Australorp Qualities

Australorps fall under the category of “utility chicken.” Breeders cross bred Australorps with the utilitarian goal of egg production in which they succeeded. In fact, Australorps hold the world's individual record and even a team record for egg laying. They usually lay five, light-brown eggs a week from five months of age onward. Although bred for egg production, Australorps adequately qualify as a dual-purpose chicken. Large and meaty they reach butchering age at eighteen weeks. The hardy Australorps bear up well to cold weather and confinement. Very ordinary in most categories, Australorps when taken as a whole rank as truly a very extraordinary chicken.

Australorp Temperament

Australorp owners say little about the temperament of the breed primarily because Australorps cause very little problem. Temperament descriptors read, “calm,friendly, peaceful, dignified, , sweet, and shy. Breeders classify the most radical Asutralorp as “active.” Their careful breeding has created an active chicken without creating a flighty or feisty one. They like to brood, fly little, fight less, and stay close to the coop.

Australorp Apeparance

The Australorp, every man's chicken, has a solid, ordinary look. They have a solid black plumage with hints of green or purple hue in direct sunlight set off with a single red comb, medium matching wattles, red earlobes, and dark eyes. They sport no crest or feathers. Handsome but not showy, the Australorp looks the very part of a blue-collar chicken that just does his/her job without fanfare. In recent years breeders have introduced two new lines in the breed: a blue and a white Australorp.

Australorp Upkeep

Build a standard coop and run for your Australorp flock. Insulate for heat retention in the winter and heat reduction in the summer. Eliminate drafts. Australorps like to forage as do most egg layers. Build a spacious clean run for them. Australorps lay well into the winter months without electric lights. However, artificial lighting always increases egg production. Using a timer, add the light to the morning hours. They need to have a natural sunset with the light fading gradually. Sudden darkness will frighten your chickens and decrease egg production. Use a good “layer” feed that contains elysine, methionine, calcium, and phosphorus to support the prodigious egg production of this breed. Feed ad libitum.