Australorps breed Thread

[waynec1955]

I am so glad this thread has switched back to talking about birds!! I feel more welcome now that everyone is done with who is and who is not welcome...
Focusing on birds keeps everyone, especially me, feeling welcome!
Those are some beautiful birds, Maat... and that top bird from morgan999 looks a bit roo-ey to me, too.
From what I understand BAs can surprise you when it comes to gender! I had a very rooish looking bird at 4 weeks. Now they're 8 weeks and although that bird still has more red in it's comb, he/she is looking more like the other two now. Fingers crossed it's not a roo!

Just wondering.... Im super friendly to my chicks. They get organic feed and fresh water everyday, as well as pulled weeds from my garden and pulp from my juicer. BUT THEY ARE DEATHLY AFRAID OF ME!! I keep reading about how friendly BAs are... and I'm hoping it's just an age thing, bc mine still have not warmed up to me

and, when I let them free range they go immediately to hide in the bushes. Every. Single. Time.

They will come around with time. My grown birds were never held much, but they know who feds them. Thy stay close to me when they free range and I'm in the yard. My juveniles, which were held more run o me to pick them up. hey were skittish when younger.

 

[ronott1]

I am so glad this thread has switched back to talking about birds!! I feel more welcome now that everyone is done with who is and who is not welcome...
Focusing on birds keeps everyone, especially me, feeling welcome!
Those are some beautiful birds, Maat... and that top bird from morgan999 looks a bit roo-ey to me, too.
From what I understand BAs can surprise you when it comes to gender! I had a very rooish looking bird at 4 weeks. Now they're 8 weeks and although that bird still has more red in it's comb, he/she is looking more like the other two now. Fingers crossed it's not a roo!

Just wondering.... Im super friendly to my chicks. They get organic feed and fresh water everyday, as well as pulled weeds from my garden and pulp from my juicer. BUT THEY ARE DEATHLY AFRAID OF ME!! I keep reading about how friendly BAs are... and I'm hoping it's just an age thing, bc mine still have not warmed up to me

and, when I let them free range they go immediately to hide in the bushes. Every. Single. Time.

Australorps are better described as not flighty. They can be very standoffish which is a good thing for many. They are independent and intelligent for a chicken.

The best way to make them friendly is to hand feed them treats like meal worms. They will come to get the treats since they are very food oriented.

 

[Happy Feathers]

No pics or quotes from me, but I'm happy to feel welcome here! I've had chickens on and off since long before computers existed. However, this is the first time I've been able to carefully research and choose the breed. The Black Australorp fits all my wants and needs. I got really lucky, I thought the only way I was going to get my birds was mail order...but a family member works at a good feed store not far away and had Australorps for sale. My big concern was potential shipping loss. I wound up getting 12 pullets, already 5 weeks old for the grand total of $32.00 US!

I worried a bit about lack of human interaction and having skittish chickens...Not at all! They all eagerly come to eat out of my hand and several even like the occasional skritch or stroke. All 12 are happy and very healthy, and one just may turn out to be a rooster. The comb and wattles are noticeably different than the others. Just have to wait and see.

Happy Feathers

 

[iwiw60]

X3 .. what ronott1 and waynec1955 said...my BA chickies are now almost 6 weeks old, and at first they just scrambled away screaming and screeching...I have been hand feeding them mealworms..at first they wouldn't have anything to do with "the hand" that was coming at them. Now? Now they almost beat each other up to get to the hand!!

Just give them time...be persistent, and they'll come around!!

 

[ronott1]

No pics or quotes from me, but I'm happy to feel welcome here! I've had chickens on and off since long before computers existed. However, this is the first time I've been able to carefully research and choose the breed. The Black Australorp fits all my wants and needs. I got really lucky, I thought the only way I was going to get my birds was mail order...but a family member works at a good feed store not far away and had Australorps for sale. My big concern was potential shipping loss. I wound up getting 12 pullets, already 5 weeks old for the grand total of $32.00 US!

I worried a bit about lack of human interaction and having skittish chickens...Not at all! They all eagerly come to eat out of my hand and several even like the occasional skritch or stroke. All 12 are happy and very healthy, and one just may turn out to be a rooster. The comb and wattles are noticeably different than the others. Just have to wait and see.

Happy Feathers

Congratulations!

