|
Large Importations to Australia of William Cooks original strains of Black Orpingtons were made in the late nineteenth century.
As the looser feathered exhibition-type Orpington evolved, the original birds were bred on in Australia as superior layers
and meat birds and became known as Utility Black Orpingtons. Some Australian Langshan blood was infused. The early days of
egg laying competitions in Australia saw these birds establish records un rivaled by any other heavy breed. In the 1920s,
stock was exported back to Britain. The name Australorp was adopted in Australia by 1930. The Australian standard, agreed
to in 1949, had ensured the breed retain its usefulness as a superior layer and table bird. Australorp bantams have been developed
to a high standard. Like their large counterparts, they are useful layers, reliable setters and good table birds
The Australorp Male
MALE CHARACTERISTICS
CARRIAGE
Erect and graceful, denoting an active fowl, the head being carried well above the
tail line.
TYPE
Body deep and broad, showing somewhat greater length than depth.
Breast full
and rounded, carried well forward without bulging, breast bone long and straight
Back broad across shoulders and
the saddle, with a sweeping curve from neck to tail.
Tail full and compact, rising gradually from the sickles
gracefully curved but not long and streaming.
Wings compact and carried closely, the ends being covered by the
saddle hacks.
HEAD
Finely modeled and skull rounded
Beak slightly curved, strong and of medium
length
Eyes large prominent and expressive; high on skull, standing well out when viewed from the front and
back.
Face full, fine in texture, clean, free from feathers wrinkles and overhanging brows.
Comb single,
medium in size, erect, evenly serrated [ 4 to 6 serrations ] and blade tending downwards without touching the neck, texture
fine, but not of glace appearance
Wattles medium in size, rounded at the bottom and corresponding in texture
to the comb.
Ear Lobes small and elongated
NECK Fairly long, fine at the junction of the head, with a gradual outward curve
to the back, widening directly at the shoulders.
PLUMAGE Feathering soft, but close, with a minimum of fluff,
only sufficient to cover the thighs.
SKIN Fine in texture
LEGS and FEET Medium in length, strong bayonet
shaped, and spaced well apart. The hocks being nearly covered by body feathering and the whole of the shanks showing below
the underline.
Shanks and feet free from feather or down.
Toes four, straight and well spread.
The Australorp Female
FEMALE CHARACTERISTICS
The general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual
differences. The pelvic bone should be more pliable, not showing an excess of fat or gristle; abdominal skin being fine and
pliable, without an excess of internal fat. All these part to be of fine texture; any indication of coarseness should be discountenanced
.
.
FREEDOM FROM COARSENESS
A):Shanks strong, as differentiated from either extreme coarseness or fineness
of bone.
B):Pelvic Bones strong at the baselong and straight to be as free as possible from gristly covering. Undue
importance not to be attached to male birds.
C):Abdomen to be elastic, avoiding sagging down or hardness, indicating
excess fat; skin to be fine and pliable
COLOURS:
BLACK
Male and Female:
Plumage : Black throughout with lustrous green sheen.
Beak : Black
Eye: Black or dark brown iris, black is preferred.
Comb: Face, ear-lobes and wattles bright red
Shanks and Feet:
Black, dark slate permitted in adults.
Skin: White
Souls of Feet and Toenails: White
BLUE
Male Plumage:
Hackles, back, tail, sickles, side hangers and wing-bow: Rich deep slate, the darker the better.
Flights blue slate.
Remainder of Plumage; clear slate blue ground colour, each feature distinctly laced with dark slate. The contrast
between ground colour and lacing to be well defined.
In Both Sexes: Beak, eye. Comb, face, wattles, ear-lobes, skin,
shanks and feet as for the Black.
WEIGHTS:
LARGE FOWL
Cock 3.604.10 kg (89 lb)
Cockerel
3.203.60 kg (7 8 lb)
Hen 2.753.20 kg ( 67 lb)
Pullet 2.252.27 kg ( 5 6 lb)
BANTAMS
Male 9601.190 kg ( 3442 oz)
Female 7901.020 kg (2836 oz)
|
