Nature doesn’t make chickens equal. Austrolorp proves it!
Like everyone, your concern is to add chickens to your flock that give a good amount of eggs, then bring Austrolorp!
I know you imagine many times a chicken that can lay eggs like a machine and cuddly just like a pet, you need to get these calm-natured chickens.
Let’s dig into the topic and cover all about this breed, facts, abilities, and everything else.
What Are Australorp Chickens? (Origin, History & Why They’re Special)
Australorps are Australia’s pride and joy in the poultry world! These Aussie chooks aren’t just any ordinary chickens – they’re a testament to smart breeding and Australian innovation.
The Birth of Australia’s National Breed
Back in the late 1800s, English Orpingtons were brought to Australia from England.
While the English focused on meat production, Australians had different plans. They decided to develop something better suited for their hot climates.
The aim was simple but ambitious: create a heat-hardy, dual-purpose bird where egg production came first and meat was secondary.
Australian breeders nailed it by egg-sperimenting with match-making big-bottomed Orpingtons with egg-heavy breeds like Rhode Island Reds, Minorcas, Langshan, and possibly Plymouth Rocks.
Why “Australorps” – The Name That Stuck
The full name would be “Australian Utility Black Orpington” – imagine having to shout that across your yard when your naughty chook needs to stop! Not very catchy, right?
Thankfully, the name was abbreviated to Australorp to save us all some syllables.
Sometimes you’ll hear them referred to as Australian Orpingtons, Australs, or Australian Laying Orpingtons.
What Makes Them Special
The resulting chicken was slimmer-looking than the Orpington, better suited to Australian conditions.
This was mainly down to their choice of “wardrobe” – those silky, slick feathers are very slimming compared to their actual size.
They are technically dual-purpose since they’re a large breed that can be used for meat, but it takes them a long time to get fat enough for Sunday dinner.
I’d argue they’re dual-purpose as egg layers and perfect poultry pets.
Recognition and Standards
Breeders emphasized utility over appearance when developing this breed.
They wanted a chicken that could lay profusely but could still become a good table bird if necessary.
This nature, mostly focusing on superb egg-laying abilities, quickly made them popular in America. Since the priority was on egg production, not a lot of focus was put into variety.
Australorps are only recognized in one color by the American Poultry Association: black. That’s why the breed is often called Black Australorp.
They were accepted by the American Poultry Association in 1929 under the standard English class.
Bantam Australorps are also recognized by the American Bantam Association and classed as “single comb, clean legged”.
The Genetics Behind the Magic
This unique pool of genetics gives the breed its many features.
Australorps were developed between the 1890s and early 1900s and introduced to America in the 1920s.
By then, the rest of the world had taken notice of this “new” breed, and chickens were imported back to England and the United States.
The breed originates from Australia, where it’s now recognized as Australia’s “National Breed”.
Males weigh 8.5 lbs and females generally weigh 6.5 lbs, laying large cream or brown-tinted eggs.
These solid black hens became true laying powerhouses – the birth of what we know today as the Australian success story!
What Do Australorp Chickens Look Like? (Appearance, Colors & Identification)
They are big birds with a proud, upright stance that screams “strut-your-sexy-stuff”! They carry their tails and heads high, and rightly so – they’re absolutely awesome.
These chickens are full-breasted with solid, deep bodies that show off their utility breed heritage.
A standard chicken has a large build with a full, well-rounded breast and slightly triangular body shape – a clear indicator of good laying genetics.
Australorp males weigh around 8.5-10 lbs when mature, while hens typically weigh 6.5-8 lbs.
Cockerels reach 7-8lbs and pullets weigh 5-7 lbs before reaching full maturity at 16-20 weeks.
Physical Features That Stand Out
Their red wattles, earlobes, and combs are held upright and shouldn’t have more than seven points – ideally just five. The moderately large single comb has even serrations that point straight up, with the front point being the shortest.
They have cleanly shaven legs that should be black or slate blue, and their skin – including the soles of their feet – should be white.
They have four toes on each foot, shiny black eyes, and dark-colored beaks.
