Australorps are a wonderful breed of chicken that you can count on to lay lot of eggs! They originate out of Australia and were originally called the “Australian Black Orpington,” which was later contracted to “Australorp.” As for appearance, they have a large red comb and wattles, slate-blue to black, un-feathered legs, and the Black variety has black feathers with a beetle green sheen that shimmers in the sunlight. They are a calm, quiet breed that is easy to handle once they warm up to you. Not being pushy with other birds, Australorps often find themselves in the middle of the pecking order. They are able to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and enjoy foraging for food, making them good free-rangers, and they fit into the “dual-purpose” category, making them even more desirable. This is definitely a breed you want to have in your flock!