Few would refuse to kill two birds with one stone. Here and in the breeding of poultry, I would like to get immediately and wonderful meat in acceptable quantities, and at the same time not to deny myself a large number of eggs of good quality. If this was not possible before, by now our breeders have developed enough breeds for those who want to get everything at once. Chickens belonging to the Australorp black breed are among those that will satisfy your needs.
In an attempt to create a breed of chickens with high egg production and body weight, breeders bred Australlorp. They were first cultivated in Australia in the 20s of the nineteenth century. The basis of breeding were taken black Orpington, which was brought from England, and the Australian Langhans.
This is how a beef breed with the quality of a good layer appeared. This result was achieved without modern breeding methods already in 1923. Then the record was registered: 309.5 eggs for 365 days on average with one hen.
Breed description Australorp Black
Australorp black chicks are characterized by black pubescence and yellow or light gray spots on the inside of the wing and on the belly.
External features of adult birds:
- the constitution is rounded, the body is squat, the broad convex chest;
- medium sized head;
- fluffy or moderately loose plumage;
- plumage color is black, there is a dark green reflux;
- white skin color (important for the presentation of carcasses);
- leaf-shaped upright low comb with five teeth;
- earlobes red, black beak, black or brown eyes;
- legs are short - from dark gray to black tone, the sole of the legs is light;
- the tail of both the females and the males is small, located at an angle of 40 to 45 degrees to the back line.
Advantages and disadvantages
Representatives of the Australorp breed differ from other modern breeds of chickens in that they have almost no disadvantages. They have no problems in breeding and reproduction, and are endowed with the ability to stalk and the survival of offspring.
By the nature of the hen Australorpa black different friendliness and serenity, remarkably get along in birds of other breeds and perfectly adapt to the conditions of individual cellular and group content.
Australorp black chickens reach maturity early and do not cease to sweep even in winter.
A photo
Traditionally, we present you a series of photos where you can see the birds of this breed better. Immediately before you appear several individuals of chickens walking in the yard:
And here Australorp's cock shows what a beautiful tail he has:
In the most ordinary house, the most common Australorps:
And again a beautiful cock:
Here you can see a small chicken coop equipped with a cross stick on which birds like to sit:
Chickens in private households:
Content and cultivation
In the diet, representatives of Australorp black are not picky and do not differ much from other chickens. Feeding the chickens begins with a grated egg, and if desired, add grated grain. Weakened chicks should be fed with a mixture consisting of milk with the addition of chicken yolk.
When growing up, you can make chopped greens in the diet. Around the tenth day of life, wheat bran is recommended, as well as, if desired, chopped beef and bones, various root vegetables (carrots and beets), potatoes. In the second month of life, corn can be added to the diet. And if the walking of young stock is impossible, then from five days of age, the chicks should be given fish oil in a dosage of 0.1 gram per chick.
In the diet of adult individuals, cereals, potatoes and boiled peelings, carrots, beets, boneless fish waste, grass, vegetables, and dairy products should be present.
In winter, birds should be fed with eggshell, a source of calcium, and sand should be given to improve digestion.
Peat is the best option for bedding. It perfectly absorbs moisture and eliminates unpleasant odors, has bactericidal properties and dries paws, so that birds do not catch cold.
Also, chickens need regular baths consisting of a mixture of fine dry sand and ash to prevent parasitic invasions.
Australorps are well adapted to lower temperatures.but in spite of that, it should be above zero degrees Celsius in the hen house.
Specifications
The weight of the female Avstrolorp black is from 2.6 to 3 kilograms, and the average for roosters is up to 4 kilograms.
Yaytsenoskaya ability of breeding chickens more than 180-220 eggs for 365 days. Eggs weigh 56-57 grams. Egg shell color is creamy brown.
Survival rate of adult birds - 88%, young animals - 95-99%.
Where can I buy in Russia?
- Farm "Golden feathers“: Moscow, 20 km from Moscow Ring Road on Nosovihinskoe highway. Phone: +7 (910) 478-39-85. Contact person: Angelina, Alexander.
- Moscow region, Chekhov. Phone: +7 (903) 525-92-77. E-mail: [email protected].
- Kazan, m.Prospekt Victory. Phone: +7 (987) 290-69-22. Contact person: Oleg Sergeevich.
Analogs
If you do not have the opportunity to get the hens of the breed in question, you can replace them with another alternative meat-egg breed.
- Australorp is black-motley: the weight of a mature chickens is 2.2 kg, the rooster weighs 2.6 kg; on average, hens give up to 220 eggs in 365 days, 55 g each.
- Adler's silver chicken: the weight of a mature chicken can be from 2.5 to 2.8 kg., The rooster has a body weight from 3.5 to 3.9 kg .; eggs on average per year from one layer 170-190, the weight of an individual can reach up to 59 g.
- Amrox: the weight of a mature chicken is from 2.5 to 3.5 kg., The rooster has a weight of up to 4.5 kg; egg production to 220 eggs for 365 days, the mass of eggs reaches 60 g.
- Hens of Ameraukana: the weight of a mature chicken is up to 2.5 kg., The rooster has a body weight from 3 to 3.5 kg. give 200-255 eggs for 365 days, the weight of an individual egg is up to 64 g.
- Araukana: the weight of a mature chickens up to 2 kg., The rooster has a body weight of up to 2.5 kg.; egg capacity is not high - up to 160 eggs.
- Aarshotz: the weight of a mature chicken is 2.5 kg., The cock has a body weight of up to 3.5 kg. eggs 140-160 eggs from one hen, an egg can weigh up to 65 g
- Bielefelder: the weight of a mature chickens from 2.5 to 3.5 kg., The rooster has a body weight of from 3.5 to 4.5 kg.; egg capacity from 180 to 230 eggs, the mass of each not less than 60 g
- Wyandot: the weight of a mature chicken is 2.5 kg., The rooster has a body weight from 3.5 to 4 kg .; per year from one female leaves no more than 130 eggs, which weigh up to 56 g
- Hub: the weight of a mature chickens up to 2.5 kg., The rooster has a weight of up to 3.5 kg.; egg capacity is 180 eggs during the first year of puberty and about 150 eggs during the second year, a single egg from 55 to 60 g.
- Curly chicken: the weight of a mature chicken is from 2 to 2.5 kg., The rooster has a weight from 2.5 to 3 kg .; on average, a hen kills about 160 eggs each weighing 56-58 g.
So, summing up the review of Austrolorp black chickens, we can say that they really have all the advantages necessary for keeping both good meat and good egg production. They are not picky, have high rates of survival and breeding. So the applause of the Australians for giving the world this wonderful breed of birds.
