Australorp Bantam

Appearance and Build

The Australorp Bantam is a medium-sized bantam with a moderately long, broad body and a horizontal carriage. It is not overly deep-bodied, presenting a balanced and sturdy appearance.

• Weight: Roosters typically weigh 2.7-2.9 lbs (1200-1300g), and hens are lighter at 2.0-2.2 lbs (900-1000g).
• Head: The head is well-rounded from above, medium-sized, and broad, with a lively red face.
• Comb: They have a single comb that is medium-sized, upright, and sturdy at the base. It features four to six, preferably five, regularly formed points. The comb heel should follow the neckline without touching and is a lively red color.
• Wattles and Earlobes: Wattles are medium-long, well-rounded, fine-textured, and lively red. Earlobes are rather small, oblong, smooth, and pure red.
• Eyes: Large, lively, and expressive, with eye color varying according to the plumage color, usually dark brown.
• Neck: The neck is fairly long and slightly arched, with abundant, full hackle feathers that hang down over the shoulders.
• Body: The back is moderately long, broad along its entire length, and slopes slightly from the shoulders to the middle of the back. The saddle is broad with well-developed hackle feathers. The breast is full, well-rounded, and carried well forward.
• Wings: Medium-length wings are carried well tucked up and resting on the flanks, with tips not extending beyond the body. Shoulders are well-rounded.
• Tail: The tail is fairly large, carried medium-high and well-spread, with broad main tail feathers and well-developed sickles and tail coverts that completely cover the main tail feathers.
• Legs and Feet: Legs are clean (unfeathered), medium-short, with four toes. The leg color varies by variety, typically yellow with white soles.
• Feathering: The plumage is glossy, firm yet soft to the touch, without excessive down development.

The Australorp Bantam is a productive egg layer, inheriting the excellent utility traits of its large fowl counterpart. They are known for their consistent egg production, even through cooler months.

• Egg Production: Hens can lay approximately 150-180 medium-sized eggs per year.
• Egg Size & Color: They lay attractive brown eggs that typically weigh around 1.4 oz (40g).
• Broodiness: Australorp hens are known to be good brooders and devoted mothers, making them a reliable choice for natural incubation and rearing of chicks.

Aside from general size differences (roosters are larger and heavier), Australorp Bantams exhibit specific sexual characteristics. Roosters have a prominent, upright single comb, well-developed hackle and saddle feathers, and long, graceful sickle feathers in their tail. Their carriage is typically more upright than the hen's.

Hens are smaller with a less pronounced comb, which, in the single-comb variety, often begins upright and then gracefully lops to one side. They possess a fuller, deeper abdomen, indicative of a good layer. The hen's backline tends to be slightly longer and less steeply sloped than the rooster's, giving a more horizontal appearance. The saddle cushion development at the back/tail junction is also more pronounced in hens.

The Australorp Bantam is a hardy and robust breed, well-adapted to various climates. They are known for their vitality and ability to thrive in different environmental conditions. Their full, soft feathering provides good insulation, making them tolerant of colder weather, though protection from extreme dampness and drafts is always recommended.

Their active and foraging nature means they appreciate space to roam. While they can adapt to confinement, they are happiest when given a spacious run or allowed to free-range. A dry, well-ventilated coop is sufficient for their needs.

The Australorp Bantam is recognized in several color varieties, though solid black is the most iconic.

• Black: This is the most common and classic variety. The plumage is a lustrous, beetle-green black across the entire body, with dull black down.
• Blue: A uniform slate-blue color. This is a dilute form of black, where the black pigment is softened to blue.
• Splash: This color results from breeding two blue birds. It features an irregular pattern of white or light blue feathers with splashes of darker blue.
• White: A pure, clean white plumage without any yellow tint.

The Australian poultry standard recognizes only the Black variety, while American and British standards recognize Black, Blue, and White. Other varieties might exist among hobby breeders but are not universally recognized.