Breed Focus, About the Australorp

The Australorp is a great choice if your looking for an excellent layer of large brown eggs. Expect approximately five eggs per week from this *dual purpose bird. Their color is black, weight at maturity is 7-8 pounds, they are docile, friendly, and considered shy.

australorp-hen

About the Australorp

  • Single Comb
  • 4 Toes
  • Broody/Setter
  • Confines Well
  • Average, 260 Eggs Yearly
  • Cold Hardy
  • Class: English • Rarity: Common

The Australorp is of Australian origin, developed as a utility breed with a focus on egg laying. It achieved world wide popularity in the 1920s after the breed broke numerous world records for number of eggs laid. The most popular color is black, which is the only color recognized in the United States. However, blue and white are also recognized in its home country. South Africa recognizes buff, splash, wheaten laced and golden as well.

The Australorp is a great starter bird if your new to chicken keeping. The chicks are hardy and very easy to raise.
* Dual Purpose: provides 2 kinds of resources, meat & eggs.

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Orpington

The Orpington is one of my favorite breeds. They are very sweet, friendly, and seldom bullies towards the other members of the flock. However, living in the desert where the temperatures reach well over 110 they have proven their tolerance for heat to be quite low. Especially considering they can be broody and won’t leave the coop where temperatures can be life threatening. Every situation is different and they may be fine as free range chickens with plenty of shade and water.

Details of the Buff Orpington:

  • Type:   Large Fowl & Bantam
  • Size:   7-8 pounds
  • Purpose:   Dual (meat or egg production)
  • Recognized Varieties:   Buff, Black, Blue, White, (buff is most common.)

Eggs:

  • Color:  Brown
  • Size:  Large
  • Frequency:  3-4 per week

Breed Features:

  • Feathered Legs: No
  • Crested: No
  • Comb Type: Single Comb
  • Number of Toes: 4

Character & Traits:

  • Accepts confinement well
  • Cold Hardy
  • Heat tolerant to 100 degrees
  • Docile, friendly
  • Broody / Setter
  • Good layers through the winter
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