Are Australorps especially laid back?

[mallorysinclair]

Hello! I've read that Australorps are very docile birds, but I have one that seems to be an extreme case and I can't decide whether she might have a low grade illness. I have five chicks (1 black australorp, 2 araucanas, 2 isa browns) and the araucanas just won't leave her alone. She seems fine when she's outside free ranging--active and alert, but back in the brooder she sleeps a lot and is definitely the one who gets pecked the most. Her growth seems normal. Any thoughts on this??

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

My MIL has them and no, hers are wild and the rooster is mean. Of course, she doesn't handle her birds at all...but they don't seem to be interested in being handled, either.

 

[J.S. Webb]

They are not very docile.

 

[jenanneray]

I have 3 australorps, and they are very friendly. They tolerate being picked up and are easy to catch (if I need to catch them). They're usually the first ones to run for treats, too. I love mine!

 

[jeaucamom]

I have australorps now and I have had them in the past. I wouldn't call them docile like lt brahmas and salmon favs but they are friendly and curious and sweet. They have wonderful personalities, and are usually the first to come running up to say even when I don't have treats. It kind of sounds like your girl is just the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[sheila3935]

I have 2 aussies. They are very calm not overly friendly. I have one that hatched 7 babies 2 weeks ago. She never even attempted to peck me or even growl at me when I candled her eggs and she will let me pick up her babies. She does get a little freaky when they holler but she doesnt act aggressive about it. She will come up and let me pet her while I am in there watching the babies. She has become much friendlier since she became broody. I do notice that they tend to hang out together and not with the others as much.

 

[Katydid2011]

We have Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Black Sex Links, Delwares and an Americauna. The Wyandottes and Australorps are the least friendly of the lot but the Australorps are calmer and more docile in temperament than the Wyandottes. Our Australorps are also rather low in the pecking order. They're very easy to overlook in our flock, the Australorps, because they're always hanging back while the other more gregarious birds are begging to be petted and picked up.

With that in mind, it seems to me like your Australorp may be laying low in the coop, hoping to avoid unwanted attention from girls higher in the pecking order. Out free-ranging, the dominant birds likely aren't focused on her so she can relax and be at peace.

 

[mallorysinclair]

Thank you everyone! It makes me want to give her a little extra love! I've been separating the one really pecky araucana when she tries to harass Penelope but the thought that Pen is sleeping so much because of stress makes me want to chuck the aggressive one to the hawks. (ok, not really).

 

[Eatin'Dirt]

Mine are very sweet. But not the ones who get picked on. I had a stray rooster show up in my yard & my 3 Australorps were my guards or ninja's! They, at the same time< jumped on him & beat him up! But the do not do that to the other hens or my rooster.

 

[CowgirlPenny]

I have three and only one tolerates me picking her up, the other two sqwak and flap like I'm killing them even though they were all raised and handled the same. They are quiet, big and shy girls. They are not the first to run to the door, but also wont shy away from taking snacks from my hand. They are not as bad as some others I've seen!