About Black Australorps

[brightonchicks]

Thank you so much for your advice. Do your chickens raise their own chicks? Do you have an Aussie rooster, if so are they nice or mean roosters?

 

[Ibicella]

Australorps are my favorite breed of chicken! They are very affectionate and loving, have strikingly beautiful plumage of black shimmering with metallic green, blue, and purple, lay wonderful large brown eggs prolifically, and if you plan to use for meat, dress out beautifully. I heartily recommend them to everyone thinking of getting into chickens as a perfect beginner breed.

We had one up until a couple of days ago who was a sweet little dear, but the chick was killed in a freak accident.

 

[TwoCrows]

I don't have an Aussie rooster but many members here on BYC have them and say they are super sweet. Each bird has it's personality, but I think the roo's do tend to be docile and friendly as the hens are.

 

[S5apiotrowski]

We picked up an Aussie a few weeks before starting to lay eggs. She warmed right up to us and always runs to be near us (I am sure the treats helped). She is very friendly with people - and lays a large brown egg every day. She missed one day and then layer 2 eggs the next. We started with 2 hens, and the Aussie was number 2 of 2 in the pecking order - but now we have expanded our flock to 7. This expansion was very recent - and the Aussie has been very aggressive towards the other birds (while still being very docile with humans). The birds are starting to calm down and sort themselves out, but I was shocked to see how mean she was to other birds considering how friendly she is otherwise.

 

[TwoCrows]

All breeds have the potential to be aggressive with newbies in the flock. This is just the natural ways of chickens. Some breeds are more aggressive than others, but even Australorps can be aggressive in the pecking order. If you mix new birds in slowly by keeping them in a cage or fenced off area within the flock for a few weeks, and then mix them in, generally the aggression is a lot less.

 

[Triumph]

I just got 8 Australorp chicks. They are about two weeks old. I baught them at tractor supply and was told they make great broilers? Is this true? I know they are great great layers and suppose to be dual purpose? This is my first experience with this breed. Any response is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[whitney556]

We have a few Aussies, they aren't laying yet though. We didn't handle them much as chicks but they are still pretty friendly and will let me and my 1 1/2 year old come up to them and pet them for a minute. There is one hen though that is braver and cockier than the others. She will wander off on her own and has even pecked my chihuahua on his toes, lol, it obviously didn't hurt though, he just lifted his foot, looked at her for a second, than continued trying to play with her. So behavior wise, I would say they are great birds!

 

[Australorper]

I have 13 three month old hens from chicks. Urban setting. Very pleasant and VERY quiet. Will they stay as quiet as they get older?

 

[chickiema]

I have 6 chicks that will be 6 weeks tomorrow. They are very good chicks and very friendly. My 2 grandchildren 4 & 2 love them and the chicks love them back. They stand pretty good while the 2 year old lightly pets them. They will eat a treat right out of their hands. They are not aggressive with humans at all but our basset/blue heeler mix dog likes to try and herd them in their run ( of course he is on the outside) and barks when one goes off away from the flock. It is too funny. If the dog keeps barking the largest one will flap her wings at him. They are so much fun to watch.