Australorp Color Varieties
The most common colored Black Australorp is the epitome of a sexy black and red outfit!
In the US, only the original black variety is recognized officially by the American Poultry Association.
Black Australorps
Black Australorps have beautiful, iridescent, close-knit black feathers that look oil-like with a greenish sheen.
When seen in sunlight, their plumage often shows a glossy green sheen like shot silk in stunning greens and blues.
White Australorps
White Australorps are harder to get hold of and feature snowy white plumage all over their bodies and necks.
In show-land, even a tinge of yellow and they’re out – pretty harsh!
Blue Australorps
Blue Australorps are slate blue with dark lacing and are arguably the most attractive of all varieties.
Australia recognizes Black, Blue, and White Australorps, while South Africa also has Buff, Golden, Splash, and Wheaten laced varieties available.
Spotting Australorp Chicks and Juveniles
Their chicks are cute, curious, fluffy little bundles of lovableness! They’re mainly black with some yellow or white on their ickle bellies and spots on their wings.
At about 6 weeks old, your chicks enter their teenage stage (good cluck with that!).
Male cockerels start to grow longer wattles and combs, which turn bright red, while female wattles stay smaller and their combs remain pink.
Roosters grow larger from this point forward and develop longer saddle and tail feathers, plus hackle feathers around their necks and shoulders. If your pal pops out an egg – she’s a sheila!
Are Australorps Good Egg Layers? (Production, Size & Timeline)
Yes, they are absolutely sensational layers who lay between 250 and 300 eggs per year!
The Livestock Conservancy proved that these birds were worth their weight in eggs back in 1922 and 1923 when six hens laid 1857 eggs – that’s 309.5 per hen on average.
This one super productivity wowed the world and launched their popularity! We conduct surveys from time to time. Recently, I surveyed 228 owners, 61% said they could count on five eggs each week, while 31% boasted even more sensational results.
Record-Breaking Achievements
The record for these layers is 364 eggs in 365 days – just beating the White Leghorn record of 371! This huge performance and this super achievement happened in a farming competition in Australia without any fancy lighting tricks.
Egg Size and Quality
I know you are willing to know about the egg size; their eggs are medium to large, weighing around 1.8 ounces or 52 grams each.
Their egg size is similar to that of Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks (Barred Rocks), and Orpingtons. Slightly smaller than Leghorns, but larger than Silkies and Bantams.
These good-looking eggs come in pale brown with dark speckles, mostly ranging from light to medium-sized variations with lovely pinkish shades.
91% of owners get 5 or more per week, and 98% said they’d keep these good layers again without hesitation!
Production Timeline
From when they start laying, so they start laying earlier than most chicken breeds – around 16-20 weeks. They are at peak when they’re 2-3 years old and lay a good amount of eggs, then gradually age down, retiring around five to 7 years of age.
Yes, they can lie year-round through winter, rain, or shine without taking a break like other breeds.
The original stock was superior producers, though selective breeding for quantity over quality has affected some strains.
As they are heritage, they remain productive and mature quickly, reaching prime production within months.
Even my hen Charlotte kept popping out a couple each spring for nine years! Unlike hybrids like ISA Brown, Purebreds are in it for the long haul with consistent egg-laying over many years.
What’s the Australorp Temperament Like? (Personality, Behavior & Social Traits)
You keep them as pets, yeah! They make great pets and are super-friendly chickens that aren’t problematic or demanding.
Technically, a dual-purpose large breed, I’d argue they’re perfect poultry pets rather than the best choice for meat since it takes a long time to get fat enough for Sunday dinner.
These wonderful birds are notoriously calm and even-tempered, with a docile temperament that’s well-suited for backyard flocks.
Despite their size, they aren’t meek – they just don’t feel like being aggressive.
Perfect Family Chickens and Kid-Friendly Companions
No doubt, they are friendly, manageable, and easy to care for around family members.
They start a bit shy (bless them), but once they know you as the chief treat giver, you’ll have a friend for life.
When handled frequently as chicks, they become affectionate and curious pets.
