I've got 2 roos and 16 hens. 1 silkie hen and 1 silkie roo. 1 english orp roo and 7 english orp hens. The rest are mixed. I have some growing up that will have a roo when he's old enough.
These are all absolutely beautiful birds but I'm partial to BLACK Australorps. Likely because I was never aware of the other phases until fairly recently. I guess they could grow on me but I'm still planning to try to get some SOP black birds by winter...looking for a trio of half grown birds.The Australorp is an Australian breed which was developed from Black Orpingtons imported into Australia starting around 1890. The egg laying ability of the Orpingtons was emphasized by the Australian breeders, and other breeds including Minorca, Leghorns, and Langshans were bred into the lines to increase egg production and decrease broodiness. The result was a bird with exceptional egg laying ability. They were popular entries in egg laying contests in the day, and for years Australorps held many of the world egg laying records, one hen famously laying 364 eggs in 365 days.
These "Australian Black Orpingtons" were given the name Australorp around 1920. Australorps were exported in the US and England in the 1920’s, where they were an immediate hit because of their great egg laying ability, and they remain a very popular breed to this day.
Australorps are a medium sized breed. The APA recognises only one color, the original Black, but there are several other colors developed by breeders, including Blue and White, which is recognized in Australia.
They tend to be calm, docile, fairly quiet birds, with nice temperaments and they make good pets. The roosters are generally good natured. They are dependable winter layers of big brown eggs, fairly heat tolerant despite the usually black feathers, and quite cold hardy. They generally do not fly well and take well to confinement. The hens will occasionally go broody and make good mothers. They are very popular with backyard flock owners looking for a friendly productive brown egg layer, and small flock owners looking for a duel purpose breed with hens that have excellent laying ability.
It was recognized by the APA in 1929 and it is on The Livestock Conservancy's Recovering list.
Details:
Breed purpose: Duel Purpose, egg layer.
Comb Type: Single
Broodiness: Occasional
Climate Tolerance: Heat tolerant, Cold hardy
Weight: Roosters 8.5 lbs, Hens 6.5 lbs.
Egg Productivity: Good
Egg Size: Large
Egg Color: Brown
Pictures:
Australorp Rooster, picture @Mat1616
Australorp Rooster, picture @tigercreek
Australorp Rooster, picture @maddogdodge
Australorp Hen, picture @Dees Hens
Australorp Hen, picture @maddogdodge
Australorp Pullet, picture @Stormview
Australorp Chick, picture @Shawneegyrl
Link to the BYC Breed reviews.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/australorp
Link to the General breed discussions & FAQ threads.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/316084/australorps-breed-thread/0_20
Link to the Exhibition, Genetics, & Breeding to the Standard of Perfection thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/882318/australorps-breeding-for-sop-and-exhibition-thread/0_20
Thread on egg Laying Age.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ustralorps-begin-to-lay-their-first-eggs/0_20
Well gander has been confirmed i have a black austorlorp that sounds like a GOOSE honking when he tries to crow...
I have an australorp and she is mean when penned with the other hens. Some have bare backs and she pecks at them as if she's having a snack. I have to put her in a separate cage at night when I lock them up. I also caught her eating an eggs one of the hens laid while free ranging. She's nice to people, She actually follows me around the yard talking to me. I also have 2 maran/australorp hens and an EE mixed with some thing that does not lay a colored eggs. I have a black giant jersey and 2 buff orp pullets and 2 emglish orps that all run together. I took the roo away so the hens backs can grow feathers. My matriarch hen is an orp. She's got a bumm leg but it don't stop her. I think it's artheritis since I couldn't find any injury. She's about 6 or 7 years old and the only one in the yard with a name. Olivia. Maybe when I put my roo back with the hens I can send you some eggs. It will be a while since they are growing feathers back. If you want PM me your address and i'll send some when they come available. That is if your in the United States.
