Australorps breed Thread

[ronott1]

Hi Everyone. I ran across this at Stromberg's today. Since not everyone has access to "show quality" chicks I am wondering if this may be a step up from the typical hatchery BA chicks for those that would like to show for 4H or maybe for small breeding programs? They do say in the write up that these BA's may not lay eggs as well as their other BA's as they are bred for show. I wonder what criteria they use for their breeding for show program? Anyway, found it interesting so thought I'd post it here in case anyone else may want to explore it further or comment, etc. All my best to everyone.

http://www.strombergschickens.com/p...p-Chicks---Show-Quality/Show-Quality-Chickens

I am interested too.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Hi Everyone. I ran across this at Stromberg's today. Since not everyone has access to "show quality" chicks I am wondering if this may be a step up from the typical hatchery BA chicks for those that would like to show for 4H or maybe for small breeding programs? They do say in the write up that these BA's may not lay eggs as well as their other BA's as they are bred for show. I wonder what criteria they use for their breeding for show program? Anyway, found it interesting so thought I'd post it here in case anyone else may want to explore it further or comment, etc. All my best to everyone.

http://www.strombergschickens.com/p...p-Chicks---Show-Quality/Show-Quality-Chickens

Stromberg's is a dealer, not a hatchery or a breeder. Most of their show quality chicks come from their "neighbor" Duane Urch. Better to order direct from Duane.

Though, I have always liked ordering supplies from Stromberg's.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Thank You!

How well does Duane Urch pack his hatching eggs? Had a lot of trouble with someone from out that way.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Something to share with the thread....My Black Australorp rooster flogged me today. This is the second time he has done this and it was totally unprovoked. I fed the flock and turned to leave(same as the first time this happened) and he hit me. Now I am not new to roosters with this personality issue, as I grew up with game chickens, just totally amazed that this bird is doing this and over food. He is not even a year old so I am a believer that this will just get worse. Has anyone seen this behavior in any other Australorp? These birds are not hatchery birds they are from a Heritage flock.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote: Thank You!

How well does Duane Urch pack his hatching eggs? Had a lot of trouble with someone from out that way.

Duane Urch has been shipping chicks, eggs and adult fowl for decades! I believe he knows how to pack and ship.

Something to share with the thread....My Black Australorp rooster flogged me today. This is the second time he has done this and it was totally unprovoked. I fed the flock and turned to leave(same as the first time this happened) and he hit me. Now I am not new to roosters with this personality issue, as I grew up with game chickens, just totally amazed that this bird is doing this and over food. He is not even a year old so I am a believer that this will just get worse. Has anyone seen this behavior in any other Australorp? These birds are not hatchery birds they are from a Heritage flock.

I always give an aggressive male a chance to reform. I just offer love... lots of love. I "hug" him while feeding and watering everything. Just tuck him under your arm and carry him while you feed. After a few love lessons he will either enjoy your company or run in terror!

Here is my daughter Danyelle "loving" an aggressive gander. He will not even hiss at her now! He also RUNS when he sees her. They are not friends, but the battle is over. She won the war!

​

 

[thedragonlady]

Something to share with the thread....My Black Australorp rooster flogged me today. This is the second time he has done this and it was totally unprovoked. I fed the flock and turned to leave(same as the first time this happened) and he hit me. Now I am not new to roosters with this personality issue, as I grew up with game chickens, just totally amazed that this bird is doing this and over food. He is not even a year old so I am a believer that this will just get worse. Has anyone seen this behavior in any other Australorp? These birds are not hatchery birds they are from a Heritage flock.

Get yourself a really good water spray bottle. Full in the face tends to stop a lot of nonsense.
You need to stop this NOW.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Thank You!

How well does Duane Urch pack his hatching eggs? Had a lot of trouble with someone from out that way.

Duane Urch has been shipping chicks, eggs and adult fowl for decades! I believe he knows how to pack and ship.

Something to share with the thread....My Black Australorp rooster flogged me today. This is the second time he has done this and it was totally unprovoked. I fed the flock and turned to leave(same as the first time this happened) and he hit me. Now I am not new to roosters with this personality issue, as I grew up with game chickens, just totally amazed that this bird is doing this and over food. He is not even a year old so I am a believer that this will just get worse. Has anyone seen this behavior in any other Australorp? These birds are not hatchery birds they are from a Heritage flock.

I always give an aggressive male a chance to reform. I just offer love... lots of love. I "hug" him while feeding and watering everything. Just tuck him under your arm and carry him while you feed. After a few love lessons he will either enjoy your company or run in terror!

Here is my daughter Danyelle "loving" an aggressive gander. He will not even hiss at her now! He also RUNS when he sees her. They are not friends, but the battle is over. She won the war!

​

Thank You!

It was very sad to get a box of broken eggs and to find them wrapped up in news paper.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Get yourself a really good water spray bottle. Full in the face tends to stop a lot of nonsense.
You need to stop this NOW.

Yes, this is good advice as I have used water before (hose!) with mean birds and I have a good spray bottle. I have also heard about the carrying trick and may try that but the problem is I have a 3 almost 4 year old daughter and I just can not risk this big boy going after her and she is not able to carry a bird that size so he will not respect her. I was just really shocked that this otherwise docile, friendly breed of birds went after me. The girls are the best layer I have out of 8 breeds. I am just really bummed....

 

[Lobzi]

I had a pet australorp roo that I raised from a baby. He was my best buddy. I had occasional problems with him attacking my legs and cutting me pretty badly with his claws. I could not understand this because he was totally tame otherwise allowing me to pick him up, coming to me for comb petting and even sitting with me on the couch every night before roosting in the house. He never got used to sleeping in the coop with the flock. Anyway I finally figured out what the problem was for him...it was my shoes! Certain shoes I wore just upset him terribly. For instance, he hated some red slippers I had, some pink clogs and some green striped tennis shoes. I learned what I could wear around him and I never had the problem again. I dont know if that is the case with your roo but I thought Id share my similar experience with you.

 

[CarolynF]

Yes, this is good advice as I have used water before (hose!) with mean birds and I have a good spray bottle. I have also heard about the carrying trick and may try that but the problem is I have a 3 almost 4 year old daughter and I just can not risk this big boy going after her and she is not able to carry a bird that size so he will not respect her. I was just really shocked that this otherwise docile, friendly breed of birds went after me. The girls are the best layer I have out of 8 breeds. I am just really bummed....

Our son was in your situation with small daughters. He got fed up with the young roo -- grabbed him by the neck and shoved his face in the dirt and held it there for a bit. If one of the girls had been with him I'm sure he would have had her take over, while the bird was still under control of course. The girls are also very good about arming themselves with a good spray bottle. Good Luck!