Australorps breed Thread - Page 103

Make sure you cut the tails of the zip ties off because they could pull on them and tighten them!

Thankyou RRW V- chances are I would have left too much of a tail and not given it much thought til the damage was done.

Here are some photos of my Australorps.  All were bred by tigercreek and FuzzyButtsFarm raised the cockerel until last week.  The cockerel is 5 months old and the pullets are 4 months.  What do you think?

The cockerel is still in isolation, so I will have to post other views later.

This is the smallest pullet.  All the other photos were too blurry.

The tails are looking good, but are still developing.

They have good wide backs.  Those are some of tigercreek's Delawares in the shot.  They are 1 month younger.

cindy

Hi folks,

            some pics of two girls I just picked up for my breeding program. They're from the breeder of our current Victorian State Champ. roo. The pics are poor as the girls were scared of the photographer! The powers that be over here get a bit testy about people posting pics of birds bred by others, as they have been used to slag off breeders apparently. I have no beef with this breeder and my comments refer to my preference only. I think they've got good heads, though one comb is a little forked on one point. I'll watch to see if she passes this on, but I think she'll be ok. They're not fully combed up yet anyway. Apart from the proven quality of the line, I wanted them for a number of reasons. Firstly, while my other stock have ok dark slate legs that meet the standard, I want the black legs from the original standard. Can't see from the overexposed pics, but these girls have lovely legs! Next, although they haven't filled out yet, these girls are longer in the back and my roo, Derrick, lacks a little in length. Want more of that ideal Aussie "stock saddle" in my line. These girls are seriously large as is the 'flavor' over here. I doubt that they would meet the weight standard as full grown hens, but as Derrick is not huge, I hope to bring the weight down. The 'last' piece of the jigsaw for me is to bring in some blood from the old breeders who have maintained the utility, egglaying!, heritage of the breed whilst still breeding to the standard. These are generally tighter feathered birds These girls are a bit fluffy down below to be my ideal birds. Just to lighten up, I've spruiked Aussies for their great temperament here before - not aggressive but not easily pushed around. Well, these girls are wusses! I got them from way away and had to park them for a couple of nights in my dad's garage with a couple of bantam pullets - a Light Sussex and a Buff Orp. A frightening pair! The Aussies cowered under a bench if a bantam as much as passed by! After a week here, they're still pretty timid, and Derrick's not keen - prefers his pair of Isas - they've got to go! Feel free to comment on the girls or my ramble.

Cheers  Geoff from Aus 

Good looking pullets, Groche. Here is pics of DUNDEES son MOJO. This is one I kept out of several cockerels. He is 22 weeks old so time will tell if I made the right choice. I have a few cockerels in the grow up pen so we will see if I keep MOJO for breeding!

Like where you're going with these birds, plantcityhomestead. Nice green sheen and they look to have nice dark legs with the white toenails specified for the breed, I'd sure like some of your tighter feathering down below. A general question, and I don't want to sound like a smartarse with my easy access to quality stock, but to me the most obvious difference between your birds and mine is in the face. Our standard calls for a clean face, as in my birds. Most pics I see of American birds seem a bit compromised in this area. Is this being a bit neglected over there or are there no cleaner-faced stock available? Don't mean to offend!

Cheers  Geoff from Aus

I like Mojo! Possibly, the best comb and wattles I've seen on here. Pity about that one crooked point! Should breed nice combs though.

Cheers  Geoff from Aus

Quote:

Originally Posted by groche 

Like where you're going with these birds, plantcityhomestead. Nice green sheen and they look to have nice dark legs with the white toenails specified for the breed, I'd sure like some of your tighter feathering down below. A general question, and I don't want to sound like a smartarse with my easy access to quality stock, but to me the most obvious difference between your birds and mine is in the face. Our standard calls for a clean face, as in my birds. Most pics I see of American birds seem a bit compromised in this area. Is this being a bit neglected over there or are there no cleaner-faced stock available? Don't mean to offend!

Cheers  Geoff from Aus

I agree Geoff the feathering is loose.  I hope it improves as they get older.  These are outstanding birds for my area.  What goes for an Australorp here would be unrecognizable to you.  I wish we had the quality birds that you show us in my area.  I am sure there are some great breeders in the United States, but I try to buy my birds locally.  

My cockerel's face is a mess right now.  His face is covered with vaseline.  Do you see the problem in the pullet?  She hasn't turned red yet, so her face looks dark in the photo.   I'm not sure what I should be looking for.  Should there be no feathering in front of the ear?  Should there be feathering above the eye?

 If you haven't picked this up before, I think you'll find it interesting. Old Percy Wright was a legend and wrote many great articles. I'd sure like some of his egglaying stock! It's a bit freaky to think just how good some of these breeds were at the caper in the old days. The Aussie hen looks familiar, but am I wrong in thinking that the tail on the roo is more like yours than the 'ideal' bird in my avatar? Until I read this I thought that Aussies got their laying more from the Langshan side, but check out how Percy's Black Orps laid! How about the meticulous records these old folk kept. The above Australian site is good if you've not come across it. Manna is a history freak and posts some great stuff like this . I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this with you folk.

Cheers  geoff from Aus

Yep, that one point bothers me too. I let go of one I should have kept, you should see him now. Here is pic of his dad DUNDEE with an awesome comb.