Australorps breed Thread

[MrsBrooke]

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 -

To answer your question.... You might want to see if you can track down Australorps from Ballard Farms, Jerry Wiley, or Dan Castle

Good luck!

MrsB

 

[getaclue]

Hupp farms is in your state.

 

[draye]

Hi Ron! I got my girls from Cackle last spring, as you know, and my deal was either 3 or 5. I got the 5. Haven't checked yet what they are doing this year. (BTW-my 5 pullets actually turned out to be 4 and cockerel which was kind of funny because "he" turned out to be the one I shared with my neighbor, hehehe). She still has him and my Max, the aussie roo I gave her last summer. Below is a pic or 2 taken yesterday of my Cackle girls that are now 7 1/2 mos. old. I apologize that the pics aren't great. I took them thru my kitchen window. I'll get better ones when my leg has healed up a little more and the last stitches are out. I am very happy with my birds. Not going to win any beauty contests, I know, but they are healthy, laying, and already bigger than my my 3 20 month old sex-links and my older leghorn mutt. They have great, gentle personalities. My only problem is I have one that can launch herself streight into the air, get into and out of just about anything and if there is mischief to get into, she'll find it. She's such a smarty I started calling her Einstein when she was still a small chick!

What are the weights (approximately) on your hens? Any where near the SOP?

 

[hellbender]

Sorry I didn't make that clear. Cackle is my favorite.

On aside though I have used Murray McMurray and have gotten some good ones from them.

In the last few years, MM has been sending out (but making good on) a fairly high percentage of mis-aligned beaks and bad leg and thigh joints. This is difficult to see as small chicks but grow progressively worse very quickly when the defects are manifest. Some folks try to work with the problems but I wouldn't waste my time as my years are rolling right along as well. lol

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
Some problems can be fixed ...some cant ...I think the more chickens you have the less you are attached to them ...easier to cull them

 

[ShockValue]

Hupp farms is in your state.

The only Hupp I'm finding is in IL. Is there one in WA?

 

[getaclue]

Sorry Shock, I was reading MrsB's post, and noticed she was in Texas. Chet Hupp doesn't ship anything out of state anymore, due to the way the post office was handling the eggs, and chicks. You might want to see what poultry shows are in your area, and attend one, even though you don't plan on showing. You can get a firsthand look at the difference(s) between exhibition, and non exhibition birds that way, as well as getting to know breeders in your area, and when they will have available stock for what you are wanting. Besides that, the shows are fun.

 

[hellbender]

Some problems can be fixed ...some cant ...I think the more chickens you have the less you are attached to them ...easier to cull them

Given that, at least in my case, there are a few birds that seem to gravitate to me and quickly become my favorites. Right now, I have three or four NN hens that come running to greet me when I go out to where they are and three Buckeye cockerels that insist they are dogs. I have to pet and stroke them before they will leave me alone and the hens will follow me right back to the house. Keep in mind, I don't carry treats for the birds, other than the morning and evening snacks that are fed in the houses. If I were expected to give out treats every time they saw my face, I couldn't leave the house without being mobbed.

 

[chickisoup]

I always use the phone and if I were you I'd still go ahead and call. If you had ordered 25 and got one cockerel, that would have been understandable but with an order of 5, they owe you. Even if you opt to not get cash right now, you can have it put down as a credit...could come in handy down the road.

Sent them a FB message explaining the situation and that I had tried contacting earlier but probably in the middle of their busy season so I understood, etc. Got a nice email almost right away, how glad they were I was otherwise happy, so sorry for no reply earlier, sorry about the cockerel, BUT maybe I could contact a local breeder for the missing pullet, we can't ship one chick, we don't reimburse after 12 weeks (even tho I had tried before within that time frame) and never for shipping anyway, "Merry Christmas".
Hmmm, well I was planning on maybe getting some stock from a different breeder in the spring anyway.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
I would email that back to them ...that you will buy from someone else this spring ..as you werent satisfied with their customer service

Quote: I get that at snack time ( before Bed ) with 23 chickens ...have to fight my way out back