White Jersey Giants

As a lifetime poultry-man I've always been fascinated by the flexibility and resilience of chickens (Gallus domesticus) generally. They are one of the easiest of all domesticated animals to be manipulated and changed to suit the times and the people who raise them.

Well times have certainly changed and now many of the old standards are in danger of becoming extinct. As a result I've spent the first half of my career raising chickens and now I'll spend the rest of my time attempting to secure heritage breeds from extinction.

To this end one of my pet projects is to restore the White Jersey Giant both to American Poultry Standards of Perfection as well as secure enough genetic material to keep the bloodlines secure.

So I am asking everyone that has Giants here to post and let me know about your stock, where you got it, how long you've had it and if you intend to keep your stock.

Since I know most of you will usually only have Black or Blue Giants I still would like you to post here and let me know about them..

Also if you hatch your Black and Blue Giants let me know if you ever get any "whites" (sport) from your hatches and if your will sell them directly to me.

I know there is a good interest in the Blues today so I would remind all you Blue fanciers and fans out that that Blue is a hybrid resulting directly from a White Giant Hen. A single hen mind you from which all Blues can trace back to. So I hope you can see the importance of my work with Whites.

Thank you for reading and helping with my research and work.

Thank you.

Allen W Miller
HillHaven Farm

I just came across white giants (hatchery stock, but...), they really struck my fancy. While I have not purchased any I am curious about feelings about them. Is it possible to get decent white jersey giants from a hatchery? Specifically McMurray hatchery. This is the first I have come across the white variety widely available.

Hi Nickie.

What you will get from Murray McMurray is a nice White Giant but it won't be to APA standards of perfection or mine. Generally what comes from hatcheries tends to be smaller and too inbred to be good examples of the breed.

A good jersey hen should be 8-10pounds and a cock should go 10-13 pounds. Now I've had Jersey Cocks hit 20 pounds caponized for meat production and it's these genetics that I am specifically looking to preserve.

When the Jersey Breed was perfected it was in direct response to the turkey market competition in the 1920's through 50's. The Jersey could compete with any turkey for weight portion but retained a chicken quality that being more tender and juicy.

Now I'm not interested in raising for the meat industry but I want the genetics restored to what they should have been. There are a handful of breeders maintaining the Jersey Black line genetics and a fair amount of people are on the Blue bandwagon but the Whites are genetically strained today.

Having said that if you are looking for a good natured, gentle and docile bird then any Jersey will do and this includes hatchery Giants. Just don't expect the size and weight rather expect hatchery Giants to more closely resemble a Plymouth Rock standard for size.

Thanks for the post and good luck!

I have just purchased a blue roo from marias lines and 6 pullets from mcmurray. mostly cause I just didnt know where else I could get quality for a price I could afford. hopefully they will produce a better than average bird for me. I m just a backyard fella and I know with the slow growth that it will probably be a year before they give back anything. I love this bird though. should be well worth the wait.

AllenWMiller said:

Hi Nickie.

What you will get from Murray McMurray is a nice White Giant but it won't be to APA standards of perfection or mine. Generally what comes from hatcheries tends to be smaller and too inbred to be good examples of the breed.

A good jersey hen should be 8-10pounds and a cock should go 10-13 pounds. Now I've had Jersey Cocks hit 20 pounds caponized for meat production and it's these genetics that I am specifically looking to preserve.

When the Jersey Breed was perfected it was in direct response to the turkey market competition in the 1920's through 50's.  The Jersey could compete with any turkey for weight portion but retained  a chicken quality that being more tender and juicy.

Now I'm not interested in raising for the meat industry but I want the genetics restored to what they should have been. There are a handful of breeders maintaining the Jersey Black line genetics and a fair amount of people are on the Blue bandwagon but the Whites are genetically strained today.

Having said that if you are looking for a good natured, gentle and docile bird then any Jersey will do and this includes hatchery Giants. Just don't expect the size and weight rather expect hatchery Giants to more closely resemble a Plymouth Rock standard for size.

Thanks for the post and good luck!

Click to expand...

Very nicely put without poopooing hatchery birds . While you say any giant will do the white is what did it for me the moment I saw them and I would like the true to breed size. Please keep us all updated on your search, I am very interested in fallowing your journey.


Eta: please accept my apologies on crazy grammar as I'm typing on a phone and autocorrect makes me say some crazy stuff. Maybe I should read my posts before submitting them once in a while.

Thanks Crankster. Maria Hall has fine Blue and Black Jerseys so you have a fine start. Tim Johnson also has fine examples of Jerseys for sale as well.

Good Luck and keep me updated!

I have white Jersey Giants, hatched late August. I got them here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/561909/sq-jersey-white-giant-chicks-update-sold/0_30#post_7249544

Kathy, Thank You for the referral, Looks like our Giant Club continues to Grow.
Hope yours are doing well, wont be long before you get those nice Big Brown Eggs.........


Allen, Expect an email shortly.

Hatching a few Giants and Leghorns today !

Greg

I have 3 Blacks, a cockerel and 2 pullets as well as 12 chicks. Have been hearing a little more about whites so glad to see this thread. I'm very tempted to get whites also but need to build bigger pens first!

I'll hopefully be getting my first set of White Jersey Giant breeding stock this coming week, 1 cockerel and 3 hens. No idea how close they'll be to the standard. My first year with them will simply be getting to know them and raising some/selling some, but I would imagine if all goes well I'll look at a more active breeding program with goals of perfecting the stock. Is there a link to a detailed description of the standard? Thanks