Australorps breed Thread

[RoseMarie1]

I hear you all about stand offish Australorps--That's me too! My lorps just get close enough to grab the food. I've gotten them to jump in my lap for treats--but once the treats are gone they are gone too. They do follow me around the yard though and they come when I call--such sweet birds.

I am noticing that my birds don't like to hunker down when they roost--they just stand there on the 2x4 or in once case the bird sleeps in the corner. Is this an Australorp thing?

oh you're doing well then because mine has NEVER jumped in my lap for anything not even snacks.

Now they will follow me around the yard with the RIR's. But yes they are VERY sweet birds and WILL hold their own when they need to. Most of mine will come when they are called but I do have 1-2 that are a little ornery. But they will FINALLY come. Mine doesn't stand on the roost they usually sit but mine is 2x4 boards turned to where the 4" side is what they stand on or sit on. This way their feet will be warm in the winter when they sit on them they will be covered is what I was thinking.

 

[RoseMarie1]

The nice thing about our BAs is that they are Utility chickens. They are workers and love to forage. Just for kicks, go out with a shovel and did up a weed or two and watch them go to work!

I like the fact that they are not too needy. I have a Blue Marans and a couple of Barred Rocks that get right up to me--I sometimes step on their feet. I have never stepped on a BA...They are not a lot of work either.

You know Ron I haven't thought of that but I haven't either. I have stepped on my RIR hens feet so many times until it's not funny because they get right under me when I am walking. Will have to get my shovel out tomorrow and dug to see what they do. lol

 

[Historyhobbit]

oh you're doing well then because mine has NEVER jumped in my lap for anything not even snacks.

Now they will follow me around the yard with the RIR's. But yes they are VERY sweet birds and WILL hold their own when they need to. Most of mine will come when they are called but I do have 1-2 that are a little ornery. But they will FINALLY come. Mine doesn't stand on the roost they usually sit but mine is 2x4 boards turned to where the 4" side is what they stand on or sit on. This way their feet will be warm in the winter when they sit on them they will be covered is what I was thinking.

My roost is on the side too--same thought about them covering their feet in winter. I'm glad they are so hearty, I'm already feeling the pangs of leaving them out in the cold. Everyone assures me that BA are fine in the cold so *I'm* the one who will have to be strong! lol!

 

[DeesHens]

I hear you all about stand offish Australorps--That's me too! My lorps just get close enough to grab the food. I've gotten them to jump in my lap for treats--but once the treats are gone they are gone too. They do follow me around the yard though and they come when I call--such sweet birds.

I am noticing that my birds don't like to hunker down when they roost--they just stand there on the 2x4 or in once case the bird sleeps in the corner. Is this an Australorp thing?

I don't know. My two get on the roost with my Barr Rock and sleep "hunkered down". Maybe they learned from Betsy Barr Rock?

~Dee~

 

[DeesHens]

Quote: O boy! Sixteen names to remember and keep mentally tagged to the right chicken. Lots of luck.

~Dee~

 

[DeesHens]

Quote: These are the things I have learned in here. Day old pullet chicks have wing feather development on tips whereas roo does not. Comb and wattle development is sooner, larger and red sooner on roo. Pullets are smaller & more pale colored longer in most cases. (That is what I see in your pics BTW) Though there is always the exception to keep things interesting.

Also Stan has told us the legs are thicker on the roos. Saddle feathers on the roo. That one is difficult for me to tell early as I can go by the comb and wattle more easily on BA's. Hope that helps.
~Dee~

 

[DeesHens]

Quote:

Quote: That sounds good to me. Also I read on another BYC forum that the benefit of having the 4" side of the 2x4 for them to stand on is they are less likely to get bumblefoot.

~Dee~

Quote: When my BA's see the shovel they run away scared but my old wise one Betsy Barr Rock knows worms are a coming.

She is ready! Guess the youngsters haven't had as much experience yet and don't get it yet.

When my BA's know I have treats on me they do get under foot and I accidentally stepped on Bella's foot a couple days ago. I didn't hurt her fortunately but I did feel bad so am more conscious of them under foot now. They all charge at me every time I open the door to go in the paddock. They have me trained to bring treats to throw out to run them off.

Never ending cycle. I feel like a treat dispenser for sure between them and my two dogs. ~Dee~

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Could any of you explain how you arrived at your decision? I am guessing as I learn that one of the most telling features may be the comb does not come back further on the head? Halfway or less is pullet and 2/3 of the way back or more indicates likely rooster? The other thing is the waddles if they are wide and not hanging down more likely pullet? What else did you see here to decide pullet?

Go to my profile page and check out my Australorp breed thread pics. There is a lot of pics of BA's with every two weeks of development up to about 24 weeks. The bird that was in question was supposed to be 10 weeks old. If it was a cockerel and not a pullet it would have a much larger comb and much larger wattles not waddles. Feet, pointed hackle feathers, and pointed saddle feathers are other telltale signs. I hope this helps you.
Kurt

 

[vickiw]

 
oh you're doing well then because mine has NEVER jumped in my lap for anything not even snacks.   Now they will follow me around the yard with the RIR's. But yes they are VERY sweet birds and WILL hold their own when they need to. Most of mine will come when they are called but I do have 1-2 that are a little ornery. But they will FINALLY come. Mine doesn't stand on the roost they usually sit but mine is 2x4 boards turned to where the 4" side is what they stand on or sit on. This way their feet will be warm in the winter when they sit on them they will be covered is what I was thinking.

My roost is on the side too--same thought about them covering their feet in winter. I'm glad they are so hearty, I'm already feeling the pangs of leaving them out in the cold. Everyone assures me that BA are fine in the cold so *I'm* the one who will have to be strong! lol!

That was one of the reasons I decided to add, and eventually go entirely, with Aussies up here in the Northwoods where our first snow might come by next Friday and temps can hit -20 to -30 for several nights in a row in January and February. Their heavy feathering helps keep them warm and their large bodies help warm the coop. I do plan to Vaseline the large and growing larger, comb on my boy to protect him from painful frostbite and I do have a radiant heater in the coop for the worst nights. Otherwise, I have a well insulated, draft free and well ventilated coop that's kept clean and dry and my chooks do fine. Of course, they do have a greenhouse to play in when the snow gets deep and I remove some of the patio bricks from the floor so they can take a dustbath while they sunbath.

 

[vickiw]

QUESTION F O R THE AUSSIE GURUS PLEASE

my little girl will be 20 weeks old within a week or so. The days are already getting short (tho I do add a little extended "daylight" to the coop) and it's already getting cold. So, do you think she might start to l a y yet or will she wait for spring? Do Aussies lay through the winter? I know there are some breeds that do.