Recent content by toofoul

I totally hear you! I am in the process of 'finishing' my coop and its stressing me out cause my Austrolorps are getting bigger and bigger and my garage is stinky. We have a 18month old boy so my wife looks after him whilst I swear and sweat out the back. I hope to put on the walls and cladding...

Hi there. Thanks for the advice. Very much appreciated. I have 3 Australorps and 2 Sussex (which arrive this weekend). I only have a brooder which is a large plastic ‘tote’ box about 3ft x 1 ft . i feel its getting very crowded in there, although they appear to be happy enough. Some people...

Hi all:D My little Australorps are now 4 weeks old, They are starting to get that hen shape which is cute and are eating lots of food. They especially like boiled egg. The question I have is that they are getting bigger and they have quite a few feathers now. For now the brooder seems big enough...

Thanks PK, they are cute. I cant wait until they are big and shiny strutting their stuff in my garden thanks

Justy got my little baby Australorps, apparently all hens as sexed by hatchery. They are two weeks of age and are just getting used to me and feeding out of my hand. still a little skittish and dont like to be held much as yet. but im sure with time and patience that will change.

Hi, Just got three 2 week old Australorp chicks. Very cute. They have learned to eat from my hand thanks to some boiled egg and coaxing. But they are still extremely skittish when I try to pick them up. Because of the size of the box I have to reach in and pick them. I try to be as gentle as...

:)Hi, More brooder questions Thanks so much people for a wonderful lot of information to digest. I have a couple more questions. I intend to keep the chix in the garage as my wife is not comfortable with them in the house because our 18mth old will undoubtedly grab the box and drag it round...

I am expecting my first batch of Australorp chicks in a couple of weeks and need to start thinking about brooders etc. When I was a lad, people used ordinary electric light bulbs to keep chicks warm in a cardboard box. Can you still do this? I don’t want to spend a tonne of cash on something I...

Hi Chickenista, thanks for the advice. My guess is that there will be a 6 week gap between the two. As the wyandottes will be bantams maybe it wont be too bad to put regular sized Australorp chicks in with them once they reach 6 weeks? size difference might actually be relatively the same...

Hi all, I'm putting my first little flock of 4-5 birds together. I am getting some Wyandotte bantams and standard Australorps but I have to purchase at different ages in order to ensure that they are sexed and that I will have a much less chance of getting roosters. roosters are a big no no...

Hi there I have the option to purchase some Australorp/Buff Orpington Cross baby chicks. Does anyone have any familiarity with this type of crossbreed - am i right to assume that it will have the characteristics of both the Australopr and Oprington? it follows therefore that they should be a...

Hi all, OK, i have decided that I can fit four hens in my backyard (still have to make a coop). As a beginner, would it be ok to have a second breed in the coop? i was thinking of getting two Australorps and two Orpingtons. would this be a good flock? as per my first post, im after pets and...

Well, looks like you made my mind up. I think i'll get three Australorp hens as 5 week olds. i'll keep you updated as to my coop and how it all come together. thanks again Adrian

Hi and thanks for excellent advice. Ed, my climate is temperate with mild cool winters (nights - 5-10 deg C, days 16-19 deg C) and hot dry summers (regularly over 35 C during the day with some days over 45 degC). Well, i think I will get Australorps. Still deciding on bantam or LF but at this...

:cdHi all. I am so excited to be getting chickens and i am doing some careful research. 1. are Wyandottes and Australorps good choices for eggs and friendliness? I have a small boy so a docile and friendly bird is a must. 2. In regards to size, would it be better to choose bantams rather...