Blue Australorp Chicken: 11 Amazing Things With Pictures!

When it comes to beautiful and productive chicken breed, nothing can beat the Blue Australorp Chicken. This beautiful chicken is famous for its attractive appearance, good in laying eggs, good quality of meats, and they can be raised very easily.

In this easy guide, we’re diving into everything you need to know about Blue Australorp Chicken – Origin and history, appearance, care and management, why they’re awesome for your backyard flock etc.

Blue Australorp Chicken

The Blue Australorp is a beautiful, productive, and hardy breed of chicken, which makes them well-suited chicken breed for those who are keeping chickens at backyard. These chickens are a dual-purpose breed means they can give us eggs and meat, which is awesome for backyard farms.

Here’s a simple table providing an overview of the Blue Australorp chicken breed:

Aspect	Description
Origin	Australia
Color	Blue-gray plumage
Size	Medium to large
Temperament	Gentle, docile, and friendly
Purpose	Dual-purpose: egg-laying and meat production
Egg Production	Consistent and high; large brown eggs
Physical Features	Single comb, blue-gray feathers
Health Care	Regular check-ups, vaccinations, parasite prevention
Housing	Secure coop with proper ventilation and nesting boxes
Feeding	Balanced diet, including commercial feed and scraps

1) Origin and History of Blue Australorp chickens

The Blue Australorp was developed in Australia in the early 20th century. They were created by crossing Black Orpingtons with Langshans to produce a chicken that was both a good layer and a good meat bird.

The Blue Australorp chickens are quickly became popular in Australia, and they were eventually start exporting to other parts of the world. These chickens had not just loved in Australia. Peoples from all over liked them for their beautiful feathers and productive nature.

2) Temperament of Blue Australorp chickens

Blue Australorp chickens are known for their calm and polite temperament. They are very easy to handle which makes them good pets for children and other family members. They are also relatively quiet chickens.

Here are some of the key temperament traits of Blue Australorp chickens:

• Calm and docile: These chickens are known for their calm and polite temperament. They are not known to be aggressive or flighty in nature, they are generally easy to handle. They will be good choice for people who are new to raising chickens.
• Friendly and social: These chickens are also known for being friendly and social chickens. They enjoy being around people and other chickens, and they are often curious and playful.
• Quiet: They are relatively quiet chickens. They do not cluck or crow as loudly as some other breeds, which makes them a good choice for people who live in high populated areas.

3) Appearance

Blue Australorps are a medium-weight breed, with a deep, broad body and a well-rounded breast. They have a long, sloping back and a full tail that is carried high. Here is a description of the appearance of the blue Australorp chicken breed:

• Body: Blue Australorps are a medium-weight breed, with a deep, broad body and a well-rounded breast. They have a long, sloping back and a full tail that is carried high.
• Feathers: Blue Australorps have a soft, smooth plumage that is a deep blue color. The feathers have a slight iridescence that can appear green in the sunlight.
• Legs: The legs of Blue Australorps are slate blue or black, and they are clean of feathers. The feet are white or pinkish-white.
• Beak: The beak of a Blue Australorp is black, and the eyes are dark brown.
• Comb: The comb is single and upright, and it is a bright red color.

4) Blue Australorp Chicks and Price

Blue Australorp chicks are cute baby chickens that grow into cool-looking adult birds. When they’re babies, their feathers are soft, downy coat that is a light blue color. As they grow, their feathers will darken to a deep blue color and they become chubby and medium-sized.

These chicken chicks are relatively easy to care for. They just need a warm, draft-free brooder for the first 7 days, they have to be fed chick starter feed and also have access to fresh water at all times. Once they get old enough, blue Australorp chicks can be moved to a larger coop.

5) Blue Australorp Rooster

A Blue Australorp rooster is a male chicken with a cool appearance. It has feathers that are grayish-blue and soft. They are typically larger than hens, and they can weigh up to 9 pounds.

They are not typically aggressive towards humans or other chickens. However, it is important to note that not all roosters have the potential to be calm, some may have aggressive in nature, so it is important to socialize them early and to provide them enough space to live.