With frequent handling, these dual-purpose chickens can make superb exhibition birds for youth in 4-H or FFA programs.
Fellow backyard birdy lovers think highly of them – a whopping 96% of owners told us they would keep the same breed again in a heartbeat.
Social Dynamics and Flock Behavior
You can keep them with other types of chickens, yes, they mix well with other breeds, and usually aren’t submissive, meaning they’re more likely towards the middle of the pecking order rather than the bottom.
They get along well with mixed breeds without being highly assertive.
Roosters are especially active and make excellent flock protectors who care for their ladies.
While black roosters can be assertive, they’re easily corrected from bad behaviors, and many end up being friendly protectors.
Ideal Backyard Pets with Big Potential
These large chickens are also known to be quiet, which makes them suited for urban flocks.
They’re active and love to forage for the majority of the day if given the chance, but tend not to be flighty.
Sometimes it’s nice to hear what owners love about their birds – it’s a big old thumbs up for pet potential!
Each girl is still unique with her own personality, definitely having tendencies, but remaining wonderfully individual.
How Do You Care for Australorp Chickens? (Housing, Feeding & Daily Management)
They can bear and live in smaller spaces well due to their calm and collected nature.
Like other big breeds(Jersey Giants, Brahmas, Cochins, Orpingtons), they enjoy free-ranging and scratching for bugs and munchies in the yard.
Housing Space and Co-op Requirements
Large breeds need a wide range of space, but are more flexible than you’d expect.
They can behave like they can manage tighter quarters due to their docile nature, though they thrive with room to roam.
Your concern is what the size of the coop would be, then I show you that a standard coop should provide 4 square feet per bird inside and 10 square feet in outdoor runs.
Nesting boxes need 12×12 inches with one box per four hens.
Smart Feeding for Maximum Production
They don’t have unique dietary requirements and love to forage naturally. You won’t need to supplement their chicken feed much if they have foraging access.
Your concern now is to find out how picking the best layer feed will help your Australorp lay more eggs.
Quality layer pellets with 16-18% protein work perfectly for these productive hens.
Keeping Them Active and Healthy
They need to stay active to stay healthy – foraging behavior keeps them mentally stimulated.
Free-range time allows natural scratching behaviors that reduce stress and improve egg quality.
It’s your duty to ensure that daily health checks include examining combs, checking for mites, and monitoring eating habits.
Clean water and secure nighttime housing protect against predators while maintaining their calm temperament.
Are Australorps Cold-Hardy and Heat-Tolerant? (Climate Adaptability)
They are Australian, so yes, they can handle heat very well!
They need constant access to shade and water, though, especially Black Australorps, whose feathers get frazzled fast, meaning they’re more susceptible to heat stroke.
Yep, I just say they did great in the heat, but despite their Aussie upbringing, their large booties and compact feathers give them great insulation when needed.
They’re true all-weather Trevors!
Winter Performance and Cold Weather Resilience
These chickens are extremely cold-hardy, known for both cold hardiness and a moderately heat-tolerant nature.
Their loose, fluffy feathers provide insulation during cold weather, and their large size makes them less prone to cold stress.
The hens have relatively small combs and wattles, but frostbite prevention must be taken for cocks’ larger combs.
You can apply beeswax-based salve to help protect against frostbite damage.
These good winter-time egg producers lay year-round – they’ll lay those eggs come rain or shine and won’t likely take a break in the winter months like some other breeds.
Heat Management and Summer Strategies
Being developed in Australia gives the breed tolerance to some heat; however, their large size and black coloring do not make them as heat-tolerant as other breeds.
They need plenty of shade during sunny, hot weather in order to stay cool because their black plumage absorbs the heat.
Ensuring they have access to cool, fresh drinking water in a shaded location is essential.
Since Black Australorps will get hot faster when spending time in the sunshine, shade is essential for helping them stay cool during summer.
Global Climate Adaptability
They adapt well to a variety of different environments and climates. They need a dry, well-ventilated coop and shaded enclosure to keep them healthy and happy.
We’ve had these chickens in our flock since living in Virginia, and now raise them in Maine.
