Australorp chicken is a breed of chicken developed in Australia. It is the most common breed of chicken used in meat production worldwide.
Australorp was developed as a dual-purpose breed, meaning it was bred for both egg and meat production.
As the name suggests, Australorps are Australians’ version of the Orpington. Despite their peaceful demeanor, they are outstanding egg producers.
There are traces of green and purple visible in the Australorp’s unusually silky and lustrous black plumage in the sunlight. If you are looking for a pet chicken that can consistently produce eggs, we definitely recommend Australorps.
Australorps are a lovely bird that we highly suggest to anyone looking for a pet chicken that consistently produces eggs.
General overview of Australorp
Contents
Facts About This Breed.
Australian-bred Black Australorp chickens arrived in the US in the early 1920s. For egg production, the Australorp was established from Black Orpingtons that had been brought from England. The Australian initiative had some incredible results, with one bird laying 364 eggs in 365 days.
Even now, Black Australorps are one of the greatest heavy breeds for producing light brown eggs.
In addition to their glossy, greenish-purple-tinged feathers, Black Australorps feature huge red combs.
When fully grown, Australorp cockerels (males) can weigh up to 8 pounds; when fully grown, their pullets (females) can weigh up to 5 pounds.
Having a pinkish-white complexion and plump bodies, Australorps are an ideal breed for both meat and egg production. About five to six months of age, the first pullets begin to lay.
Australorps are calm and gentle creatures who do well in captivity. Small white spots adorn the head and wings of baby chicks, which are otherwise black.
Weight of Australorp
The Australorp chicken is a large breed of chicken in size. The regular Australian Rooster is a small to medium-sized bird weighing between 8 and 10 pounds. The average weight of Australian hens is 7 to 9 pounds, but they can weigh up to 10 pounds.
Bantam Australorp has an average weight of around 3 to 4 pounds for a Rooster and can grow up to 2-4 pounds for a hen. They are also known for their broad breast, legs, and wings.
Here is a quick overview of their weights
Bantam Australorps
Rooster: 3 lbs to 4 lbs.
Hen: 2 lbs to 4 lbs.
Regular Australorps
Rooster: 8 lbs to 10 lbs.
Hen: 7 lbs to 9 lbs.
Color Varieties
What about colors, then? Australorps come in three distinct hues. With a beetle-green sheen and glossy black, the Black Australorp is the most prevalent color.
The Blue Australorp, which has blue-gray feathers with a hint of lacing, follows. The White Australorp is the final species, and it is rarer.
Appearance.
What about colors, then? Australorps come in three distinct hues. With a beetle-green sheen and glossy black, the Black Australorp is the most prevalent color. The Blue Australorp, which has blue-gray feathers with a hint of lacing, follows. The White Australorp is the final species, and it is rarer.
There are many other Australorp color varieties, however, they have not been considered the primary colors since they’re the consequence of breeding the established Australorp color varieties with each other.
Personality.
In terms of temperament, the Australorp is a highly docile and friendly breed that develops a strong bond with its owners. Because they’re so docile, they’re a joy to have in any backyard, whether it’s in a city or a rural setting.
When it comes to keeping your chickens or roosters in a peaceful environment, you won’t have any problems. Their versatility allows them to be used in both confined and free-range poultry operations.
Your flock should not be congested in a small area. Make sure you don’t keep aggressive breeds like Black Australorp chickens and other breeds together. Because the other violent breeds can harm them. As an alternative, you can create a separate coop or area inside your coop for them.
If you’re looking for a breed of chicken that’s both gorgeous and friendly, Black Australorps are an excellent choice.
It’s not uncommon for Australorps to form strong emotional bonds with their owners due to the breed’s mild temperament and placid disposition. As they’re so docile, they are ideal for families with young children since they’re so easy to handle.
The lifespan of Australorps ranges from six to ten years.
Egg Production
The Australorp lays big, light brown eggs and is a powerful layer. For the record, the Australorp breed retains the Guinness Book of World Records for producing the most eggs.
There were six Australorps in a team that laid 1,857 eggs in a year, an average of 309 eggs per hen.
Many more Australorps followed suit, eventually setting a new record of 364 eggs laid over the course of a year. Because of this, the Australorp is an excellent choice if you want a high-producing breed!
None of them, not even the world’s best, can lay an egg every day. As long as they are between the ages of two and three, each of your chickens can produce 4-5 eggs every week.
Starting in her late teens, a hen’s egg production begins to decline by roughly 20% every year.
Feeding
The diet for this breed is fairly simple.
During the egg-laying season, a regular 16 percent layer pellet will suffice. When your baby turns 18 weeks old, you can begin weaning him or her on this formula.
Feeding your birds 18-20 percent protein during molting can aid them to regenerate their feathers fast without exhausting their protein reserves.
Those hens who are in need of extra calcium should be able to get it on their own. Adding too much calcium to a dog’s diet might be just as dangerous as a lack of it.
Insoluble grit may be an option if your ladies are confined to a run.
Here is a quick summary of Australorp
Originating from Black Orpingtons imported to Australia in the 1890s, the Australorp is an Australian breed. Egg production and broodiness were both stressed by Australian breeders when working with Orpingtons, who mated the breed with other varieties such as Langshan, Leghorn, and Minorca.
As a result, they produced an egg-laying bird of amazing prowess. Many egg-laying records have been set by Australorps, including one hen’s record of 364 eggs laid over the course of an entire year.
The name “Australorp” was given to these “Australian Black Orpingtons” circa 1920. In the 1920s, Australorps were imported to the United States and England, where their outstanding egg-laying capacity made them an instant sensation.
They are also a very popular breed today.
This breed is a medium-sized one. Aside from the original black, breeders have developed a number of additional hues, notably Blue and White, which are recognized in Australia.
They’re often peaceful, gentle, and quiet, and they’re excellent pets. In general, the roosters are friendly.
Despite their black feathers, they are reliable winter egg layers that can withstand temperatures of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
In general, they are unable to fly and have a hard time adapting to captivity. Occasionally, the hens may go broody and be excellent mothers.
Small flock owners seeking a dual-purpose breed with hens that really can lay superb brown eggs will find them to be a popular choice in their backyard flocks.
Reference:
Chicken Breeds and Varieties (A2880), John L. Skinner, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lewis, Celia. “Breed Profiles: Australorp.” The Illustrated Guide to Chickens: How to Choose Them, How to Keep Them. New York: Skyhorse Pub., 2011. 50. Print.
