Buy Black Australorp Chicken Online
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Black Australorp Chicken
Breed Facts
- Poultry Show Class: English Class
- Weights: Hen—–6 1/2 lbs
Rooster——8 1/2 lbs
Pullet—5 1/2 lbs
Cockerel—-7 1/2 lbs - Purpose and Type: Primary production, Dual Purpose
- Egg Shell Color: Light Brown
- Egg Production: 250-280 eggs per year (estimates only, see FAQ)
- Egg Size: Large
- Temperament: Active Yet Gentle
- Gender Accuracy: 85-90%
- Fertility Percentage: 65-80%
- Broody: No
- Mating Ratio: 10 Females to 1 Males
- Roost Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Country of Origin: Australia
- APA: Yes, Recognized by the American Standard of Perfection in 1929.
- TLC: Not Listed
- BREEDER FARM SOURCE: Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing our bloodline or strain of pure Black Australorp since 1936.
Black Australorp Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Black Australorp chicken is a calm, dependable brown egg layer with beautiful glossy black plumage and a friendly backyard temperament. If you want a useful bird that lays well, handles winter, and fits nicely into a family flock, the Black Australorp is an easy breed to like.
Australorps originated in Australia from Black Orpington stock imported from England. Australian breeders selected those birds for stronger egg production, while still keeping useful body size and a gentle disposition. The breed name combines Australia and Orpington, which gives a good clue to its background. Cackle Hatchery’s article Black Australorp Chickens in the Heritage Breed Spotlight explains that breeders developed Australorps as farmstead chickens that excelled in egg production.
The American Poultry Association recognized the Black Australorp in 1929. Today, this breed remains a favorite with backyard keepers because it brings together eggs, calm temperament, good body size, and a handsome appearance.
Appearance and Characteristics
Black Australorps are best known for their rich black feathering with a beetle-green sheen. In sunlight, the plumage can look almost iridescent, which makes these birds stand out even in a mixed flock.
Young birds may show a few white feathers during their first and second feathering stages. That is normal. By around 6 months of age, they should mature into solid black adult plumage.
These birds have a practical dual-purpose body and a calm, steady presence. They are active enough to forage and enjoy the yard, but they are usually not as flighty as many lighter breeds. Their dark feathers look beautiful, but summer care matters. In hot weather, give them shade, airflow, and plenty of cool water so they do not overheat. Cackle’s Black Australorp started pullet page gives the same reminder about providing shade during summer.
Black Australorp vs Black Jersey Giant
Black Australorps and Black Jersey Giant chickens can look similar at first. Both have black feathers, dark eyes, red combs, and a calm nature. Cackle’s comparison article, Chicken Breed Spotlight: Australorp or Black Jersey Giant, notes that both breeds look and behave a lot alike, and both can forage well and go broody.
Choose Black Australorps if you want a calmer black chicken known more for egg production, family friendliness, and backyard usefulness. Choose Black Jersey Giants if you want a much larger bird with more meat value and do not mind slower maturity.
In simple terms, Australorps are the better fit for most egg-focused backyard flocks. Jersey Giants are the better choice when giant size matters most.
Egg Production and Utility
Black Australorp hens are excellent layers of large light-brown eggs. They have a strong reputation as winter layers, which makes them especially useful when shorter days slow down many other hens.
Your source copy lists average production around 250–280 large light-brown eggs per year. Actual egg numbers can vary with age, daylight, feed, stress, weather, housing, and overall flock care. Cackle describes Black Australorps as excellent brown egg layers and good winter laying hens.
These birds also have dual-purpose value. They are not modern meat hybrids, but they carry more body size than lightweight egg breeds. That makes them useful for customers who want eggs first, with some traditional meat value as a secondary benefit.
If you want birds closer to laying age, Black Australorp Started Pullets may be available. If you enjoy hatching projects, Black Australorp Fertile Hatching Eggs may be offered seasonally from mid-February through early June.
Temperament and Suitability
Black Australorps are active yet gentle. They are a good choice for families, beginners, and experienced poultry keepers who want a steady brown egg layer with a calm personality.
They can work well in backyard coops, family flocks, homesteads, and free-range setups. When allowed to range, they scratch and forage without usually feeling as nervous as lighter Mediterranean breeds. They also handle confinement when you provide enough room, clean bedding, ventilation, and enrichment.
Cackle’s heritage spotlight calls Black Australorps an excellent choice for first-time chicken keepers, especially children, and also notes their popularity for 4-H and FFA projects. That friendly nature is one reason this breed has stayed popular for so long.
Is the Black Australorp Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Black Australorps if you want:
A calm backyard chicken
A dependable brown egg layer
A good winter laying hen
A glossy black bird with green sheen
A beginner-friendly breed
A family-friendly flock bird
A dual-purpose chicken for eggs and meat value
A bird that can handle confinement or free range
A started pullet or hatching egg option when available
A heritage breed with Australian roots
Overall, this is a strong choice if you want a practical, beautiful hen that earns her keep. Black Australorps are not flashy in a loud way, but they are steady, useful, and easy to enjoy.