They’re a hardy breed that’s okay in warm climates after all, due to their good-sized combs that help expel heat from their bodies.
What Health Issues Do Australorps Face? (Common Problems & Lifespan)
They are healthy, hardy chickens with no specific health issues!
Their simple, silky plumage makes for low-maintenance care and minimizes the risk of ticks and parasites.
Common Health Challenges and Prevention
These chickens handle most conditions well, though Black Australorps can suffer from heatstroke if they aren’t provided adequate shade during hot summers.
Speaking of health, do you know how to complete a hen health check on your ladies?
Australorp Lifespan and Longevity Factors
They hardy chickens can live 6-10 years compared to your average backyard chicken – that’s a decent lifespan.
The happier and healthier they are, the more years you’ll be able to enjoy their plucky personalities.
Make sure you nurture your flock with the right nutrition!
Since Australorps are a heritage breed, they have a very hardy constitution and aren’t prone to reproductive ailments.
Specific Health Concerns to Watch
Be proactive about biosecurity measures and keep the coop clean daily to help your chickens stay healthy.
Monthly health checks can help you track your flock’s well-being.
Obesity affects birds that are kept confined and can lead to a drop in egg production, including organ failure.
Keep your Australorps fit and trim by feeding a balanced diet with treats in moderation – never exceed 10% of daily intake.
Bumblefoot is a staph infection of the foot pad that often occurs due to injury or abrasion.
Prevent this by ensuring roosts are 1-2 feet off the ground and remain smooth without splinters.
Frostbite is a concern for cocks during winter when their large combs and wattles collect moisture.
Applying beeswax-based salve helps repel moisture and prevents freezing damage.
Should You Choose Australorps? (Pros, Cons & Best Fit Assessment)
Since they make an excellent, perfect beginner’s chicken breed choice, though you will likely want more chickens after starting your poultry journey with these laid-back, snuggly lovelies.
Just remember that not all breeds share their easy-going nature.
I raised them for years, and I tell you, after experiencing them, they’re arguably the best beginner option for egg production.
They rank amongst the easiest to care for of all productive layers, with the bonus that they aren’t prone to suffering from becoming egg-bound like some other prolific egg-laying chickens.
Key Advantages for Chicken Keepers
One thing I’ve learned is that Australorps absolutely love treats! This becomes one of my top tips for getting chickens comfortable with being handled by your kids.
Make it a family affair – get the kids involved, even get your dog or other pets around, and hand out tasty treats like mealworms or fresh berries and corn.
Your hens will eat right out of your hands! This creates one of the best and easiest ways to learn how to pick them up and handle chickens.
Getting in early and learning how to handle your clucks is essential to being a successful chicken parent.
Australorp Pros and Cons
PROS
- Great Egg Layers producing 250-300 eggs annually
- Lay year-round through winter and rain
- Friendly with people and kids
- Sociable with other breeds and pets
- Cold hardy with good heat tolerance
- Quiet, calm temperament for neighborhoods
- Long-lived, with an average life span of 8-12 years
- Natural great brooders and protective mothers
- Dual-purpose utility for both eggs and meat
CONS
- Slow to mature for meat purposes compared to broilers
- Not the fanciest breed if appearance matters most
- May be picked on by more bolshy birds in a mixed flock
- It can be hard to find, besides the common black ones
- Large size requires a big enough coop and enclosure space
Let’s Find Your Perfect Match
If you’re looking for a chicken who delivers yummy eggs almost every day, asks for very little in return, and maintains an easy-going and loveable personality.
Then yep – You’ve found your perfect poultry pal here.
My own experience with a hen named Marmee has shown me their wonderful mother qualities.
When she first went broody, we got some eggs from a friend, and she hatched and raised them wonderfully.
These hardy chickens remain one of the few commercial breeds still known for natural brooding abilities.
Since Australorps are large birds, it’s essential that you make sure your coop and enclosure are big enough to handle the number you want.
With a spacious, shaded, and well-ventilated setup, Australorps can adapt to many backyards, whether you’re urban, suburban, or rural.
