Australorps breed Thread

[tnmommy]

Ninja rooster update.

We now have our Australorp rooster under better control. He sounds an alarm when my husband approaches and heads toward the back of the run. He generally backs away when I come in, but I was never flogged to begin with, I just got one pecked toe. He's still more cautious of me, at this point, and I give him a "switch" to the top of the neck should he dare crow in my presence. Has only happened once this weekend. But....

My husband moved the nest box and took the top off. The hens began laying on the ground. One of the eggs was broken this morning. My rooster found out what a lovely treat this is. He shared this treat with all of the hens in that run. I'm out of town for work next week. I won't be here to collect eggs early in the morning to help break this behavior. Needless to say, the freaking nest box is going BACK where it was to begin with. I could just shake him. WHY did he move the nest box????

 

[ronott1]

Ninja rooster update.

We now have our Australorp rooster under better control. He sounds an alarm when my husband approaches and heads toward the back of the run. He generally backs away when I come in, but I was never flogged to begin with, I just got one pecked toe. He's still more cautious of me, at this point, and I give him a "switch" to the top of the neck should he dare crow in my presence. Has only happened once this weekend. But....

My husband moved the nest box and took the top off. The hens began laying on the ground. One of the eggs was broken this morning. My rooster found out what a lovely treat this is. He shared this treat with all of the hens in that run. I'm out of town for work next week. I won't be here to collect eggs early in the morning to help break this behavior. Needless to say, the freaking nest box is going BACK where it was to begin with. I could just shake him. WHY did he move the nest box????

You are making great progress!

Do not worry about the broken egg. All of this is normal behavior when an egg breaks. Hens will test an egg by pecking it. If it breaks they will eat it.

The trick is to keep the egg shells hard. Free choice calcium and vitamin supplements with Vitamin D in it will help. Also, make sure there are not parasites or other health issues.

Hens will still lay eggs on the ground and in hidden nests even with very nice nest boxes.

 

[jennfurtrombly]

I have at least 2 australorp ladies! I was told all four were but I haven't seen the black with brown neck color yet. Any suggestions? Anyways, the four big ladies in the middle are supposed to be.

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

I have at least 2 australorp ladies! I was told all four were but I haven't seen the black with brown neck color yet. Any suggestions? Anyways, the four big ladies in the middle are supposed to be.

Austalorps are all black with a pretty green sheen to them. Your girls with brown might be black sex links. Nice girls !

 

[jennfurtrombly]

Austalorps are all black with a pretty green sheen to them. Your girls with brown might be black sex links. Nice girls !

Yep, so I have two Australorps and 2 black sex links! Thanks for educating a newbie! I still love them the same, but my Australorps are GOR-GEOUS. I love the green shiny.

 

[lightchick]

I have a Black Australorp and a Black sex link too! I gotta say though that my Black sex link is VERY sweet.

 

[ronott1]

I have a Black Australorp and a Black sex link too! I gotta say though that my Black sex link is VERY sweet.

A lot of people think the black sex links are the best of them. Other like the cinnamon Queens.

Often the Hens will be nice but the Roos will be mean. Go figure.....

 

[lightchick]

These are my oldest girls. Black sex link, Brown sex link, Australorp and Silkie in the way back.

 

[alebuela]

I have had one of my young chickens peck at my eye and or ear I think it is a curiosity thing when they are on your shoulder .
I just closed my eye & gave it a head butt ...to let it know it was not acceptable

A head butt!

I never thought of that. Good idea, although I hope it won't ever be necessary again, because, like rfreedlund, nothing on my shoulder anymore.

 

[chickisoup]

I have one leghorn and ? mutt that loves to launch "surprise" landings on my shoulder. Oh, and forget EVER doing anything while bending over in her presence. She will park in the middle of my back and not move!!! Most of the time tho, I have to say her manners are a bit better. She normally just tugs on my pant leg when she wants to be picked up and she never pecks at me.