If you are still comparing breeds, the Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you sort birds by egg color, size, temperament, and flock goals.
Breed History and Preservation
The Australorp began with Black Orpingtons imported into Australia between about 1890 and 1900. In England, Black Orpingtons were being developed more for meat qualities. Australian breeders, however, selected them for egg production and farm usefulness. The Livestock Conservancy explains that this selection helped create the Australorp as a productive Australian breed.
The breed became famous for egg production, especially after laying contests helped prove what carefully selected Australorps could do. Over time, the Black Australorp earned a reputation as one of the great brown egg breeds for small farms and backyard flocks.
The Black Australorp entered the American Standard of Perfection in 1929. Cackle Hatchery® has developed its pure Black Australorp bloodline since 1936, focusing on laying ability, good body size, and the gentle temperament customers appreciate.
The breed has also made conservation progress. The Livestock Conservancy reports that Australorp chickens graduated from its Conservation Priority List in 2023, which shows how renewed interest helped strengthen the breed’s status.
Recognition and Availability
The American Poultry Association recognizes the Black Australorp in the English class. The breed entered the Standard of Perfection in 1929.
You can choose Black Australorp chicks when they are in season. If you want older birds, Black Australorp Started Pullets may be available. If you prefer hatching your own, Black Australorp Fertile Hatching Eggs may be offered at limited times of the year.
Before you plan your order, check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like Black Australorps, you may also want to compare Black Jersey Giant chickens, Buff Orpingtons, Austra Whites, and other brown egg laying chickens.
For more background, read Black Australorp Chickens in the Heritage Breed Spotlight and Chicken Breed Spotlight: Australorp or Black Jersey Giant. These are good supporting links for customers comparing large black chicken breeds.
For broader flock planning, browse baby chicks for sale, hatching eggs for sale, Chicken Breed Selector, and the Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart.
FAQ: Black Australorp Chicken
What is a Black Australorp chicken?
A Black Australorp is an Australian dual-purpose chicken known for glossy black plumage, calm temperament, strong winter laying, and large light-brown eggs.
Where did Black Australorps originate?
Black Australorps originated in Australia from Black Orpington stock imported from England. Australian breeders selected them for stronger egg production and farm usefulness.
When did the APA recognize Black Australorps?
The American Poultry Association recognized the Black Australorp in 1929.
Are Black Australorps good egg layers?
Yes. Black Australorps are excellent brown egg layers. Your source copy lists about 250–280 large light-brown eggs per year, though actual production can vary with age, daylight, feed, weather, housing, and care.
What color eggs do Black Australorps lay?
They lay light-brown eggs, usually large in size.
Are Black Australorps good winter layers?
Yes. Black Australorps have a strong reputation as good winter layers and can keep producing when many hens slow down.
Are Black Australorps friendly?
Yes. They are generally gentle, calm, and easy to manage. Many families and beginner chicken keepers like them for that reason.
Are Black Australorps good for beginners?
Yes. They are one of the better beginner breeds because they are calm, useful, attractive, and good layers. They still need clean water, balanced feed, dry housing, predator protection, and enough space.
Are Black Australorps good for children?
Yes, they can be a good family flock bird. Cackle’s heritage spotlight notes that they are a good choice for first-time chicken keepers, especially children, and are popular for 4-H and FFA projects.
Are Black Australorps good for meat?
Yes, they have dual-purpose value. Most people choose them mainly for eggs, but they carry more body size than lightweight laying breeds.
Do Black Australorps go broody?
They may go broody. Cackle’s Australorp vs Jersey Giant article notes that hens of both breeds tend to become broody and raise chicks.
Why do young Black Australorps have white feathers?
Some young birds may show white feathers during their first and second feathering stages. By around 6 months of age, they should mature into solid black plumage.
Can Black Australorps overheat in summer?
They can struggle in hot weather if they lack shade because their dark feathers absorb heat. Provide shade, airflow, and cool water during summer.
What is the difference between Black Australorp and Black Jersey Giant?
Black Australorps are usually better for egg-focused backyard flocks. Black Jersey Giants are much larger, slower-growing birds with more meat value. Both breeds can look similar and share calm temperaments.
Can I order Black Australorp Started Pullets?
Yes. Black Australorp Started Pullets may be available if you want older birds closer to laying age.
Can I order Black Australorp hatching eggs?
Yes. Black Australorp Fertile Hatching Eggs may be available seasonally.
Where can I check chick availability?
Check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Ordering Information
Check the current price, stock status and selectable options displayed on this page. Read the product information and applicable policies before adding this item to your cart.
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