Here are some of the characteristics of a Blue Australorp rooster:

• Body: Roosters are a medium-weight breed, with a deep, broad body and a well-rounded breast. They have a long, sloping back and a full tail that is carried high.
• Feathers: Roosters have a soft, smooth plumage that is a deep blue
• color. The feathers have a slight iridescence that can appear green in the sunlight.
• Legs: The legs of roosters are slate blue or black, and they are clean of feathers. The feet are white or pinkish-white.
• Beak: The beak of a rooster is black, and the eyes are dark brown.
• Comb: The comb is single and upright, and it is a bright red color.
• Earlobes: The earlobes are red and smooth.
• Wattles: The wattles are large and red, and they hang down from the sides of the rooster’s neck.

Also Read: Rhode Island Red Rooster Vs Hen

6) Blue Australorp Hen

A Blue Australorp hen is a female chicken they have attractive and pretty look. Hens are also known for their calm and polite in nature, means they are not typically aggressive towards humans or other chickens of the flock. However, some hens may have aggressive nature.

Here are some of the characteristics of a Blue Australorp hen:

• Body: Hens are a medium-weight breed, with a deep, broad body and a well-rounded breast.
• Feathers: Hens also have soft, smooth plumage that is a deep blue in color. Their feathers is appear green in the sunlight.
• Legs: The legs of hens are also slate blue or black, feet are white or pinkish-white.
• Beak: The hen is black, and the eyes are dark brown.
• Comb: The comb is single and upright, and it is a bright red in color.
• Wattles: The wattles are small and red, and they hang down from the sides of the hen’s neck.
• Earlobes: The earlobes are red and smooth.

7) Feed Requirement for Blue Australorp chickens

Feeding Blue Australorp chickens is quite similar to feeding other chicken breeds. They just need a balance food which should contain high protein, calcium and other important nutrients, which will help to keep chickens productive, promote overall body growth and development.

Here are some feeding tips for Blue Australorp chickens:

i) Commercial Chicken Feed:

The main part of a Blue Australorp’s diet should be a balanced commercial chicken feed. Choose a high-quality layer feed if you have laying hens, or a starter/grower feed for chicks. The feed should contain essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and other important minerals.

ii) Free-Range and Foraging:

If possible, allow your chickens to free-range in a secure area. They will enjoy pecking at insects, plants, and grass, which adds variety to their diet and provides additional nutrients.

iii) Fresh Water:

Ensure a constant supply of clean and fresh water. Chickens drink a lot, especially in hot weather or when they laying eggs. Hydration is also paly very important role in absorbing the nutrients to the chickens body to maximize the egg production.

iv) Grains and Treats:

You can offer small amounts of grains like corn, oats, or wheat as treats. Kitchen scraps like fruits, vegetables, and bread are fine in moderation, but they shouldn’t make up a significant portion of the diet.

Read More About: 9 Best Free Natural Chicken Feeds idea

v) Calcium Source:

For laying hens, provide a source of calcium, such as crushed oyster shells or eggshells or other sources like calcium supplements. This helps maintain strong eggshells and increase egg productions too.

vi) Grit:

Chickens need grit (small stones or insoluble minerals), which will help them to digest food properly, especially if they’re eating grains or foraging. Grit are also help to improve the egg shell thickness and improve the size and quality of eggs.

vii) Mealworms and Protein:

Offering mealworms or other high-protein treats can be beneficial, especially during molting or cold weather. Providing Mealworms in a regular basis will help to maintain chickens bodyweight and egg production ratio.

Read More: 5 Best Egg Laying Chicken Breeds

8) Blue Australorp Eggs

Blue Australorp eggs are special eggs laid by these nice chickens. Eggs are a great source of nutrition that they contain high-quality protein, essential vitamins (like B12 and D), minerals, and healthy fats. Including these eggs in your diet can contribute to your overall nutritional intake.

i) When They Start Laying Eggs:

Blue Australorp chickens typically start laying eggs at around 6 months of age. However, some chickens may start laying as early as 5 months old, while others may not start laying eggs until they are 7 months old.

The age at which a chicken starts laying eggs can vary and it is depending on different factors, like quality of breed, chicken’s genetics, health of the chickens, amount of feed and daylight chickens are getting. Once chickens start laying eggs, they will typically produce eggs every day for you.

ii) Eggs Per Year:

Blue Australorp chickens are not good enough in laying eggs as other chicken breeds has, such as Black Australorp, Rhode Island Red etc. that they can lay up to 300 eggs per year. However, Blue Australorp can produce 200 to 230 eggs per year.

