The Best Chickens for Your Australian Backyard
Chickens: The Gateway to a Self-Sufficient Lifestyle
One of my favourite parts about living on an acreage is the ability to have dozens of chickens. Each morning I head outside as the sun streaks through the gum and karri trees on our patch, casting golden rays on the chook pen as a chorus of clucks fills the air. It's the sound of self-sufficiency mate: the symphony of happy hens laying the foundation for breakfast, one pearly egg at a time. But in this land of wide-open spaces and endless possibilities, choosing the right feathered mates for your homestead or backyard can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Never fear, chook lovers; we're here to guide you through the top three egg-laying breeds that'll have your fridge full of googies in no time!
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1. The Mighty Isa Brown: This Aussie legend is a true blue champion of the egg-laying world. Tough as nails, resilient as the Outback, and with a friendly nature that'll make you want to spend time with them learning their personalities.
The Isa Brown can lay up to 300 eggs a year. They're happy to free-range, making them perfect for paddock life or scratching about your backyard. We have always had Isa Browns as the kids love them.
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2. The Sassy Australorp: A true blue Aussie breed, the Australorp is known for its stunning black plumage and remarkable egg-laying prowess.
These beauties can produce a whopping 250-300 eggs annually, with a knack for laying even through the cooler months. They're super friendly and love a good chinwag (or should I say, cluckwag?), so expect plenty of chatter from the chook pen.
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3. The Plucky Leghorn: Straight outta Italy, the Leghorn might be a bit of a blow-in, but they've earned their spot as bona fide Aussie favourite. Known for their white feathers, bright red wattles, and energetic personalities, these chatterboxes can lay up to 300 eggs a year.
They're a bit flighty, so a secure coop with plenty of space to roam is a must. These are a favourite on our farm as they are big birds and lay large eggs, get on well with other birds and protect those smaller them them.
Gearing Up for Chook Life
So, you're ready to welcome a feathered flock to your homestead? Here's the bare minimum you'll need to get started:
A Secure Coop: A sturdy home to protect your chooks from predators and the elements. They need good shade. so this could include trees, like a mulberry, and an enclosed coop for them to rest and lay. If you have foxes or other predators in your area, then ensure you dig that chicken wire into the ground (foxes can dig under fences).
A Spacious Run: A fenced-in area where they can scratch, peck, and bask in the sunshine. Chooks love a good dust bath, so ensure there is a sunny and shady area for them to bask. They can get bored if you don’t free-range them from time to time, so add items to keep them curious, like a xylophone, mirrors, foraging treat ball or chicken swings.
Quality Feed: A balanced diet of commercial feed, supplemented with kitchen scraps and garden goodies for extra nutrition. We discuss vitamins and minerals in another article, but you can get a wholesome feed from your local stock feeds like this organic grain poultry mix, or pellets. Mealworms are also a great addition to their diet, as they are carnivores! Contact us for mealworms, as we post Australia-wide.
Fresh Water: A constant supply of clean drinking water to keep them hydrated and healthy. They get the water very messy, very quickly if you just leave it on the ground. So we recommend a couple of things depending on your set-up. A 10L auto water bowl, automatic chicken drinkers or a hangable 2L water drinker.
A Bit of Love: A few pats, chats, and maybe even a name or two will show your feathered friends some affection. Even if we eat our birds, we always end up naming them! It’s hard not to when they all have such different personalities.
Remember, the journey to self-sufficiency is about more than just collecting eggs. It's about connecting with the natural world, learning new skills, and building a resilient lifestyle. Resources like Eight Acres Permaculture can be your wingmen on this journey, offering courses, workshops, and a supportive community of like-minded individuals. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your courage, gather your mates, and grab yourself a chook or two!
Want to learn more about gardening and building a self-sufficient lifestyle? Check out these featured articles!
New Additions To The Farm - Pigs!
The Best Aussie Books for Veggie Gardening
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