Black Australorp
Feathers Plus
Is the Black Australorp right for your flock?
- World record egg layer – in the 1920s, an Australorp chicken was the egg-laying world record holder.
- Dual-purpose – these birds were created to be good for both egg and meat production.
- Hardy – The Black Australorp is tolerant of heat and cold, making them suitable for most climates
- Friendly – Although shy to begin with, once they become used to you, they are a very calm and friendly breed
- Good for beginners and children – Their good nature, hardiness, and utility qualities make them an ideal choice
Breed Facts
- Poultry Show Class: English Class
- Weights: Hen—–6 1/2 lbs
Rooster——8 1/2 lbs
Pullet—5 1/2 lbs
Cockerel—-7 1/2 lbs - Purpose and Type: Primary production, Egg Laying & Pet/Secondary meat source
- Egg Shell Color: Brown
- Egg Production: 200-280 eggs per year
- Egg Size: Large
- Temperament: Active Yet Gentle
- Gender Accuracy: 85-90%
- Fertility Percentage: 65-80%
- Broody: Setter
- Mating Ratio: 10 Females to 1 Males
- Roost Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Country of Origin: Australia
- APA: Yes, Recognized by the American Standard of Perfection in 1929.
- TLC: Recovering Status, Considered a sustainable heritage chicken breed
Egg Laying
An Australorp’s egg production usually begins when it is between 22 and 24 weeks old.
The average Australorp hen in a backyard setting will lay between 250 and 300 delicious eggs per year.
It is not realistic to expect your one chicken to lay 309 eggs in 365 days (like the world record) but they sure come close!
When they are around 4 years old, their egg production will begin to decrease. Some may stop laying completely in older age. Their life expectancy is around 8 years.
Like all hens, they will stop laying when they are molting. This is usually for 6 to 12 weeks every autumn. During this time, chickens are using all their nutrients to replenish their feathers and are unable to also produce eggs.
During winter, Australorp chickens will lay fewer eggs and sometimes stop laying completely until it warms back up again.
Their life expectancy is around 8 years.
Breeding
The Australor will go broody occasionally, but not more than the average hen. Remove eggs from their coop daily to prevent broody behavior in this breed.
Australorp owners report that their mothering abilities can vary greatly from bird to bird. Some will make good nest sitters if you are looking to hatch fertile eggs. Others aren’t interested at all.
Australorp chicks typically hatch after 21 days.
Temperment
The Australorp is a very docile breed. They are easy to approach and handle.
They are sweet birds that don’t mind interacting with humans, other chickens, and other pets (as long as they have been socialized together from an early age).
This makes them simple to care for and a great chicken for beginners or families with children.
The Australorp is a hardy breed and handles cold weather quite well.
They are quiet birds that don’t make as much noise as other breeds.
What age does Australorps start laying?
They also start laying sooner. Many breeds will start producing eggs around 6 months of age, but a Black Australorp can start as early as 16 weeks. Experienced chicken keepers give these tips to folks just starting. As a large-bodied bird, an adult Black Australorp hen will weigh around 6.5 pounds.
How old is the oldest chicken egg?
around 1,700 years old
An intact chicken egg estimated to be around 1,700 years old is believed to be the only of its type in the world after scientists found it still had liquid inside.
In 2010, four ancient eggs were uncovered by archaeologists in Aylesbury, England. They were found along with a basket, pottery, leather shoes, and other items. Dating these objects allowed researchers to approximate the age of the eggs as well. These chicken eggs turned out to be around two millennia old! Three cracked during excavation, but a single "Aylesbury egg" survived. More recently, a scan has revealed that this egg still contains liquid inside it. An intact egg of this age is indeed a rare discovery and has made headlines worldwide.
Recognized by the American Standard of Perfection as a distinct pure breed of poultry in 1929, this chicken breed makes an excellent winter-laying hen. They are known for their shiny rich black feathering. Always make sure you have shady areas for the Black Australorp chicken so they do not overheat in the summer.