Australorps breed Thread

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We finally finished out chicken run sufficiently to allow our birds to spread their wings and let them check it out for the first time yesterday afternoon.






Overall they seem to really like the extra space, but this morning one of my Australorps simply refused to leave the coop, and within minutes had summoned the other Aussies back to keep her company while the rest of the flock ate heartily outside of the coop. *Sigh* My Aussies continue to surprise me by constantly being the most submissive of my birds even though they're the oldest and the largest. I'm giving them some time to adjust. Hopefully they'll grow more comfortable as the day wears on.
 
DesertChic said:
Thanks! They're 10 weeks old today.
Click to expand...

*swoon* They're so cute in that awkward, mini-dinosaur phase. My babies were 11 weeks when I got them in Oct. I can hardly tell them apart from my big mamas now and I just know they're going to start laying ANY day now! You'll be amazed how quickly they mature. :)

I can't remember from posts before... Have you had Aussies before, or is this your first time? I know you mentioned Barred Rocks and such!

MrsB
 
MrsBrooke said:
*swoon* They're so cute in that awkward, mini-dinosaur phase. My babies were 11 weeks when I got them in Oct. I can hardly tell them apart from my big mamas now and I just know they're going to start laying ANY day now! You'll be amazed how quickly they mature. :)

I can't remember from posts before... Have you had Aussies before, or is this your first time? I know you mentioned Barred Rocks and such!

MrsB
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They're part of my very first flock ever. I've got the four Aussies, 3 BRs and 3 Silkies. My only female Silkie has something wrong with her that makes her bob her head like she's head-banging to rock music, so I'm not sure how long she'll live. She's 8 weeks old now and otherwise healthy, and somehow still manages to boss the much larger Aussies around. These birds have been a wonderful learning experience for me.

Oh...and I just ordered nearly two dozen NN Turken hatching eggs to incubate. Too much fun!
 
DesertChic said:
They're part of my very first flock ever. I've got the four Aussies, 3 BRs and 3 Silkies. My only female Silkie has something wrong with her that makes her bob her head like she's head-banging to rock music, so I'm not sure how long she'll live. She's 8 weeks old now and otherwise healthy, and somehow still manages to boss the much larger Aussies around. These birds have been a wonderful learning experience for me.

Oh...and I just ordered nearly two dozen NN Turken hatching eggs to incubate. Too much fun!
Click to expand...

I'm so happy for you!

My first flock ever is made entirely out of Aussies! They're so nice and easy to handle. :) I'm still working on getting them to eat out of my hand (my rooster did the other day!)... But maybe I'll have better luck with the nine babies we're hatching!

No idea about your sweet Silkie mama. I hope whatever it is passes. Sounds like it could be something neurological. So sorry to hear.

Good luck with your Turken eggs! I hear they are sweeties. Keep us posted!!!

MrsB
 
MrsBrooke said:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...haking-badly-what-could-it-be-i-love-my-girls

I have found something that may be of use to you.

:) Take a look and see if this matched anything you are going through. <3

MrsB
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Wow...there are even more illnesses that result in head-shaking than I realized. The shaking isn't constant, and there's no apparent respiratory problems. I had considered ear mites or ear infection, but they're such small birds I can't even get a Q-tip in the ear canal to check. I have a feeling I'l have to wait and see...and if she dies get a necropsy. My first assumption since she's in otherwise good health is that it's something neurological...perhaps too hard a peck to the head when she was younger. I've also been told that neurological problems are nothing new in Silkies because of their cranial structure.

Thank you so much for finding this thread for me. It definitely gave me more things to consider.
hugs.gif
 
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DesertChic said:
We finally finished out chicken run sufficiently to allow our birds to spread their wings and let them check it out for the first time yesterday afternoon. Overall they seem to really like the extra space, but this morning one of my Australorps simply refused to leave the coop, and within minutes had summoned the other Aussies back to keep her company while the rest of the flock ate heartily outside of the coop. *Sigh* My Aussies continue to surprise me by constantly being the most submissive of my birds even though they're the oldest and the largest. I'm giving them some time to adjust. Hopefully they'll grow more comfortable as the day wears on.
Click to expand...
What a good looking set up! I'm a bit surprised by the submissive comments, I suspect as our 10 week old grows she will be very in your face :) She runs at full pelt everywhere (wanted to rename her dash :) When I open in the morning if she isn't at the front she jump over or on the older chooks to get out first. The other day she dived through their legs making them all jump. Was quite funny to watch :)
 

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