Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[K Spot]

Hi everyone. I just signed up and I thought I'd wander over to the Aussie section. I'm in Western Sydney. I am so new I don't have a single bird yet.

Nice to have you on board!

 

[stripedsocks]

Where's the best place to go to get an idea of what breeds are available in Oz or do especially well? I'm getting the impression that not every variety that's available in the States is out here? (Though I'm guessing I could get Australorps...)

 

[K Spot]

Thanks K, sorry about your little rock. I hate the heat.

Thanks Fancy - I hate the heat too, but I can bear it. I don't like it for my girls

 

[satay]

Where's the best place to go to get an idea of what breeds are available in Oz or do especially well? I'm getting the impression that not every variety that's available in the States is out here? (Though I'm guessing I could get Australorps...)

We have a lot of breeds here. Just ask and one of us should be able to tell you if you can get them here or not.

 

[K Spot]

Where's the best place to go to get an idea of what breeds are available in Oz or do especially well? I'm getting the impression that not every variety that's available in the States is out here? (Though I'm guessing I could get Australorps...)

Yes absolutely you can get Australorps, but it also depends on what you want chickens for. Just eggs? Dual purpose ie eggs and meat? Family pets?

I have a flock of Sussex, Orpingtons, Welsummers, Dorking, Araucana, Black Sex Links and have just hatched Faverolles and Araucana chicks.

 

[stripedsocks]

I want them for eggs. Entertainment/tameness would be nice too, but really eggs. They won't get eaten, but I'd like them to be more than decorative.

I was a bit torn on what would be best for a newbie, i.e. ones smart/scrappy enough to maybe forage a bit or keep an eye out for predators, or ones that are super soft and dopey but willing to let that strange lady pick them up. I could see pluses or minuses either way.

I was looking at Australorps for dopey, Sumatras for scrappy, and sex-links for being sure I had hens? But I could be easily convinced to go another way, except I don't really want a strictly show/pet breed like Silkies, as cute as they are.

 

[K Spot]

Sumatra's, from what I've heard, are flighty and not very good egg producers. I'm not sure we have them here in Oz tbh.

Australorps, Sex Links and Leghorns would be a good starting point. All are good egg producing breeds.

I'm a decorative/ornamental chicken enthusiast myself, although the breeds I have are good layers as well.

 

[stripedsocks]

The ornamental ones can be gorgeous I just don't feel like I know enough for that. Eggs = yum I know.

 

[K Spot]

The first girls I ever got was an Orpington, a Coronation Sussex and a Speckled Sussex - pretty to look at and not bad layers either.

Then I got Araucanas; they lay blue/green eggs (one of my Ara's is my avatar)

Then Welsummers - they are a beautiful salmon, brown and gold colour and are good layers of brown eggs.

I was gifted my two Black Sex Links.

I've also had a Naked Neck and a Salmon Faverolles but they've since passed away.

Ornamental doesn't necessarily mean more care or work. They are just quirky and nice to look at as well. And if anyone knows me, I like my quirky

 

[cwrite]

I want them for eggs. Entertainment/tameness would be nice too, but really eggs. They won't get eaten, but I'd like them to be more than decorative.

I was a bit torn on what would be best for a newbie, i.e. ones smart/scrappy enough to maybe forage a bit or keep an eye out for predators, or ones that are super soft and dopey but willing to let that strange lady pick them up. I could see pluses or minuses either way.

I was looking at Australorps for dopey, Sumatras for scrappy, and sex-links for being sure I had hens? But I could be easily convinced to go another way, except I don't really want a strictly show/pet breed like Silkies, as cute as they are.

Welcome : ) Another nice way to choose breeds is by egg colour if you are wanting them for eggs. You might find this link useful for general guidelines on what we have here & how productive they are. I've also heard that the larger birds suffer more in the heat & given that this is my first summer with chooks I have yet to find out how much the ones I have will struggle.
http://www.backyardpoultry.com/wiki/index.php/Chicken_Breeds_Chart