Black Australorp — Day-Old Chicks
Black Australorp — Day-Old ChicksNPIP Certified Hatchery - License #51-770
- ~250 Eggs/Year
- Large Light Brown Eggs
- 22–24 Weeks to Lay
- Minimum 6 chicks per shipped order. Mix any breeds on the same hatch date to reach 6, or order 12 or more and the Marek’s vaccine is free.
- No small order fee. Shipping is $34.95 for 6–25 chicks by USPS Priority Mail · $49.95 for 26–50
- Live Arrival Guarantee on every shipped order
- Marek's vaccine available: free on orders of 12 or more chicks, otherwise $0.75 per chick. Check the box in your cart.
- Free local pickup in Preston, MD, no minimum
Checking hatch dates…
Orders close Sunday at 11:59 PM Eastern before each Tuesday hatch date. After that, that week is no longer available, so please choose another week from the dates still open.
See other hatch dates
📦 Learn how we carefully pack and ship your chicks →
In 1922, a Black Australorp set a world record by laying 364 eggs in 365 days. That legacy lives on in every chick we hatch. If you want a breed that simply delivers — day after day, season after season — the Black Australorp is your bird.
Why backyard keepers love them:
- 🥚 Approximately 250 large light brown eggs per year — one of the highest-producing heritage breeds in the world
- 🪶 Sleek black plumage with a stunning green sheen — beautiful birds that look as good as they perform
- 🐓 Exceptionally gentle temperament — calm, quiet, and easy to handle, great for families and beginners
- ☀️ Heat and cold tolerant — adaptable to a wide range of climates
- 🌿 Dual-purpose breed — excellent layers that also produce a good table bird
What to expect from Chesapeake Hatchery chicks:
Our Black Australorps are selected from high-production laying lines with true-to-breed temperament and conformation. Marek's Disease vaccination is optional and is not included in the chick price. To vaccinate your chicks, check the Marek's vaccine box in your cart. Chicks are backed by our live arrival guarantee. Whether you're a first-time chicken keeper or expanding a proven flock, Australorps are a rock-solid choice.
Weeks to first egg: 22–24 weeks
Egg size: Large
Egg color: Light brown
Common questions about Black Australorps
Are Black Australorps good for beginners?
Yes. They're one of the gentlest, quietest breeds we hatch, easy to handle and great with families.
How many eggs do Australorps lay?
About 250 large light brown eggs a year, one of the highest counts of any heritage breed. A Black Australorp set the world record in 1922 with 364 eggs in 365 days.
Do they handle Maryland summers and winters?
Yes. Australorps tolerate both heat and cold well with good shelter, shade and fresh water.
When will they start laying?
Usually at 22–24 weeks.
Pairs well with:
- Buff Orpington: another calm, family-friendly layer
- Barred Plymouth Rock: a classic, hardy beginner breed
World-class layers, backyard-friendly temperament — reserve your spot for the next hatch.
Breed specifications
Breed specifications
Production
Maturity
Temperament
Appearance
Adaptability
Chick care overview
Chick care overview
Brooder temperature: Start at 95°F for the first week, reducing by 5°F each week until fully feathered.
Food & water: Offer chick starter feed and fresh water immediately. Dip each chick's beak gently into the water on arrival to encourage drinking.
Hydration boost: We include hydration supplements in your shipment — add to water for the first 24–48 hours to help chicks recover from transit.
Space: Allow at least 0.5 sq ft per chick in the brooder for the first few weeks.
Watch for: Huddling under the heat source (too cold), panting or moving away from heat (too warm). Active, spread-out chicks are happy chicks.
For detailed care guides, visit our FAQs.
Shipping
Shipping
Your chicks ship in a USPS-approved live animal box designed specifically for safe poultry transport, complete with soft bedding, temperature control packing, and hydration supplements for the journey.
We take immeasurable care in every shipment — each box is packed with your flock's safe arrival as our top priority.
Day-old chicks ship by USPS Priority Mail with live-animal handling, the same day they hatch. Most orders reach your local post office in 1–2 days; some rural areas take up to 3. Started pullets ship by USPS Priority Mail Express, as USPS requires for older birds.
LIVE CHICK SHIPPING
USPS Priority Mail:
6–25 chicks — $34.95
26–50 chicks — $49.95
51–100 chicks — $59.95
Optional Priority Mail Express at checkout: $56.95 for 6–25 chicks, $66.95 for 26–50, $76.95 for 51–100.
Shipping farther than a day's drive from Maryland, such as south of the Carolinas or west of Ohio? We recommend Priority Mail Express. Express chicks are loaded first and usually arrive sooner, but USPS does not guarantee delivery times for live animals.
Ordering more than 100 chicks? Call us at (410) 635-1970.
Minimum shipped order: 6 chicks • Mix & match breeds
Local Pickup — Wednesdays in Maryland
No shipping fee · No minimum order
Live Arrival Guarantee
We stand behind every shipment. In the rare event that any chicks do not survive transit, you will receive a full refund for those chicks.
The Australops and barred rock are getting along with the buffs and doing well.
