Hello, and welcome to my article about the Australorp.
An Australorp is a Dual Purpose breed developed by Australian breeders in the early 1900s.
They were bred from these specific breeds: The Black Orpington, Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn, Langshan, and Plymouth Rock.
The Australians settled on the name Australorp, which stands for Australian Black Orpington.
They are known to lay about 300 large brown eggs a year, and actually set the world record for amount of eggs in a year: 364.
They start laying eggs at about 4 months, (earlier then most birds) and 10% of hens go broody.
They are very heat and cold hardy, and they bear confinement well, even though they would much rather be free ranged.
They are very docile, friendly, and some can even become lap chickens. They are very suitable to be great backyard family chickens,
and they are very gentle with children. An Australorp hen will weigh about 6 pounds, and a rooster 8.
They also grow very quickly so don't expect to have your chick in the brooder for that long.
Australorps are large, heavy and very beautiful. They have close fitting feathers. They are soft feathered chicken with an upright stance.
Australorps are broad across the saddles and shoulders. Both hens and roosters hold their compact tails high. Their bright red faces and black feathers with a beetle green sheen give them a striking look, which make them different from other breeds.
They have red colored wattles and single combs. Their combs do not have more than seven serrations and they always keep it upright.
I hope my article was helpful!
