Australorps breed Thread

[QueenBubbles]

The pink, (not yellow) on the bottom of feet and leg are correct for a BA when young. The beak may be all black preferred or black and horn color, but not yellow. I hope that clears that up. Yes the nubs in the last pics may be spurs, but I also had a hen with spurs years ago.
Kurt

That is the color - horn! I think the beak is getting more black every day. Yes, that was very helpful. And I won't worry too much about the spur nubs for now. Thanks!

 

[getaclue]

I had begun to introduce the two groups of youngsters on my patio (two different age groups). All went pretty good, except for the cockerels. The cockerels will NOT be combined into one group. I took the oldest ones to the grow out pen in the coop. They are adjusting well. The younger group is still on my patio, and I moved them into the bigger cage. Yesterday, when I went to let them out to have some patio time, the cockerel would not let the pullets come out of the cage. I sat in a chair, and watched. He was enjoying roaming the patio, looking for treats (mealworms), but every time the pullets would try to venture out, he would chase them back in. I got a handful of mealworms, and called the gals to come get them. The little cockerel came charging at me from the other side of the patio, jumping like he jumps on the girls, hackles. When I first saw it, I though something had spooked him. When I realized he was mad at me for calling the girls out, and coming after me, I stood up grabbed him, and picked him up. I held him for a bit, put him down, and made him submit, then let him go. By now, the pullets are out on the patio too. He kept herding them away from me into a corner, and standing between me, and them. I went to pick him up, to put him back in the cage, so the gals could enjoy patio time, when he turned around, squawked at me, and tried to peck me. I made him submit, and picked him up. When he wanted down, I kept holding him. When I was ready, I put him down, and made him submit again. No more problems. The little stinker!

 

[Turk Raphael]

I had begun to introduce the two groups of youngsters on my patio (two different age groups). All went pretty good, except for the cockerels. The cockerels will NOT be combined into one group. I took the oldest ones to the grow out pen in the coop. They are adjusting well. The younger group is still on my patio, and I moved them into the bigger cage. Yesterday, when I went to let them out to have some patio time, the cockerel would not let the pullets come out of the cage. I sat in a chair, and watched. He was enjoying roaming the patio, looking for treats (mealworms), but every time the pullets would try to venture out, he would chase them back in. I got a handful of mealworms, and called the gals to come get them. The little cockerel came charging at me from the other side of the patio, jumping like he jumps on the girls, hackles. When I first saw it, I though something had spooked him. When I realized he was mad at me for calling the girls out, and coming after me, I stood up grabbed him, and picked him up. I held him for a bit, put him down, and made him submit, then let him go. By now, the pullets are out on the patio too. He kept herding them away from me into a corner, and standing between me, and them. I went to pick him up, to put him back in the cage, so the gals could enjoy patio time, when he turned around, squawked at me, and tried to peck me. I made him submit, and picked him up. When he wanted down, I kept holding him. When I was ready, I put him down, and made him submit again. No more problems. The little stinker!

Sounds like a smart bird. I'd hold onto him, especially if you will be free-ranging them. He should 'getaclue' eventually and be a great flock boss. Some of the rough edges will wear off with maturity...some may have to be kicked off with your foot!

 

[lightchick]

Can you guys post pics of your Australorps at 7 weeks? I'd like pics of a 7 week old roos and 7 week old pullets. Thanks!

 

[getaclue]

Quote:
Sounds like a smart bird. I'd hold onto him, especially if you will be free-ranging them. He should 'getaclue' eventually and be a great flock boss. Some of the rough edges will wear off with maturity...some may have to be kicked off with your foot!

Turk, funny thing you mentioned that. While I can't free-range, I have an open coop, with good welded wire. I had commented to my daughter that I missed my mean rooster somewhat. I've come up to the coop to find wild birds drinking from the water buckets, and squirrels in the coop eating feed. No other animal, whether feathered or furry was allowed in the mean rooster's coop. I like having a gentle rooster, but he's not nearly as protective of the coop as my mean rooster was. Is that the trade off? If they're gentle with people, they aren't as protective?

 

[ronott1]

Turk, funny thing you mentioned that. While I can't free-range, I have an open coop, with good welded wire. I had commented to my daughter that I missed my mean rooster somewhat. I've come up to the coop to find wild birds drinking from the water buckets, and squirrels in the coop eating feed. No other animal, whether feathered or furry was allowed in the mean rooster's coop. I like having a gentle rooster, but he's not nearly as protective of the coop as my mean rooster was. Is that the trade off? If they're gentle with people, they aren't as protective?

That really depends.

SG Dorkings are known to be gentle with people but very protective and sometimes aggressive with intruders.

It is a good Rooster that is like this.

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Lightchick,
Go to my profile page and check the pics under Australorp breed thread. I took a lot of pics every two weeks up to about twenty weeks old. At 7 weeks old cockerels will have combs and wattles and the pullets barely nothing!
Kurt

 

[Turk Raphael]

Turk, funny thing you mentioned that. While I can't free-range, I have an open coop, with good welded wire. I had commented to my daughter that I missed my mean rooster somewhat. I've come up to the coop to find wild birds drinking from the water buckets, and squirrels in the coop eating feed. No other animal, whether feathered or furry was allowed in the mean rooster's coop. I like having a gentle rooster, but he's not nearly as protective of the coop as my mean rooster was. Is that the trade off? If they're gentle with people, they aren't as protective?

I think a more rowdy bird is better in many ways. Not to start an argument because I won't post about it again but the cocks that are more 'hostile' seem to be the better protectors and more virile in the breeding pen. The birds with less testosterone are more apt to be lazy breeders and not-so protective of the girls.

Now you all can commence to argue the points amongst yourselves.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I think a more rowdy bird is better in many ways. Not to start an argument because I won't post about it again but the cocks that are more 'hostile' seem to be the better protectors and more virile in the breeding pen. The birds with less testosterone are more apt to be lazy breeders and not-so protective of the girls.

I agree a Mean Rowdy Roo is more apt to protect . A non Rowdy Rooster will warn & take the flock away .
Ive never seen my Aussie Roo defend or attack a predator . he does watch & warn . My mean Sumatra took on a hawk while my Aussie Roo was hiding under the deck with the flock

 

[CaptnGreever]

someone suggested that this mystery chick of mine (Lady Kluck) could be an australorp! thoughts?!

age is unknown (guessing about 5 weeks now??? i'm new to this haha) and mayhaps a pullet?


this was 6/10/14


this was today 6/18/14