Blue Australorp chickens are a quite popular breed for laying 364 eggs a year and a large number of bluish feathers. They are dual-purpose breeds with a docile and friendly nature making them a perfect choice for any backyard.

In this article, we will cover some of the important things you need to know about Blue Australorp chicken.

So let’s get started:

Overview

Origin	Australia
Appearance	Bluish
Purpose	Dual-Purpose (eggs+meat)
Availability	Rare
Age of Laying	22-28 weeks of age
Eggs Quantity	250-300+ per year (364 eggs record)
Egg Size	Large
Egg Color	Brown
Weight at Maturity	Rooster 8.5 lbs, Hen 6.5 lbs
Life Span	6 to 10 years
Growth Speed	Slow
Temperament	Docile and Friendly
Comb Type	Single
Legs	Black and Clean
Heat Tolerance	Low
Cold Tolerance	High
Adaptability	Variety of Climates

Brief History of Blue Australorp Chickens

Blue Australorp chickens originated in Australia in the early 20th century and during the 1920s finally arrived in America.

The Blue Australorp breed was selectively bred from the Australian Black Orpington for egg-laying abilities and meat production, hence the name ‘Australorp’.

In 1922 and 1923, a group of six Australorp hens laid an exceptional 1,857 eggs, averaging over 309 eggs or more per chicken in a year.

According to Zoosa Blue Australorp also holds a record for laying 364 eggs in a year. Awesome!

Characteristics of Blue Australorp Chickens

Here are some fantastic qualities of blue australorp birds:

• 300+ Eggs Laying Capacity

Blue Australorp hen is an egg machine that lays between 250-300+ eggs per year meaning 5-6 eggs per week.

According to “Zoosa” Blue Australorp also holds a record for laying 364 eggs in a year.

They lay large sizes of eggs that are brown-colored, and Blue Australorp starts laying eggs at the age of 22-28 weeks.

To boost egg-producing capability you need to provide suitable, soft, and fine nesting boxes, a balanced diet, proper health care, and a stress-free environment,

• Good Sitters and Mothers

Blue Australorp also go broody, they are considered good sitters and mothers, and they can sit and hatch their eggs.

As for a lot of breeds, you need to collect their eggs and use artificial methods to incubate and hatch their eggs.

In the case of blue Australorp, you almost don’t need to incubate and hatch their eggs, they will do this by themselves.

• Temperament and Personality 

Blue Australorp are very docile and friendly by nature, they love and want to be close to humans.

They are calm and gentle birds, they don’t create disturbance in their environment, this characteristic makes them perfect pet chickens for any family with children.

They love to forage and explore their environment for foods like green plants, insects, seeds, etc.

• Hardiness and Adaptability

Blue Australorp are hardy, they are not prone or susceptible to many diseases.

They also adapt to different climates and environments, they easily thrive in cold weather or winter.

They also don’t need ample space to manage and keep, if you have a small space or backyard these are the perfect choice for you.

• Compatibility and Suitability

As Blue Australorp is calm and peaceful by nature, they are great for mixed poultry flock integration.

These chickens are a versatile addition to any backyard/flock, getting along well with other chicken breeds.

Blue Australorps are a great choice for first-time or beginner chicken owners due to their impressive hardiness, calm and gentle temperament, and prolific egg-producing abilities.

Appearance of Blue Australorp Chickens

Blue Australorp is almost bluish and has soft blue-gray feathers, laced with black around the edges. 

And has a broad, deep body and a slightly curved back. They have a single comb that is medium to large and serrated.

Their skin and earlobes are white, their wattles are round and medium in size.

They have broad tails at a 45-degree angle, wide-set robust legs, and feather-free four-toed feet.

It’s worth noting that their heads are small but carried high, and their beaks are undeniably strong and distinctly curved.

A blue Australorp weighs around 8.5 lbs (Rooster), and around 6.5 lbs (Hen) at maturity.

The Lifespan of Blue Australorp Chickens

Lifespan depends on many factors like environment, diet, relationships, health, etc.

Blue Australorp is hardy and adaptable to various climates and a docile breed with a gentle nature. They often have strong attachments to their owners.

Approximately Blue Australorp can live 6-10 years, you can boost their longevity through proper health care, a balanced diet, providing a comfortable environment, etc.

How to Breed Blue Australorp

Blue Australorp is an exceptional breed prized for its blue-gray feathers, superior and prolific egg production, and hardiness and adaptability to different climates.

That’s why we all want to hatch their eggs for their next cute chicks, that gives us the benefits and joy we want.

Here is the full process of breeding Blue Australorp:

• Care Before Mating Parents

Before mating, you need to provide a balanced diet, ample space for their activities, a clean and stress-free environment, soft and fine nesting boxes in their coop, and health care.

