Apparently you can’t die of embarrassment..

[kattabelly]

Tried all the wing feathering approaches in the first week, to sex them, but not convinced this works with Black Australorps.

It only works on chicks (not breeds, individual chicks - you need to know which fast- or slow-feathering genes their parents carry) that have been specifically bred for it.

 

[Ian B]

It only works on chicks (not breeds, individual chicks - you need to know which fast- or slow-feathering genes their parents carry) that have been specifically bred for it.

Yes, I realise that now. All I want is three egg laying Black Australorp hens, but it seems to be a long road getting to that point. Started back in July 2025, with six fertile (supposedly) eggs. Another 12 eggs later, 18 eggs in all and a hatch number overall of 5... all ending up as cockerels! Many of the eggs proved to be infertile and a couple started to develop, but did not continue. Tried a different supplier recently and things are looking good. I am documenting all of our learnings, so that our experience is not lost, to us at least.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Well, in Australia it is fairly typical for magpies to swoop people and other animals during magpie breeding season. For some reason they seem to perceive other critters in the vicinity of their nest as a threat. An exception is that if people are offering treats to magpies in their backyards, the birds don't display aggressive behaviour, but I have seen Postmen on motorbikes being swooped by magpies on a busy street in Bundaberg, QLD, Australia.

Ahh right right, didn't notice the name was yours

Did a quick lookup
Turns out your magpies are different from our magpies

 

[z3lda3]

Well, they are sort of indoors, not in our house, but in their 'hut.' Long story short, we now have just four 2 week-old Black Australorp chickens in a brooder, which we hope are pullets. Tried all the wing feathering approaches in the first week, to sex them, but not convinced this works with Black Australorps. However, early tail feathering has us hopeful. We heard that it is easy for novices to injure day-old chickens when attempting to vent-sex them, so we avoided that.

I have a black Australorp hen, J.C
She’s so calm and docile. She a beautiful girl! And when she was a week old I just knew she was a cockerel, her comb popped up, her feathering…but 2 years later and she’s given me hundreds of beautiful pink eggs.
One of her flock mates went broody and hatched one of JCs eggs. It’s half black Australorp and half white leghorn. It’s only 7 weeks old, but so far it’s white with a black feather here and there, and the most friendly little thing.

 

[SourRoses]

Inquiring minds want to know...
Do guy chicken keepers also wear pajamas out there?

 

[kattabelly]

Inquiring minds want to know...
Do guy chicken keepers also wear pajamas out there?

Sometimes in the winter I keep my pajamas on all day and just chuck some oilskins/overalls/salopettes on over the top to go out to the chickens or to a job or into town.

 

[RoyalChick]

Wait wait wait! I just thought of one from a couple years ago. Let me preface this by saying I had just watched a YouTube video about layering while wearing dresses to stay warm. Supposed to keep you warmer than wearing pants. So I bought a dress of heavier weighted material, was trying it on when I heard my ups man pull up. I pulled on boots and coat and went to get the packages (it was Christmas time, so I wanted to get them in before my kids seen anything). Off I go going down my ICY driveway and slipped. Then slid. All the way down to the ups truck, with my dress ruffled up around me. The driver, literally caught me, to stop my skid. I was so embarrassed and to pour salt on the wound as I was thanking him, and walking back, I FELL AGAIN! Face planted into my holly bush. Needless to say I never wore that dress, and threw those boots in the trash.
Thanks oh so much for unlocking that memory.

For future reference the dress goes on top of the pants.
Leggings and a dress is actually quite a good combo for warmth and coverage.
I have traded the dress for big and tall men’s outer wear. I am short so it all comes down below my knees and keeps me nice and cozy.