birds mean that you get shipped some other breed or I'm not sure what, but you're bound to be unhappy with the results. I have personally seen major genetic flaws in birds purchased from a hatchery - crossbeaks, improper color/size, blindness....they go for quantities, not for quality.

Jersey Giants are good egg-layers of large, brown eggs that may vary in shade from a light cream to quite dark brown in color, somtimes with a freckled appearance. Jersey Giants are also valued as meat birds, and are slow to mature. Although they will breed/lay eggs at around 6 months of age, they are not mature until 18-24 months. Typically, the breed is very laid back and easygoing, a joy to raise and even the roosters are not aggressive at all. They may follow you around like puppy dogs! Jersey Giants are good foragers although I always recomend offering a top quality laying mash for optimum health. I have heard that Jersey Giant hens make good mothers, although I prefer to let my incubator take care of that end of things. The hens are not typically broody, but may act this way when they are going into or out of egg production, especially the older ladies.

Other descriptive traits to look for in Jersey Giants, per the APA Standard for Blue Jersey Giants: Disqualifications include Red, yellow, or more than one half inch of positive white showing on the surface plumage. Two or more feathers tipped or edged with positive white. Comb, face, wattles, and ear lobes: bright red. Beak: Black shading to yellow toward the tip. Eyes: Dark brown approaching black. Shanks and toes: Nearly black or dark slatey blue, with a tendency toward willow; black preferred. Underpart of feet, yellow.

Jersey Giants are a Rare Heritage Breed, and I have seen the misconception out there in cyber space that they are endangerd - they are not at this time "endangered" as per American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, their ratings are as follows: The breed census satisfies numerical guidelines:

Critical: Fewer than 200 annual registrations in the United States and estimated global population less than 2,000. Threatened: Fewer than 1,000 annual registrations in the United States and estimated global population less than 5,000. Watch: Fewer than 2,500 annual registrations in the United States and estimated global population less than 10,000. Also included are breeds that present genetic or numerical concerns or have a limited geographic distribution. Recovering: Breeds that were once listed in another category and have exceeded Watch category numbers but are still in need of monitoring. Study: Breeds that are of genetic interest but either lack definition or lack genetic or historical documentation. At this time, Jersey Giants are on the "Watch" list for breed conservancy. Yes, they are rare. Yes, they are a Heritage Breed. No, they are not "endangered" per say.

Other things to consider: Look at the picture(s) provided. If a website is offered, visit it. If it isn't the website of the person selling: warning. They have something to hide, in my opinion. Look at the conditions the birds are in. Do you see an egg laying around dirty on the ground in a pen? That looks like a bacteria problem to me! (I have not seen this for Jersey Giants but in photos for other tyypes of hatching eggs....gross!) Can you see the birds' coloring? Size? (If it is near a common size feeder or waterer, you can use it to judge its size!) Does the bird or birds in the picture appear frightened of the person taking a picture? Are they running? If a rooster is shown, the size of his spurs may give you some indication as to his age. Personally, I like to use a photo with the background cropped out for an eBay listing. This merely allows you to more easily see what the bird looks like! They are my own real pictures of my own real birds.

If you receive small eggs, it may just mean that the hen(s) who laid smaller eggs were young. The older hens will lay larger eggs. Also first or last production eggs will sometimes be smaller. I have hatched some of these smaller eggs into wonderful chicks who grow normally and are not stunted or do not grow up to be smaller than other chicks their age...

Bargain eggs are typically so for a reason, same with shipping prices. Personally, I have a seven hundred dollar feed bill and try to recoup that by selling hatching eggs. Aside from that is the time to gather eggs and prepare them for sale, do the listings, pay for the eBay fees and PayPal fees. I will eat an egg before I sell it at a ridiculously low price, I have a reasonable idea of what other breeders ask for their eggs and mine are reasonably priced within that range. Don't be afraid to do your homework on that. I did talk to a customer who described chicks he hatched from what were sold as Jersey Giant eggs that were just some large variety of black chicken, or perhaps some mixed breed.

Hope this helps clear up any uncertainties and give you a better picture about Jersey Giants in general, their coloring, and what to look for in eBay listings for hatching eggs. Information courtesy of Cinda's Blue Jersey Giants. You can view my website and contact me there if you have further questions - even if you don't buy from me, I have no problems answering questions or just chatting birds with others who are interested in them. Happy Hatching!