You will really like them. Let us know how they compare to the other breeds you have had before.

 

[tnmommy]

I am so glad this thread has switched back to talking about birds!! I feel more welcome now that everyone is done with who is and who is not welcome...
Focusing on birds keeps everyone, especially me, feeling welcome!
Those are some beautiful birds, Maat... and that top bird from morgan999 looks a bit roo-ey to me, too.
From what I understand BAs can surprise you when it comes to gender! I had a very rooish looking bird at 4 weeks. Now they're 8 weeks and although that bird still has more red in it's comb, he/she is looking more like the other two now. Fingers crossed it's not a roo!

Just wondering.... Im super friendly to my chicks. They get organic feed and fresh water everyday, as well as pulled weeds from my garden and pulp from my juicer. BUT THEY ARE DEATHLY AFRAID OF ME!! I keep reading about how friendly BAs are... and I'm hoping it's just an age thing, bc mine still have not warmed up to me and, when I let them free range they go immediately to hide in the bushes. Every. Single. Time.

I have one Aussie that likes to be near me, but none are really affectionate. They can be handled. My new Orpingtons are really friendly and love to be petted on the chest. One likes to perch on me and my son.


My chickens dislike being picked up. Are you petting them on the chest or their back? Make sure they can see what you are doing.

 

[birdlady79]

I am so glad this thread has switched back to talking about birds!! I feel more welcome now that everyone is done with who is and who is not welcome...
Focusing on birds keeps everyone, especially me, feeling welcome!
Those are some beautiful birds, Maat... and that top bird from morgan999 looks a bit roo-ey to me, too.
From what I understand BAs can surprise you when it comes to gender! I had a very rooish looking bird at 4 weeks. Now they're 8 weeks and although that bird still has more red in it's comb, he/she is looking more like the other two now. Fingers crossed it's not a roo!

Just wondering.... Im super friendly to my chicks. They get organic feed and fresh water everyday, as well as pulled weeds from my garden and pulp from my juicer. BUT THEY ARE DEATHLY AFRAID OF ME!! I keep reading about how friendly BAs are... and I'm hoping it's just an age thing, bc mine still have not warmed up to me and, when I let them free range they go immediately to hide in the bushes. Every. Single. Time.

My 2 BA are around 8 weeks and hate being handled..... They will eat out if mind hand sometimes....usually the bigger three get in way.... When I do catch them, they SCREAM!! But after sitting in my lap they calm down ... They are somewhat skittish... But will follow me around... I'm working with them everyday.l and they are coming around slowly... My 5 chickens outside all hate being picked up... I wish they would duck down like other peoples so I could pick them up easier.... My 2 in garage love following me around, sitting on my shoulder, being carried around... I obviously spent more time with them...... It just takes time and partience and treats... Lots of treats!! Lol... Good luck with your Aussies

 

[ronott1]

My 2 BA are around 8 weeks and hate being handled..... They will eat out if mind hand sometimes....usually the bigger three get in way.... When I do catch them, they SCREAM!! But after sitting in my lap they calm down ... They are somewhat skittish... But will follow me around... I'm working with them everyday.l and they are coming around slowly... My 5 chickens outside all hate being picked up... I wish they would duck down like other peoples so I could pick them up easier.... My 2 in garage love following me around, sitting on my shoulder, being carried around... I obviously spent more time with them...... It just takes time and partience and treats... Lots of treats!! Lol... Good luck with your Aussies

They will "duck down" for you when they are ready to lay eggs. On BYC we call it the Egg Squat. It is the position the hens take when mating.

If you do not have a Rooster they will usually do it for you.

 

[Saerasx]

I have been giving my chicks, including two BA dried mealworms out of my hand- and needless to say they will swarm me! We are brooding them in our guest bathroom's step in tub, it has sliding glass doors so its all secure. Today I was in there and its usually just my EE that will fly into my hand to get "outside time" and her own personal mealie feast but today one of my BA's flew up and perched on the side of the tub and then let me get her and take her down for her feast and love. We handle them everyday but it does sure seem that the BA's and my marans are pretty flighty. Sweet, but flighty. They do know me so Im hoping the continued handling will pay off in the end. They are all between 2.5 and 3 weeks. I swear one BA is further along as she is getting two "bikini lines" of feathers down her breast first.

 

[TINCHER]

Thanks! Everyone has been so helpful