Australorps breed Thread

[ShockValue]

Hi all. Planning for spring and wanting to boost our flock (and egg production) with some Australorps

When the time comes we plan on hatching our own eggs (would love to buy some from BYC folks), but had questions on "what to look for" concerning the breed.
Our main focus is good egg production and being friendly (we would even keep a roo if he stays nice.. Our Wyandotte got mean on the wife/kids).

However, after getting some hatchery chicks (of different breeds) and being generally displeased with their quality, I would like to avoid doing that again.

Showing them isn't planned, but we would like them to be a decent representation. Are there certain "lines" that are known-good (Like when people advertise "Wade Jean Marans" etc).
Or should I just be asking for pictures of the parents?

Also, is there a noticeable difference in egg production when comparing the more-common black, with other coloring like the BBS varieties?

Thanks for any thoughts -

 

[hellbender]

Hi all. Planning for spring and wanting to boost our flock (and egg production) with some Australorps

When the time comes we plan on hatching our own eggs (would love to buy some from BYC folks), but had questions on "what to look for" concerning the breed.
Our main focus is good egg production and being friendly (we would even keep a roo if he stays nice.. Our Wyandotte got mean on the wife/kids).

However, after getting some hatchery chicks (of different breeds) and being generally displeased with their quality, I would like to avoid doing that again.

Showing them isn't planned, but we would like them to be a decent representation. Are there certain "lines" that are known-good (Like when people advertise "Wade Jean Marans" etc).
Or should I just be asking for pictures of the parents?

Also, is there a noticeable difference in egg production when comparing the more-common black, with other coloring like the BBS varieties?

Thanks for any thoughts -

If the 'breeders' will allow, go for a visit to the birds and look them over.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote: I think he is asking for Australorp Breeders names or Breeders lines .that are known to be good .

 

[hellbender]

Hi all. Planning for spring and wanting to boost our flock (and egg production) with some Australorps

When the time comes we plan on hatching our own eggs (would love to buy some from BYC folks), but had questions on "what to look for" concerning the breed.
Our main focus is good egg production and being friendly (we would even keep a roo if he stays nice.. Our Wyandotte got mean on the wife/kids).

However, after getting some hatchery chicks (of different breeds) and being generally displeased with their quality, I would like to avoid doing that again.

Showing them isn't planned, but we would like them to be a decent representation. Are there certain "lines" that are known-good (Like when people advertise "Wade Jean Marans" etc).
Or should I just be asking for pictures of the parents?

Also, is there a noticeable difference in egg production when comparing the more-common black, with other coloring like the BBS varieties?

Thanks for any thoughts -

Ronott lives in California and I think he has some pretty nice birds. If he has none for sale, he might be able to put him onto a hot track !!

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

Hi all.   Planning for spring and wanting to boost our flock (and egg production) with some Australorps

When the time comes we plan on hatching our own eggs (would love to buy some from BYC folks), but had questions on "what to look for" concerning the breed.
Our main focus is good egg production and being friendly (we would even keep a roo if he stays nice.. Our Wyandotte got mean on the wife/kids).  

However, after getting some hatchery chicks (of different breeds) and being generally displeased with their quality, I would like to avoid doing that again.

Showing them isn't planned, but we would like them to be a decent representation.   Are there certain "lines" that are known-good (Like when people advertise "Wade Jean Marans" etc).   
Or should I just be asking for pictures of the parents?

Also, is there a noticeable difference in egg production when comparing the more-common black, with other coloring like the BBS varieties?

Thanks for any thoughts -

I was wondering which hatchery you may have used in the past and were not pleased. I was going to use a hatchery for some meat chickens.

 

[ShockValue]

My Faverolles came from a large hatchery, but to be honest I'm unsure which one. We got them at a local farm who orders them in bulk.

They're friendly girls and I like them a lot, but their coloring is off, they're smaller than they should be, and their eggs barely make medium size on most days.


So I decided this time around, I want to get my next batch of birds from a known-good-source.

 

[hellbender]

In my opinion, you will get the most value for your money from Cackle Hatchery in Missouri. They do their best to get your orders there on time and will 'fix' ANY problems that might arise. My grand parents bought chicks from them in 1954 and it's still under the same basic management, with grand son Jeff holding the reins now.

In the last two plus years, I've made several orders of Dark Cornish from them and couldn't be happier with the way they have worked out.

I saw some Australorps that were bought from Cackle Hatchery about 2 years ago and they were big healthy birds that were laying machines. They, of course wouldn't be my first choice as a table bird but there is no reason that they couldn't be raised and FINISHED in a way that would make them more than satisfactory.

My younger son bought Australorps from another big hatchery (MM) about three years ago. The birds were kinda' small but......they were excellent layers of fine eggs.

 

[A6chickenhome]

In my opinion, you will get the most value for your money from Cackle Hatchery in Missouri.  They do their best to get your orders there on time and will 'fix' ANY problems that might arise.  My grand parents bought chicks from them in 1954 and it's still under the same basic management, with grand son Jeff holding the reins now.  

In the last two plus years, I've made several orders of Dark Cornish from them and couldn't be happier with the way they have worked out.

I saw some Australorps that were bought from Cackle Hatchery about 2 years ago and they were big healthy birds that were laying machines.  They, of course wouldn't be my first choice as a table bird but there is no reason that they couldn't be raised and [COLOR=0000CD]FINISHED[/COLOR] in a way that would make them more than satisfactory.

My younger son bought Australorps from another big hatchery (MM) about three years ago.  The birds were kinda' small but......they were excellent layers of fine eggs.

Is (MM) Murray McMurray? That's where I purchased my Austrolorp pullets. I chose to get started pullets because I didn't want any roosters at that time. They all have the gentle disposition and lay tons of eggs of varying sizes(I have six hens and gather between 3 and 6 eggs a day). They are still laying just as many now as they did in the summer. I also got a broody hen, which I wanted but maybe not right for everyone. I'm also interested if anyone knows of breeders that focus on maintaining the attributes of the Austrolorp.

 

[draye]

In my opinion, you will get the most value for your money from Cackle Hatchery in Missouri.  They do their best to get your orders there on time and will 'fix' ANY problems that might arise.  My grand parents bought chicks from them in 1954 and it's still under the same basic management, with grand son Jeff holding the reins now.  

In the last two plus years, I've made several orders of Dark Cornish from them and couldn't be happier with the way they have worked out.

I saw some Australorps that were bought from Cackle Hatchery about 2 years ago and they were big healthy birds that were laying machines.  They, of course wouldn't be my first choice as a table bird but there is no reason that they couldn't be raised and [COLOR=0000CD]FINISHED[/COLOR] in a way that would make them more than satisfactory.

My younger son bought Australorps from another big hatchery (MM) about three years ago.  The birds were kinda' small but......they were excellent layers of fine eggs.

This is my favorite place to order hatchery chicks from. The one problem that I have with them though they sell so many as straight run only. I don't really like ordering SR as I want so many hens and a few roosters.

 

[A6chickenhome]

This is my favorite place to order hatchery chicks from. The one problem that I have with them though they sell so many as straight run only. I don't really like ordering SR as I want so many hens and a few roosters.

Which is you're favorite, Cackle or Murray McMurray?