Australorps breed Thread

[tnmommy]

My Aussies are all gentle chickens, even the rooster. They have an occasional squabble but that is just the pecking order. They have the order set and other than the occasional peck, it's all good. Maybe yours is still just establishing the pecking order? Because the breed isn't known to be that ornery. What are the other breeds in your flock?

 

[Tjack101]

The other 3 are two EE and one red sex link. I thought they were supposed to be docile and sweet? Not the case with mixed flocks?

 

[tnmommy]

They can be very active but like most chickens, they will try to get to the top of the pecking order. If your others are more docile, the Aussie will take advantage of that. Is she going for blood, or grabbing the neck feathers when they are near food?

 

[Tjack101]

Considering isolating her for a week or so or letting her go for a 1-2 week stay at my cousins where she has older chickens that will put her in her place then try to bring her back and see if that brought her down from alpha.

 

[Tjack101]

I want to say she follows them and picks on them but they all follow each other its kinda like monkey see money do. They run when they see her coming their direction though. She always pecks at the rear/back of them.

 

[ronott1]

The other 3 are two EE and one red sex link. I thought they were supposed to be docile and sweet? Not the case with mixed flocks?

They usually are docile. Do you have a dog crate or kennel? If so, keep her in it where the others can see her. Let them work out the pecking order through the bars.

Another consideration is getting to Point of Lay. Some Pullets get a bit agitated waiting for that first egg and then calm down after.

One more thing, what are you feeding them? The Australorp might need a bit more protein. The lack of protein can cause some aggression.

Like Ron said though, get her an Australorp Pal Australorps really like to hang together.

Check my Siggy. I have a mixture of most of those breeds all together in a layer flock. The Bresse are off in a breeding pen and the Crele Pene x Cream Legbars are in a separate pen too but the others are getting a long famously--in gangs. The Australorps hang out together and so do the HRIRs, even the Kittle line from Horstman. The lone Dorking likes to go up onto the top of the coop with the blue Marans. Go figure!

They make little flocks within the big flock. One more Australorp would tip the balance, especially if she were a little bigger.

I hope this helps!

 

[birdlady79]

My EE bullied my Aussies(2) and the others so bad, I culled her... The flock is so much calmer now.... My Aussies stick together always... It's kind of weird at night bc my Aussies are on one side and the other three a BO, BR, Wellie are on other... They will go over and sit with the Aussies but when It gets dark the bigger 3 go to other side of roost..... The Aussies hate being handled but are starting to come around the more I pick them up...

 

[Tjack101]

They usually are docile. Do you have a dog crate or kennel? If so, keep her in it where the others can see her. Let them work out the pecking order through the bars.

Another consideration is getting to Point of Lay. Some Pullets get a bit agitated waiting for that first egg and then calm down after.

One more thing, what are you feeding them? The Australorp might need a bit more protein. The lack of protein can cause some aggression.

Like Ron said though, get her an Australorp Pal Australorps really like to hang together.



They make little flocks within the big flock. One more Australorp would tip the balance, especially if she were a little bigger.

Great points. I was considering isolating her in a dog crate but away from the flock.

They are only 11 ish weeks old so not sure it is the point of lay. Though she is almost twice the size of the others so she may be older. But that may be she is just fluffy as that breed is.

I am feeding the the starter feed and planned on switching to laying pellets in 5 weeks. I also put down scratch every day and give them meal worms every other day.

I worry that getting another one would only double my problem and give me two bullies.... No?

 

[Gramma Chick]

Considering isolating her for a week or so or letting her go for a 1-2 week stay at my cousins where she has older chickens that will put her in her place then try to bring her back and see if that brought her down from alpha.

Isolation should be good ...she will have to establish pecking order when she returns .
Be careful how you introduce her to the older flock ..
Are you sure you have 2 EE s ? The white one looks like a white plymouth rock to me .
I dont see beards on either of them ( the white one & patterned one )

 

[Tjack101]

Are you sure you have 2 EE s ? The white one looks like a white plymouth rock to me .
I dont see beards on either of them ( the white one & patterned one )

Yes, the pic is 1-2 weeks old. They have green legs and pea combs. Pretty sure they are EE