Australorp.Large Fowl

Large Fowl.

Click on photos to enlarge

This breed is surely one of the most underestimated breeds in the UK today. At one time this breed was kept in the commercial sector as a farm layer. Under the  Official Australian trapnesting test this breed layed 364 eggs in 365 days.

The pullets lay almost everyday a good size buff coloured egg. The cockerels at around 6 month can weigh around 6 lb dressed and a fully mature cock will weigh about 12 lbs. They are very calm and friendly and enjoy a  free-range lifestyle.

They are a sitting breed and will cover 12 eggs with ease. The birds show very well and have a long career in the exhibition pen and being a self black are easy to present.

The chicks hatch black and white, but the white fades as they feather up.

Australorps have white soles to the feet and white claws.

I have had this strain for a number of years and run 3 cocks and 12 hens in 3 pens.

The cock in the photograph took best Australorp at the Welsh Federation Championship show and he was the foundation cock used in this line.