Australorp

Why this fits you

Australorps hold the world record for eggs laid in 365 days (364), and while backyard hens won't hit that pace, 250+ eggs a year from a genuinely docile, cold-hardy bird is a rare combination. They were developed from Orpington stock specifically to improve laying while keeping the calm temperament, and it shows.

Reputation as a layer

The Australorp holds a famous record: a hen laid 364 eggs in 365 days in an Australian laying trial in the 1920s. Typical hens will not approach that, but a good Australorp lays around 250 or more large light brown eggs a year and keeps laying through winter better than many breeds. Eggs per year come with a calm temperament, which is the combination that makes the breed so valued.

Temperament

Australorps are quiet, steady birds that handle confinement and handling well. They get along with most other breeds and are rarely aggressive. They are curious and tame easily if you spend time with them from a young age. Roosters are generally calm too, though individual birds vary.

Size and meat

Hens weigh about 6.5 pounds and roosters about 8.5 pounds, so the breed is a legitimate dual-purpose option, though it is better known for laying than for the table. The black plumage has a green sheen in sunlight. Black feathers absorb heat, which matters in very hot summers, so provide shade.

Climate and housing

The breed adapts well to both cold and warm climates. Standard space of 4 square feet per bird in the coop and 10 square feet in the run suits them, and they roost willingly. They are good foragers when allowed to range but also tolerate a run. A small single comb sits close to the head and is less prone to frostbite than a Leghorn's.

Broodiness and chicks

Australorps may go broody occasionally and make attentive mothers, though not to the degree of a Silkie or Orpington. If you plan to raise your own chicks, expect to use an incubator or a broody hen from another breed some of the time.

Who should choose something else

Choose an Australorp if you want strong egg production without the nervousness of a Leghorn. If maximum eggs per pound of feed is your goal, a Leghorn is slightly more efficient. If you want a very gentle pet bird, a Buff Orpington or Silkie is the better pick.

Winter laying and varieties

Black is the standard colour, and blue and splash varieties exist as well. All hens slow down as daylight shortens, and Australorps are known for continuing to lay better than many breeds through winter, though some decline is normal. Adding artificial light in winter is a choice, not a requirement, and many keepers prefer to let hens rest. Start with pullets from a reputable hatchery or breeder who describes their laying line.

How it compares

Buying checklist

• Standard coop, 4 sq ft per bird indoors
• Works well in mixed flocks with calmer breeds
• Feed ration mixed to ~16% protein once laying

Run the numbers