Australorps breed Thread

[ronott1]

Me too! Nice birds. I have no use for birds that hang around the houses unless the weather is really too bad .

One of my Original Australorps died last night. She was three years old-the symptoms were cancer. She has been slowing down for several weeks now.

Yesterday afternoon she insisted on getting out of the coop and eating some of the Oatmeal treat.

Needless to say I have been very impressed with them. She was a Hatchery Lorp.

 

[hellbender]

One of my Original Australorps died last night. She was three years old-the symptoms were cancer. She has been slowing down for several weeks now.

Yesterday afternoon she insisted on getting out of the coop and eating some of the Oatmeal treat.

Needless to say I have been very impressed with them. She was a Hatchery Lorp.

Really sorry to hear this. No matter how long one has birds, there are some that kinda' get next to you! I have a young cockerel (Turken/NN from this years hatch that has me in the palm of his 'hand' lol I plan to use him over some very nice red hens next year....partially because I like the conformation of them all plus they have great layers behind them and they are naturally 'friendly sweet-hearts'.

I like to be able to reach down and pick up a bird when I want...that of course can't always happen with a flock the size of this but none of them are wired or flighty in any way. The cockerel I'm talking about acts like he's been raised in the house and ...if there was any way he could have been house trained...lololol Lets just say, I'm fond of him.

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

A pic of one of this years Australorp pullets. Very typical of our production stock, with hens frequently going over 7.5 to 8 pounds. I know..too large for the SOP but I will continue to emphasize production in both The Australorps and Turkens, despite the fact that we are planning to establish a strain of Turken/Naked Neck SOP birds.

Also, I know full well that most of my flock in no where near SOP...I care for them as if they were and keep ALL of them in 'SHOW BLOOM' at all times. It's not easy but it does help keep the egg production up, by feeding them unorthodox yet very nutritious diets.

@ Hellbender............................... can you explain "show bloom " Where are you located ? 7.5 - 8 lbs is a nice size bird !

 

[hellbender]

@ Hellbender............................... can you explain "show bloom " Where are you located ? 7.5 - 8 lbs is a nice size bird !

Well...It's complicated. 'Show Bloom' is common term around dog shows, of which I'm quite familiar.

Some think I feed a bizarre diet to my layers and indeed to all my birds past their very young stage. I feed it warm in the winter and cold in the summer.

I live in rural West Virginia...(thought that was clear) and many farmers butcher their own beef. Many of them save 5 gallon buckets of blood for me and I prepare it for my birds...I fill large tubs about one third with water, some salt, Old Bay seasoning and lots of garlic...start them boiling and slowly pour the blood into the tubs 'til it KLOTZ, much like big chums of liver.....this is frozen in 5 gallon buckets until needed.

Several years ago, my dad bought two commercial pressure cookers...I cook road-kill deer in these until their bones turn to smunch. Freeze like above.

I also have a commercial grinder..I dispatch unwanted grown cockerels and spent hens... grind them too...ALL of them...beak to feet. Cook under pressure.

With the above components, I mix various grains, Calf Manna, alfalfa pellets, BOSS and DE and a portion of good commercial food (Layena)....This combined with all the pasture they can get (sometimes tough in winter) and it works for my birds....Keeps them in what I call show bloom...excellent condition, feathers and flesh.

Not to say they don't have their natural molts like all chickens but they don't seem too severe and many of the birds continue to lay.

Sorry you asked?

 

[hellbender]

@ Hellbender............................... can you explain "show bloom " Where are you located ? 7.5 - 8 lbs is a nice size bird.

 

[hellbender]

SORRY...DOUBLE POST......

 

[george french]

can I join the thread

 

[ronott1]

can I join the thread

Post pictures!

 

[george french]

Post pictures!

ok

thank you

 

[ocap]

can I join the thread

do you live "Where the Red Fern Grows"? I think that was the area of Oklahoma where the book took place.