Black Australorp chickens have been developed in Australia by crossing black Orpingtons from England with different breeds which can be good egg layers. The concept was to develop farmstead chickens that excel in egg manufacturing. The breed identify comes from combining the phrases Australia and Orpington.
Bodily Attributes
America favors Australorps which can be black, though extra colours can be found in different nations. Throughout early levels of growth, black Australorps usually have a number of white feathers. By maturity, although, all of the feathers are strong black.
Even the beak is black. The legs, which lack feathers, are both darkish grey or black. The medium-size upright single comb is vivid purple — a putting distinction in opposition to the black feathers.
Australorp feathering is pretty tight. That, mixed with the shiny black shade, make these chickens vulnerable to overheating except they’ve shady areas to loll in throughout the heat summer time months.
Black Australorp chickens have been first imported to america within the early Twenties. They entered the American Commonplace of Perfection in 1929.
Breed Qualities
Australorps are adaptable chickens, though they do considerably higher in a chilly local weather than in a heat local weather. The hens are prolific layers that usually proceed producing all through the winter.
Australorp hens lay some 200 to 280 massive eggs per yr with gentle brown shells. They’re good setters, and their quiet disposition makes them attentive as broodies.
Australorps like to forage, and free ranging retains them lively. When allowed to forage, they’re much less prone to develop into obese and thus much less productive.
Australorps are generally raised for meat, though their black feathers make them a bit tough to pluck. They’ve a bonus, although, of being quick rising. Roosters mature to about 8½ kilos, hens to 6½ kilos.
This breed is light in temperament. Each hens and roosters have a pleasant disposition that makes them particularly straightforward to coach. Black Australorp chickens are a superb alternative for first-time rooster keepers, particularly kids, and are fashionable for 4-H and FFA initiatives.
Useful Hyperlinks
Orpington Chickens within the Heritage Breed Highlight
Australorp or Black Jersey Big — What’s the Distinction?
At What Age Do Hens Begin Laying Eggs?
Black Australorp Chickens & Hatching Eggs Supplied by Cackle Hatchery®
Ought to I Begin with Chicks or Hatching Eggs?
And that’s at this time’s information from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has written quite a few books about poultry, together with The Hen Encyclopedia.
