Australorp
Dual purposeAustraliaBeginner friendly
Australia took the English Orpington and rebuilt it as a laying machine, and the glossy black Australorp was the result. Its feathers flash beetle-green in the sun, its disposition is famously sweet, and it keeps laying through weather that sidelines flashier breeds.
Eggs per year
200–280
Egg color
Brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6.5–8 lbs
Temperament
Gentle and calm
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
An Australorp hen set a world record in the 1920s by laying 364 eggs in 365 days — without any artificial lighting.
Australorp egg production
Expect roughly 200–280 brown eggs a year from a Australorp in her prime — about 4–5 a week, or 17–23 dozen over the course of a year. That puts it among the more prolific backyard layers. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Australorp is generally described as gentle and calm. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Australorp rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Australorphen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Australorp hen is a large bird at 6.5–8 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Australorp right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- Honestly, not much — this is a versatile all-rounder rather than a specialist
Australorp FAQ
- How many eggs do Australorp chickens lay?
- A healthy Australorp hen lays about 200–280 brown eggs a year — roughly 4–5 a week, or 17–23 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Australorps lay?
- Australorps lay brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do Australorp chickens get?
- A Australorp hen weighs roughly 6.5–8 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Australorps cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Australorp is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Australorps good for beginners?
- Yes. The Australorp is a forgiving, gentle and calm breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Australorp hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Australorp hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
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Keeping Australorps?
Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal — track their eggs, weight, and life events, and see who's really your best layer.
