Australorp wimp were one of the first chicken breed I ever raised and to particular date , they are still one of my favorites .
Their exceptional egg production qualities paired with companionable and friendly disposition make them gross choices for any flock .
Australorps also have admirable two-fold purpose characteristics , so extra roosters and spent hen can be run through without waste .
About Australorp Chickens
The name of this crybaby breed in reality tells a decent amount about the chronicle of them . Australorps were multiply in Australia using Orpington caudex that had been imported from England , hence the name Austral - orp .
In plus to the Orpingtons used to breed Australorps , White Leghorns , Minorcas and Langshans were used in spawn this bird . The first semblance variety was a Black Australorp , but there are now several color varieties such as Blue , Splash , and White Australorps .
Australorp Characteristics
1. Size and Weight
Australorps are of fairly large size and weight , which is what makes them such great two-fold determination wench .
Australorp roosters typically librate between 8 and 9 pounds . Hens are a bit smaller , weighing around 6 to7 pounds .
2. Temperament
Australorps are well known for their honeyed and gentle disposition . I ’ve owned over 100 cock in my years of chicken keeping and the sweetest of all of them stand out : Finn , the Black Australorp rooster .
Australorp hens make warm and attentive mother . For any mob flock , these are fantabulous razz to have around your small-scale chicken keepers .
3. Egg Production
These hens certainly do n’t disappoint in the testis - laying section ! One Australorp hen holds the Earth disk for most testicle laid in a yr , lay a amount of 364 eggs in a 365 24-hour interval period .
Under normal atmospheric condition in your backyard , a hen can lie around 250 turgid brown egg in a year .
4. Meat Production
While they might not be the in force meat producers , Australorps can put up a decent amount of meat for a duple purpose breed .
If you have an redundant cock or some pass hens , they will be worth your time to butcher and cast off in the freezer .
Taking Care of Australorps
1. Feeding and Nutrition
When your Australorps arechicks , supply them with chick newbie / grower until 16 - 18 weeks of eld .
Once your youthful birds are 16 - 18 weeks honest-to-goodness , you may transition them to a goodlaying feed .
When your hens are lay , supply them with supplemental calcium in a disjoined stunner so they can eat it as they need some .
2. Housing and Fencing
Australorps do well complimentary ranging if you have elbow room for it , but you could also keep your deal in a broad rill and they will be satisfied .
Inside thecoop , a minimum of 3 - 4 hearty human foot per bird is advised to make trusted everyone has enough space .
In a run , supply at least 10 square feet per wench so your chicken have plentifulness of way to stretch their leg .
3. Health Issues and Care
Australorps are in reality rather robust bird that do n’t have any specific susceptibilities to health issues .
Of course , all birds can have health payoff , but Australorps are stalwart birds if they are well sustain .
Keep an eye out for external parasite and manage these pesterer by keepingclean coopand deter fantastic birds .
4. Breeding
This breedis a good breed to work with , particularly for someone with less experience in chicken gentility .
The self-coloured colorful feathers are easier to breed because you do n’t have to vex about a sly lacing or sequin as you might with some strain .
The first chicks I ever hatch were Black Australorps and they provided a bully deal of learning and joy for me .
Alternative Breeds
1. Orpingtons
If you ’re after a slightly larger shuttle with some more color varieties available than Australorps , Orpingtonsmake a just alternative .
Orpington are just as friendly as Australorps , but a bit more enatic than Australorps . Available in some laced varieties , Orpingtons can provide a bit more center candy than an Australorp might .
2. Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rocksare another dual - function breed with very exchangeable egg and pith production qualities to Australorps .
These are generally a bit friendly than Australorps , with less of a tendency to go ruminative .
Plymouth Rocks come in partridge , bar and some solid coloring variance , so you’re able to take your pick .
3. Sussex
Sussexare a fun breed to bring up , another one of my favorite and fairly similar to Australorps .
These birds have egg production like to Australorps , but conduct a bit more inwardness on their carcase . Sussex will be very favorable , rum and make incredible mothers .
Fun Facts About Australorps
An experiment in the 1920 ’s gained Australorps a big amount of identification . Under normal condition with no extra ignitor , a flock of six Australorp hens laid 1,857 ballock in one year , with an average of about 309 eggs per hen . This experiment set a world record and Australorps became a extremely sought after stock .
Few wimp keepers have been let down by the performance of Australorps . From barnyard pets to heedful mothers and flock defender , Australorps do not disappoint in any section .
add together a few of these fun hiss to your next chick social club , chances are , you wo n’t regret it !
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