Chicken Breed Focus - Australorp

[Diana_burns04]

I love them I had 3.. They are so docile! I named them
Duck, margarita and didn't name the last one

 

[TLCMidMichigan]

The more I read about their laying results, the better I'm inclined to purchase them.
I want to have about 10-12 good laying hens. Maybe a couple of roosters.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I didn't know they were originally called Australian Black Orpingtons. That's so cool! My Black Australorp girls are the sweetest and one is my broody queen -- I can give her eggs any day, any time, and she'll sit like a champ. They're definitely the best moms I've ever had too.

 

[Sevanson Woods]

Blue Australorps

 

[nuthatched]

I just ordered 3 from McMurray...so excited.

 

[Haybaler72]

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/reviews/australorp.10831/
Link to the General breed discussions & FAQ threads.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/australorps-breed-thread.316084/
Link to the Exhibition, Genetics, & Breeding to the Standard of Perfection thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/australorps-breeding-for-sop-and-exhibition-thread.882318/
Thread on egg Laying Age.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ralorps-begin-to-lay-their-first-eggs.535581/

heres our chicky

 

[getaclue]

Sumi, when I saw the first picture, I immediately thought "that's Matt's rooster". Then I looked, and sure enough, it was his. Mine come from his stock.

 

[Celtics33]

I love this breed - probably my second favorite (1st being a Coronation Sussex). They are very sweet, friendly, and docile girls. I still have some left from my original flock from 4 years ago - and yes, they are laying some nice big brown eggs right now! I have some more ordered for this spring and have decided to include an Australorp rooster.

 

[Jac Jac]

I'm smitten and would love to get Australorps - pullets, fertilized eggs and a roo or two - in the Savannah, Ga area soon. Please PM me if you can help. TIA.

 

[DFamChicks]

I have a BA about 4 weeks old. It’s my only BA so I can’t compare to my other breeds but it has a sizeable comb and wattles already. Is there any chance this could still be a hen or is it pretty much guaranteed to be a roo?