what is the difference?

[jwchicklady]

How can i tell the difference between a black australorp and a black orpington? I just bought a black pullet from a guy who said he got a bunch of different chicks from a hatchery--so he doesn't know what they are. I am guessing that she is either a black sex-linked or black australorp? How to tell the difference between the 3? my camera isn't working, so no pictures. I am just curious how to tell the difference between them. she is the sweetest pullet.

 

[joedie]

The Black Australorps are solid black and some of the feathers have a shiny green look. The black sex links that have are black with red hackle feathers. Sorry, I don't know what the black orps look like. I'm sure those more experienced will pop in here to answer further.

 

[RAREROO]

If they came from a hatchery, they wouldn't be Black Orps. I'v only heard of one hatchery that has them.

 

[speckledhen]

Most likely, she is a black Australorp. Black Orps aren't that readily available from a hatchery. I know Sandhill Preservation has them and maybe some smaller operations/breeders, but not the big hatcheries that I'm aware of.

Australorps are more tightly feathered than an Orpington, generally. Once, I heard Australorps referred to as "the poor man's Orpington", which I thought was rather interesting.

 

[wordgirl]

Quote:
Do you know what hatchery he got them from?

If there is any reddish-brown in the neck or chest area, then it is most likely a black sex-link, like joedie said.

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
I read the same , with an explanation that they were bred down off smaller Black Orps and some outside breeding to get a bird with more eggs , require less feed because of smaller size , yet retain the appearence and broodiness of the Orpington .

 

[RAREROO]

Quote:
I read the same , with an explanation that they were bred down off smaller Black Orps and some outside breeding to get a bird with more eggs , require less feed because of smaller size , yet retain the appearence and broodiness of the Orpington .

Yep If I remember correcltly they were bred in Austrailia useing Black Orping tons, hense the name Austral Orp.

 

[jwchicklady]

thank you, I am pretty sure she is a black australorp then. she has the greenish sheen that the black orps have--but she is smaller than my buff orps. she is so sweet!