• Select Healthy Pair

Selecting the true representatives of the Blue Australorp breed will ensure the outcome of real and true results.

Also, a healthy and mature pair is needed for this process, to obtain genuine results.

• Mating the Pair

To ensure successful mating, the birds must be healthy and mature and reach the proper level of maturity. 

Hens should be around 6-7 months old, while roosters should be slightly older than hens. 

The magic of mating happens naturally when a male and female are together in a suitable environment. It’s amazing to see how nature takes its course, isn’t it?

• Eggs Collecting 

Daily collect the freshest laid eggs from your blue Australorp hens and ensure that they are stored safely. 

Ensure that the eggs you collect and store are from mated hens, not unmated hens because the eggs of unmated hens are not fertilized.

• Incubating and Hatching Eggs

If you have an incubator, you can use it to incubate and hatch the eggs you stored for blue Australorp chicks.

If you do not have an incubator, don’t worry! You can easily encourage the hen to become broody and incubate the eggs herself. Trust the process, as the chicks will surely hatch within 21 days.

How will be the Blue Australorp chicks: The mesmerizing color of blue australorp chicks results from the ‘Andalusian Blue’ genetic trait.  When two Australorp parents come together, their fluffy offspring can surprise you with various colors.  The chicks from two blue parents can be blue, black, or splash (primarily white with blue spots). It’s a genetic masterpiece unfolding in the coop, where each chick tells a unique and beautiful story of its heritage.

• Now Rearing Chicks

Now you have blue Australorp chicks, so proper caring for your new babies is essential.

The chicks need a warm and safe environment, proper care, and chicks’ feed. As they grow, they will develop their blue plumage and unique characteristics.

Breeding Blue Australorps and the Outcome of Chicks: Australorps’ blue color follows the ‘Andalusian Blue’ genetic trait, meaning chicks from two blue parents can be blue, black, or splash (primarily white with blue spots).

How to Care for Blue Australorp Chickens

If you’re considering getting Blue Australorp chickens or already have some in your flock, here are some tips on how to care for them:

Housing:

Blue Australorps require a spacious and clean living environment. A coop with at least 4 square feet of space per bird is recommended. You can also use an automatic door in your chicken coop.

The coop should be well-ventilated, draft-free, and provide protection from predators. Bedding materials such as straw, pine shavings, or sand should be used to keep the coop clean and dry.

Feeding:

A well-balanced diet is essential for the health of your chickens. They require a high-quality layer feed that is high in protein (around 16%) and supplemented with calcium for strong eggshells. It’s also important to provide fresh water in a waterer at all times.

In addition to commercial feed, you can give your chickens treats such as fruits, vegetables, and mealworms in moderation. 

Be sure to avoid giving them any salty or sugary foods as they can cause health issues.

Health Care:

To maintain good health in your Blue Australorps, regular health checks are important. 

Look out for any signs of illness or injury such as decreased appetite, weight loss, difficulty breathing, and abnormal droppings. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Regularly cleaning the coop, replacing bedding materials, providing a heater or lamp, and removing any standing water can help maintain a healthy environment.

Exercise:

These chickens are active birds that require space to roam and exercise. 

It’s important to provide them with a spacious outdoor run or fenced-in area where they can scratch and peck at the ground. 

This not only gives them room to exercise but also provides them with opportunities to forage for bugs and other natural foods.

Socialization:

As mentioned earlier, Blue Australorps are known for their friendly and docile nature. 

They do well in both small and large flocks, so it’s important to provide them with social interaction. 

Keeping a rooster in the flock can also help maintain a peaceful hierarchy among the birds.

Grooming:

Blue Australorps have beautiful blue feathers that require minimal grooming. However, it’s important to regularly check for any mites or lice and treat them accordingly. 

A dust bath area can also be created using sand or diatomaceous earth to help keep these parasites at bay.

Final Thoughts on Blue Australorp

Blue Australorp is an exceptional breed and well known for its blue-gray feathers, superior and prolific egg production, and hardiness and adaptability to different climates.

These chickens are a perfect choice for any backyard or flock owner, even these chickens are perfect for families with children.

These chickens will give enough benefits and joy for a long time just to take care of them.

Have you ever raised a chicken that produces 250+ eggs per year? Feel free to share your thoughts with us.

 

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FAQs Related to Blue Australorp

For what purpose does Blue Australorp chicken create?

The purpose of these chickens is to create a breed that is dual purpose meant for eggs and meat production but especially for egg production.

Are blue Australorp rare chickens?

Yes, they’re still considered a rare breed due to their slow rate of growth and non-availability.

What is the color of blue Australorps eggs?

These chickens produce the brown color of eggs.

How many eggs do blue Australorps lay?

They lay between 250-300+ eggs a year, meaning 5-6 eggs a week.

Can blue Australorp fly?

Almost no as they are heavy birds therefore they struggle to fly.