Australorps breed Thread

[teaton]

My experience as well. The line I have (from a Sustainable Poultry Network breeder) lays well for about 4-5 years. The cockerels I process at 16 weeks are a good large carcass of 5 lbs and I find the taste superior to my other layer breeds. The hatchery birds I have seen are smaller, so I would definitely go with a breeder who breeds for true dual purpose.

Thats good to know, I think they will be a good addition with our production reds on our farm, theyve slowed down quite a bit this year.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
General -Most Breeds Slow down as they age / and or winter laying ...1st years almost always lay through the winter ..
Some people add additional hours of light ..to make this up ...I dont ...I let them lay naturally
I have mixed breeds - Having a few new hens each year helps with the egg supply through the winter ..as they lay almost every day ..and the rest every 2 - 3 days

 

[Gramma Chick]

A good day TO AIR THE COOP....Crazy wind today in New York State

 

[AussieMama]

First day in BYC so forgive me of oversharing.
My first chickens are Black Aussies, yesterday they just turned 27 weeks old.

They're both roosters and are fully mature, one is named Krule (my avatar) and the other is Kyle. Kyle is taller and thinner, but Krule holds himself as the top cock. They very rarely henpeck but when they do Kyle is always beat up and a few hock feathers are torn.

But other than that, they both get along well.

Today Krule is starting to dance at and follow me around, he also clucks like a mother hen does to her chicks. I thought he was about to fight me, lol. Kyle doesn't do that, but he does cluck like that. I don't know why Krule does it. I read up about it and heard that roosters do that to proclaim some sort of dominance, but I don't think Krule would do that to me, since he never struggles when I pick him up, or bites when I have to pluck a feather.

Does anyone have stories of rooster keeping?

 

[ronott1]

First day in BYC so forgive me of oversharing.
My first chickens are Black Aussies, yesterday they just turned 27 weeks old.

They're both roosters and are fully mature, one is named Krule (my avatar) and the other is Kyle. Kyle is taller and thinner, but Krule holds himself as the top cock. They very rarely henpeck but when they do Kyle is always beat up and a few hock feathers are torn.

But other than that, they both get along well.

Today Krule is starting to dance at and follow me around, he also clucks like a mother hen does to her chicks. I thought he was about to fight me, lol. Kyle doesn't do that, but he does cluck like that. I don't know why Krule does it. I read up about it and heard that roosters do that to proclaim some sort of dominance, but I don't think Krule would do that to me, since he never struggles when I pick him up, or bites when I have to pluck a feather.

Does anyone have stories of rooster keeping?

They sound like good cockerels!

Don't turn your back on the one that is dancing for you. He will likely not hurt you but better safe than sorry.

 

[antny]

Well Zach's Australorp did well at the Hollister, CA show in January. He was Champion English and then went on to take Best in Show!!! Wow, how exciting...We actually beat Bruce Sherman!

Bruce has such great birds. Way to go Zach Rose

 

[pioneerchick816]

@antny
What a beautiful bird

Congrats!

 

[ronott1]

Well Zach's Australorp did well at the Hollister, CA show in January. He was Champion English and then went on to take Best in Show!!! Wow, how exciting...We actually beat Bruce Sherman!

Bruce has such great birds. Way to go Zach Rose

Very nice!

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Take notes guys, that is what an American Black Australorp is supposed to look like, CONGRATULATIONS!
Kurt

 

[mamatink7]

We have 6 gorgeous Black Australorps (end of April 2016 hatch). 2 of the girls were severely pecked in November & stopped laying, isolated them while they fully healed. Both are absolutely gorgeous and laying wonderfully once again. These are definitely one of MY favorite breeds. How do I know if they are show quality though? We are wanting to have the twins begin showing this spring, we have 4 breeds to choose from (buff Orpington, golden & silver laced Wyandottes, black australorps) as 2 breeds are not pure: golden comet & easter Eggers.