Black Australorp is one of the most popular and preferred chicken breeds across the globe when it comes to the commercial purpose of laying eggs, docile behavior, and good health. This breed was originally bred in Australia and has since crossed over to the world as one of the preferred types of used chicken by backyard hobby farmers and small-scale farmers.
In this article, we will explore the history of Black Australorp, an outline of the appearance of this breed, the care for the breed, and why Black Australorp should be included in your coop.
History and Origins
The Black Australorp breed originated from the late 1800s to early 1900s in Australia’s lands. It was developed from the black Orpington, which is a British breed, by Australian farmers who wanted to enhance the bird’s reproduction capabilities. Their target of breeding was the development of a dual-purpose bird that would both offer chicken and also be a good layer of eggs. Through cross-breeding the Black Orpington with other chicken breeds, including the Rhode Island Red, these farmers were able to develop a perfect bird in both aspects.
Black Australorp rose to the international limelight during the 1920s when a group of hens recorded world record achievers in terms of laying; one hen, particularly, recorded 364 eggs annually. This made the breed stand as one of the most stable layers of poultry, and at the same time, it is a good producer of meat.
Physical Characteristics
Looking at the Black Australorp, one will be endowed with a sight to behold. As the name suggests, it has elongated and glossy black, much like the sheen of a beetle’s body when exposed to light. The shiny appearance gives them a proud and unique look from other groups of birds. These birds are of medium to larger sizes, whereby the hen will weigh between 6 and 8 pounds and the rooster will weigh between 8 and 10 pounds.
There is a red comb, red wattles, and red earlobes despite their black-colored feathers. It also has dark slate-colored legs and feet; it also has a long neck. They are friendly birds, calm in temperament, and generally healthy—all these qualities that make the Wyandotte breed an ideal addition to backyard coops, especially for those who are still new to the trade.
Egg Production
Another aspect that makes the Black Australorp go most popular is that the bird breeds extremely well and lays eggs. The female laying hens can lay between 250 and 300 large, light brown eggs in a year, with some exceptional birds laying even more eggs than these. This has especially made them the order of the day for hobby farming or any small-scale farming that seeks to produce eggs most of the time.
Black Australorps are also good egg-laying chickens that don’t slow down during winter to just sit around and rest, as is common with other high-producing breeds. They are especially useful in areas that experience winter seasons that are long and cold for longer periods or parts of the year. They have also been improved in the area of versatility and endurance, which has solidified their position among the most reliable layers in the poultry business.
Temperament and Behavior
The Black Australorp is known to be calm and friendly, just as other poultry birds are. These birds are usually friendly, and easily tamed, and they stay well with humans and other poultry birds. This makes them a great option for people with children or for anyone who himself/herself is new to raising chickens.
They are not aggressive, which makes them suitable to mingle with other chickens and live harmoniously with other breeds of chicken. As a breed, roosters are not 못 aggressive as compared to other breeds, but individual temperaments may vary.
Hardiness and Care
Another notable characteristic of this bird is that it is rather adaptable as well as represents true stock. It is used in different weathers, and this makes it suitable for either hot or cold environments. They are hardy to cold because of the dense plumage that protects them, hence the name cold-hardy ducks. The fact that the breed is not affected by cold climate means that producers in cold areas will not be affected when it comes to egg production.
Besides, one can note the following advantages: the birds of this breed are not very broody, which means that they do not want to sit on eggs all the time. This trait can be useful to especially those mainly concerned with laying eggs. If you are hoping to get chicks and are broody, you might consider getting a breed that is more inclined to get broody.
Why Should You Buy Black Australorps for Your Farming Enterprise?
Whether you’re a backyard chicken keeper or a small-scale farmer, the Black Australorp is an excellent choice for several reasons: Whether you’re a backyard chicken keeper or a small-scale farmer, the Black Australorp is an excellent choice for several reasons:
Reliable Egg Production:
Heavily built, the Black Australorp is among the few breeds that lay a host of eggs all year round.
Dual Purpose: This breed is a good layer as well as a meat-producing animal which makes it ideal for anyone who wants to keep a sustainable poultry farm.
Docile Nature: They are easy to tame and control, hence capable of being handled by anyone including kids or raw trainers.
Hardiness: Black Australorps are hardy birds that are capable of being raised almost anywhere, including becoming more productive in cold climates.
Conclusion
The Black Australorp is a great-looking pen chicken with great laying qualities, a good temperament, and a friendly disposition. Whether you are a shepherd who farms birds for both meat and eggs or a simple owner who wants to have birds on his compound, this kind of breed will not disappoint you. If well taken care of, these birds will give many years of production and satisfaction, thus being a great asset to any flock.
