Australorps breed Thread

[ronott1]

Ok BA friends-- I need some advice! I have four pullets and this is our first winter together (they are almost 9 months old). I have two that roost beautifully in the coop on a 2'x4' set on it's side. The coop is a small urban coop that is 4'x4' and snug with nesting boxes off the main coop.But the other two refuse to roost on the roost. One sleeps in the nesting box and the other roosts on the edge of the nesting box which is just the plywood edge holding the straw in. I have been taking the birds and setting them on the roost every night for weeks and they refuse to do it themselves.

I worry about the one chicken sleeping in her poo (and then the others going into the poo nest to lay) and I worry about the other chicken's feet if she insists on roosting on the thin plywood edge. I also worry about both of them not huddling with the others for warmth now that the cold is here.

SO--am I just worrying like a first time mom? Should I just leave them be and scoop the poop everyday?

The 2x4 needs to be flat, so that they roost on the 4" part of the board. The roost should be lower than 2 feet high but higher than the top of the nest box. Even then they can be stubborn sometimes. We were just posting about that. a couple of days ago.,,,

Another thing to try is to cover the nest box or make a door for it--Close it before they want to coop up and open it in the morning. You probably would not have to do that too long before they figure out that the roost is a good place to go.

Do you have pictures of them?

 

[Historyhobbit]

The 2x4 needs to be flat, so that they roost on the 4" part of the board. The roost should be lower than 2 feet high but higher than the top of the nest box. Even then they can be stubborn sometimes. We were just posting about that. a couple of days ago.,,,

Another thing to try is to cover the nest box or make a door for it--Close it before they want to coop up and open it in the morning. You probably would not have to do that too long before they figure out that the roost is a good place to go.

Do you have pictures of them?

Hmmmm my roost is turned to the 4'' part, but it is about the same height as the nesting box...that may be the issue. I like the idea of a door. I think I'll try it. thanks!

I have SOOO many pictures. My camera used to be filled with cat pics and now it is filled with chicken pics. Yep. I'm that person. ha! This is through an instagram filter, so the light is a bit weird. You can see behind Mary Todd that my roost is just about the same height at the nesting box.


Here they are not sure of the sand I put in their little run...the eventually loved it.


First dusting of snow...they couldn't have cared less.

 

[jeronica]

Hmmmm my roost is turned to the 4'' part, but it is about the same height as the nesting box...that may be the issue. I like the idea of a door. I think I'll try it. thanks!

I have SOOO many pictures. My camera used to be filled with cat pics and now it is filled with chicken pics. Yep. I'm that person. ha! This is through an instagram filter, so the light is a bit weird. You can see behind Mary Todd that my roost is just about the same height at the nesting box.


Here they are not sure of the sand I put in their little run...the eventually loved it.


First dusting of snow...they couldn't have cared less.

Beautiful girls! I can't wait until mine look like that!

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote: I love this Picture ..
" OWWWHH whats that Grey Stuff ?"
" I Dont Know ? " Im Glad we have these stumps to stand on "
" Lets not Touch it ...in case it is poison or something "

 

[chickenboy190]

Hello! I have 3 BA's and 2 of them are laying

but how come they don't seem to grow?

 

[ronott1]

Hello! I have 3 BA's and 2 of them are laying

but how come they don't seem to grow?

Are they from a Hatchery?

The hatchery Australorps are much smaller.

 

[ronott1]

Hmmmm my roost is turned to the 4'' part, but it is about the same height as the nesting box...that may be the issue. I like the idea of a door. I think I'll try it. thanks!

I have SOOO many pictures. My camera used to be filled with cat pics and now it is filled with chicken pics. Yep. I'm that person. ha! This is through an instagram filter, so the light is a bit weird. You can see behind Mary Todd that my roost is just about the same height at the nesting box.


Here they are not sure of the sand I put in their little run...the eventually loved it.


First dusting of snow...they couldn't have cared less.

I hope you can get them out of the nest box at night. It is not fun cleaning the poo out each morning.

You have a very nice flock. The are great foragers too I can see...

 

[chickenboy190]

Are they from a Hatchery?

The hatchery Australorps are much smaller.

I bought them at a store called Rural King which is like Tractor Supply co.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
It also depends on what else you have too ...What are you comparing them to ? Ducks ?

 

[chickenboy190]

It also depends on what else you have too ...What are you comparing them to ? Ducks ?

I'm comparing them to my older full grown chickens and other people BA's.