Black Australorp Chickens (Hens)
Price: Our prices are very competitive but do vary from batch to batch. Please call store to confirm current price.
Availability: Please call our Sydney store on 02 97475713 to confirm availability before arriving in-store. Please do NOT email regarding availabilty as these emails are not answered from the store.
How to Buy: All our live pets including chickens are in-store pick only, from our Sydney store. So there is no home delivery for our poultry.
Store Address: 56 Coronation Pde, Enfield NSW. (near Strathfield)
About Australorps:
Australorp chickens make great pets and egg layers and are black in colour.
Our Australorps are normally around 17 weeks of age, but age does vary.
Australorp Chickens take longer to begin laying eggs then our popular Isa Brown Breed. Australorp normally begin laying eggs at about 26 to 28 weeks old, where as Isa brown chooks begin at 22 weeks.
If you cant wait for your chooks to start laying its probably best to stick with the Isa Browns.
Vaccination: Yes our Black Australorp Hens are fully vaccinated.
Australorp Chickens
Origin:
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Australorps were developed in Australia in the early 20th century by crossing Black Orpingtons with other breeds, including Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns. The goal was to create a hardy, dual-purpose bird with excellent egg-laying capabilities.
Appearance:
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Australorps are large, heavy birds with a sleek, glossy black plumage that has a greenish sheen in sunlight. They have a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes, with dark eyes and black legs.
Temperament:
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Known for their calm, friendly, and docile nature, Australorps are easy to handle and do well in both free-range and confined environments. They are also good foragers.
Egg Production:
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Australorps are prolific layers, producing around 250-300 large, light brown eggs per year. They are known for their consistency and can lay well even in colder months.
Meat Production:
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As a dual-purpose breed, Australorps have a good body size, making them suitable for meat production. They mature relatively quickly and have a well-rounded carcass.
Hardiness:
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Australorps are hardy birds that adapt well to various climates. They are resistant to many common poultry diseases and thrive in both free-range and confined setups.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Australorp | Leghorn | Isa Brown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Australia | Italy | France |
| Primary Use | Dual-purpose (eggs/meat) | Egg production | Egg production |
| Egg Color | Light brown | White | Brown |
| Egg Production | 250-300/year | 280-320/year | 300-350/year |
| Temperament | Calm, friendly | Active, flighty | Friendly, docile |
| Size | Large, heavy | Small, lightweight | Medium-sized |
| Hardiness | Very hardy | Hardy (prefers warmth) | Very hardy |
| Meat Quality | Good | Poor | Moderate |
Summary
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Australorps are ideal for those seeking a dual-purpose breed with excellent egg production and good meat quality. They are hardy, docile, and adaptable to various climates.
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Leghorns are best for those focused solely on egg production, especially in warmer climates. They are active, efficient layers but less suited for meat production or cold environments.
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Isa Browns are perfect for high egg production in a friendly, low-maintenance bird. They are not typically raised for meat but are excellent layers and adapt well to different conditions.
Each breed has its strengths, so the choice depends on your specific needs (e.g., egg production, meat, temperament, or climate adaptability).
Other Chickens available: White leg horns,, Isa Browns, Baby Isa Brown. Ducks also available
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Out of the chicken breeds you sell (Isa Brown, Leghorns & Australorps) which breed do you recommend as a backyard layer and pet?
A. All three chicken breeds that we sell including the White Leghorns, Black Australorps & Isa-Browns have been selected because they are good egg layers, but if you want the best egg layers its best to go with the Isa Browns. With regards to other considerations, like suitability as a pet, the 3 breeds are very similar and you are more likely to find more significant differences between individual birds then between the breeds of these chickens.
Q. Are your Australorp hens de-beaked, ie had there beaks trimmed?
A. No, since many of customers prefer their chickens with un-trimmed beaks we only stock chickens with full beaks. Some poultry suppliers do this to prevent their poultry from pecking each other. The birds beaks do grow back ofcoarse, but it can make it difficult for trimmed birds to forage and eat larger grains until their beaks grow back. Note - This is not a guarantee that our poultry will always have un-trimmed beaks, but we always do our very best to source such poultry.
Q. I recently bought a White Leghorn and Black Australorp but they dont seem to meet the club standards that ive read online?
A. The club standards you are referring to relate to breeding poultry breeds for show competition. The birds we sell are egg laying stock and are not showbirds. Unless you are looking to compete in show competition these club standards are not relevant to you. Please note that these standards are only cosmetic and do not relate to the health of the bird.