Australorp chickens are a popular breed known for their friendly personalities, excellent egg-laying abilities, and resilience in various climates. Today, they are one of the most sought-after breeds for backyard chicken keepers and commercial farmers alike.
In this article, we’ll dive into the many attributes of Australorps, including their egg-laying habits, cold hardiness, free-range abilities, and more. We’ll also discuss how to go about purchasing your Australorps.
Where Did Australorps Come From?
Australorp chickens hail from Australia, where they were developed in the early 1900s by breeding Black Orpington chickens with other breeds, such as Rhode Island Reds and Minorcas. The goal was to create a chicken breed that would excel in both meat and egg production. The breed’s name is derived from the combination of “Australian” and “Orpington.”
By 1920, Australorps had become immensely popular in Australia and were exported to other countries, including the United States.
What Color are Australorps?
Australorps are typically solid black, with a greenish sheen to their feathers in certain lighting. However, there are also blue and white varieties of Australorps, which are less common. These color variations are a result of selective breeding and are not as widely recognized as the standard black variety. The black Australorp color pattern is prized for its striking appearance and is one of the breed’s defining characteristics.
How much do Australorps Weigh?
Australorp hens typically weigh between 5-7 pounds (2.3-3.2 kg), with some larger individuals reaching up to 8 pounds (3.6 kg). Roosters, on the other hand, are generally larger, weighing between 6-8 pounds (2.7-3.6 kg), with some larger individuals weighing up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg). These weight ranges make Australorps a medium-sized breed of chicken.
Are Australorps Friendly?
Generally, Australorps are known for their friendly and calm temperament, making them an ideal breed for novice chicken keepers or those with young children. They tend to be docile and easy-going, with a reputation for being among the most gentle and friendly of chicken breeds. Australorps are also known to be quite sociable and enjoy the company of their human keepers, often following them around and seeking out attention.
Australorps also integrate quite well with other breeds. You shouldn’t have many issues putting these chickens with other breeds.
Are Australorps Broody?
In total, Australorps will go broody occasionally. While some farmers report they have Australorps go broody often, others report they rarely go broody. If you’re planning on raising more Australorps yourself, I recommend using an incubator since the hens can’t be relied on to go broody.
If you’re looking for a broody hen, you should look into my article on Buff Orpingtons!
Are Australorps Good Layers?
Australorps are highly regarded for their exceptional egg-laying abilities, making them a popular choice for backyard chicken keepers and commercial egg farmers alike. These birds are known to lay between 250 and 300 eggs per year, and their eggs are typically large and brown in color. In fact, Australorps hold the world record for egg-laying, with one hen laying 364 eggs in 365 days! Australorp eggs are also known for their high quality, with firm whites and rich, flavorful yolks. Overall, if you’re looking for a breed that can produce a reliable supply of delicious and nutritious eggs, the Australorp is an excellent choice.
To see a list of the 15 best egg-laying chickens, check out my article on The 15 Best Egg Laying Chicken Breeds! Spoiler alert, Australorps made the list!
Are Australorps Cold Hardy?
Australorps are known for their excellent cold hardiness and ability to thrive in cooler climates. These chickens have a thick layer of feathers that helps to insulate them from the cold, and they are able to adapt to a range of temperatures.
In fact, Australorps were originally bred in Australia, where they were able to withstand both hot summers and cold winters. If you live in a colder climate and are looking for a breed of chicken that can handle the chill, the Australorp is a great option. Just be sure to provide them with a dry, draft-free coop and access to fresh water, as cold temperatures can cause their water to freeze.
I wrote an article on the 10 best chicken breeds for cold climates, check it out to see if Australorps made the list!
Are Australorps Good in Hot Climates?
In total, Australorps are known for their ability to adapt to hot climates. As mentioned earlier, these chickens were originally bred in Australia, where they had to withstand hot summers with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) regularly. The record temperature is 127 degrees Fahrenheit!
The breed has developed a number of adaptations to help them cope with high temperatures, including a single comb that allows for better heat dissipation.
Additionally, Australorps are known to be good foragers and can find food and water even in hot, dry conditions.
If you live in a hot climate and are looking for a breed of chicken that can handle the heat, the Australorp is a great option. Just be sure to provide them with shade, plenty of cool, fresh water, and a well-ventilated coop to help them stay comfortable.
Check out my article on the Top 5 Chicken Breeds for Hot Weather to see if Australorps made the list!
Are Australorps Good Free-Range Chickens?
On average, Australorps are known to be good free-ranging chickens. They are active birds that enjoy foraging for their food, and they are also good at fending for themselves when left to roam.
As long as you provide them with a safe and secure area to free-range, they will happily spend their days exploring and finding food on their own.
Additionally, because Australorps are excellent foragers, they can help to reduce the amount of feed you need to provide, which can save you money in the long run. However, it’s important to keep in mind that free-ranging chickens are more susceptible to predators and diseases, so you’ll need to take steps to protect your flock if you choose to let them roam freely.
Something to strongly consider is when, and how long you should let your chickens free-range. To see a guide on this, check out my article on How Long You Should Let Your Chickens Free-Range.
What’s the Lifespan of an Australorp?
On average, these chickens can live for 6 to 8 years. The lifespan of an Australorp can vary depending on factors such as diet, living conditions, and overall health. However, with proper care, some Australorps have been known to live for 10 years or more.
To keep your chicken happy and healthy, consider a high-quality laying pellet or layer crumble. To help you decide on pellets vs crumble, check out my article on Laying Pellets vs Layer Crumble!
Where to Get Australorp Chickens
On average, the best place to get Australorp chickens is through an online hatchery such as Hoovers or Mcmurray. These sites are trusted and have a great selection of chicks for you to choose from!
Generally, you can buy chickens locally but you’re at the store’s mercy on what breeds they have at the time. I went to my local Tractor Supply and they had 4 breeds available at the time. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any Australorps and weren’t sure they were going to get any this year.
The store representative instructed me to go online to their website and buy them there. Their website just redirected me to Hoovers Hatchery!
Although Australorps are a popular breed, there are even more popular breeds, such as the White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds. It may be difficult to find Australorps at your local farm and ranch stores, and it’s possible that you may never be able to acquire them.
If you can find Australorps locally, I recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity and acquire as many as you need, as purchasing them online could result in a minimum shipping fee that varies per online hatchery site.
Incubating Australorps
Incubating is a fantastic way to get an Australorp flock started. If you know someone near you with some Australorps, ask if you can buy some eggs from them (provided they have a rooster in with their hens). You can then buy an incubator and hatch as many as you want! Simply raise the hens and roosters from your first purchase, then once they start laying, use their eggs to keep hatching more hens.
If you start looking for an incubator to purchase, I’ve written an article on Still air vs Circulated air to help you pick out which one would be best for you!
Australorp Overview
| Characteristics | Information |
|---|---|
| Origin | Australia |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Feather Color | Black with Greenish Sheen |
| Weight | Hens: 5-7 lbs, Roosters: 6-8 lbs |
| Temperament | Docile and Friendly |
| Broody | Occasionally |
| Eggs Per Year | 250-300 |
| Ideal Climates | All Climates |
| Free-Ranging Capabilities | Excellent |
| Lifespan | 6-8 Years |
Conclusion
I hope this guide helped you learn all about Australorps, and if you liked this guide be sure to check out some of my other articles!
This article was originally published on farmapt.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.