Here are some factors that can affect the egg production in Blue Australorp chickens:

• Age: Chickens typically start laying eggs at around 6 months of age. Their peak egg-laying years are between 1 and 3 years old.
• Diet: Layer chickens need a balanced diet that is high in protein and calcium. A good layer feed will provide them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and lay eggs.
• Light: Layer chickens need at least 14 hours of daylight in order to lay eggs. If they do not get enough daylight, their egg-laying will decline.
• Health: If a chicken is sick or stressed, their egg-laying will decline. It is important to keep your chickens healthy and stress-free in order to maximize their egg-laying ability.

iii) Egg Color and Size:

The Blue Australorp chicken eggs are typically medium to large in size, with an average weight of 55 to 60 grams per eggs. The eggs laid by the hen is Brown in color but their color can vary from deep brown with a slightly darker brown shell.

9) Care and Management for Blue Australorp chickens

Taking care of Blue Australorp chickens is as similar as required by other chicken breeds. Here is a simple guide to their care and management:

1. Housing:  Chickens are needed a coop that is large enough for them to move around comfortably. The coop should have proper ventilation and be kept clean and dry. A covered run is also a good idea, as it will provide the chickens with safety.
2. Food and water: Chickens should be fed a high-quality layer feed. You can also provide them with some fresh vegetables and fruits as treats and do not forget to provide them clean and fresh water for all times.
3. Grooming: These chickens are do not require a lot of grooming. However, you should check their feathers regularly for any signs of pests or parasites are attacked. You should also trim their nails as needed.
4. Health care: They are generally healthy chickens. However, they should be vaccinated against Marek’s, Newcastle, CRD and other common poultry diseases. You should also worm them regularly to keep healthy.
5. Predators: These chickens are not as flighty as some other breeds, so they have more chances to attacked by predators. It is important to keep their coop secure to protect them from foxes, raccoons, cats and other animals.

Here are some additional tips to caring for Blue Australorp chickens:

• Avoid overcrowding: These chicken breeds are not a large breed, but they do need proper space to move around. Overcrowding can lead to stress and other health problems.
• Provide a dust bath: These chickens are love to take dust bathe. A dust bath will help to keep their feathers clean and free of parasites.
• Rotate their bedding: These chickens are heavy layers, so their bedding will need to be rotated regularly. This will help to keep the coop clean and prevent the spread of disease.

10) Blue Australorp Chicken Lifespan

The lifespan of a blue Australorp chicken is typically 6-10 years. However, some chickens may live longer, up to 12 years or more. The lifespan of a chicken can be affected by number of factors, such as genetics, you flock management, diet, and health care.

If you provide your chickens a proper diet, enough space to live, and proper health care, then they will be free from stress and other diseases, which will help them to live a long and healthy life.

You May Also Like: Australorp Vs. Rhode Island Red Chicken

11) What is the difference between blue and black Australorps?

Blue and black Australorps are both dual-purpose chickens, means they are good for both laying eggs and meat production. However, there are some key differences between the two breeds.

Feature	Blue Australorp	Black Australorp
Color	Blueish grey	Black
Size	Slightly larger	Slightly smaller
Temperament	Slightly calmer	Slightly more active
Egg production	200-250 eggs per year	250-300 eggs per year

Blue Australorps have a blueish grey plumage, while Black Australorps have glossy, black feathers with a beetle green sheen. Blue Australorps also tend to be slightly larger than black Australorps, and they may have a slightly different temperament.

Finally, the main differences between these two chickens are, Back Australorp chickens are bale to lay more eggs than the Blue Australorps chickens.

Conclusion

The Blue Australorp chicken is a mix of beauty and productive. These chickens will be great addition to any backyard poultry setup. Its attractive appearance and good egg-laying abilities, makes it a favorite among both experienced and new chicken keepers.

By providing proper care and giving suitable environment, and understanding their genetics, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits that these chickens bring to your flock.

Hopefully, all the doubt related Blue Australorp chicken is cleared, if you already have an experience with this chicken breed, then please drop your valuable feedback by comment bellow and don’t forget to share this post with your friends and to chicken lovers.

Hope This Helps! Thank you.

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