Raising Australorps: The Record-Setting Layer
A guide to Australorps - an Australian breed developed for laying, a glossy black, hardy, calm hen ranking among the most prolific brown-egg layers in the world while staying easy to keep.
Australorps were bred in Australia for one thing above all - laying - and they excel at it, holding historic egg-production records and remaining among the most prolific brown-egg layers you can keep. Beyond the numbers, they are glossy black beauties with a green sheen, calm, hardy and beginner-friendly. For maximum eggs from an easy, good-natured hen, they are hard to beat.
Is it right for you?
Australorps suit anyone who wants maximum eggs from a calm, hardy, easy hen. They are as productive as the best layers while being far more docile than high-strung production hybrids.
Space & Housing
A standard coop and run suits them; they forage well and tolerate confinement. Give a few square feet of coop and several of run per bird, and predator-proof it.
Feeding & Daily Care
Feed a quality layer ration plus scraps and forage, with grit and constant water; heavy layers need good nutrition. Daily care is food, water and egg collection.
Getting Started
Start with a few pullets, provide a secure coop, and expect a heavy flow of eggs by around five to six months.
Health & Common Problems
Hardy and cold-tolerant; heavy laying draws on their reserves, so good nutrition and calcium matter. Watch for the usual mites, worms and standard ailments.
What You Get
A heavy, dependable supply of large brown eggs - among the most of any breed - from a calm, handleable hen.
Costs & Effort
Low relative to their output - excellent feed-to-egg efficiency and a docile nature make them one of the most rewarding layers.
Common Mistakes
Skimping on nutrition and calcium for such heavy layers, and weak predator-proofing, are the usual mistakes.
FAQ
Best layer? Among the very best brown-egg layers, with historic records to prove it.
Calm? Yes - docile and beginner-friendly, unlike some high-output hybrids.