Australorps breed Thread

[appps]

Hmmm think I would have even less luck with that shipping method............(it's a pizza recipe lol)

 

[hellbender]

Now THAT is really interesting! I just looked up this breed for images, and while there are obvious differences in appearance, there are A LOT of similarities.

This guy was supposed to be a Silver Grey Dorking and his egg was the only one that survived shipping from the breeder. Ha, ha....jokes on me! He may have some Dorking blood in him because he has the five toes, but I'd originally been thinking he was mixed with Polish or Houdan...something like that...to give him his flamboyance. But that Buttercup comb has always beena mystery. You may have just helped me solve the great mystery! Thanks!

LOL! The photo is deceptive. He's actually VERY sweet, wonderfully alert, and most definitely the dominant cockerel of his current flock. He's mixed in with a mixture of smooth and frizzled Easter Eggers, some Silkie mixes, and some Barred Rock and Australorp mixes. Even my much larger BR cockerel submits to this guy, and when I take him out to the mini-run, where he gets to meet my free-ranging older birds, he doesn't bat an eye. He's interacted with much older and larger birds and doesn't see any of them as being intimidating. I actually rather admire his self-confidence.

Apparently he's a keeper? I think I'd keep him, cross with NNs and DCs...just to see what jumped out...might be interesting. About how old/big is he??

 

[ronott1]

Hmmm think I would have even less luck with that shipping method............(it's a pizza recipe lol)

OOPS!

Weird---I fixed the attachment so it is correct now.

Make the pizza and then pack some eggs!

 

[DesertChic]

Apparently he's a keeper? I think I'd keep him, cross with NNs and DCs...just to see what jumped out...might be interesting. About how old/big is he??

I'd like to keep him and breed him at least once...probably to my NNs. He'll be 16 weeks this weekend and is due to be weighed. At 10 weeks he was 2.80 lbs and has grown a lot since then so I'm hoping for at least 4 pounds. He's a little smaller than my Barred Rock cockerel of the same age, but heavier and better muscled. And he's the dominant cockerel in the flock, but friendlier to me than most of the other boys. I want to keep him just because he's so unique. I'm a sucker for a "true individual".

 

[hellbender]

If you have room, time and patience, I'd think about keeping him. Sometime, such 'odd-men-out' produce some extraordinary hybrids. Might kick-start a laying program or there could be some genetic code that produces offspring that is far meatier and better than either parent.

These things do happen. He deserves a 'test breeding' over a couple hens...?????

 

[DesertChic]

If you have room, time and patience, I'd think about keeping him. Sometime, such 'odd-men-out' produce some extraordinary hybrids. Might kick-start a laying program or there could be some genetic code that produces offspring that is far meatier and better than either parent.

These things do happen. He deserves a 'test breeding' over a couple hens...?????

That's the plan! I just finished building two 6' x 12' runs on the outside of my divided cabin/barn, plus bought a pre-made large coop just so I have room to house everyone as needed. With two indoor pens and one outdoor run completely empty now, I finally feel like I may actually be ahead of the game for the first time since I started with chickens. It's nice to be able to breathe a bit....even though I'm still working on construction projects every single day. I've still got ladders, roosts, nesting boxes and roofing to complete.

 

[hellbender]

That's the plan! I just finished building two 6' x 12' runs on the outside of my divided cabin/barn, plus bought a pre-made large coop just so I have room to house everyone as needed. With two indoor pens and one outdoor run completely empty now, I finally feel like I may actually be ahead of the game for the first time since I started with chickens. It's nice to be able to breathe a bit....even though I'm still working on construction projects every single day. I've still got ladders, roosts, nesting boxes and roofing to complete.

Everything takes time and effort. I'm lucky to have very competent help, otherwise, I'd have to do everything by myself. I know I would have far fewer projects if that were the case...If I remember correctly, you don't get too much assistance from the men in your household???

 

[DesertChic]

Everything takes time and effort. I'm lucky to have very competent help, otherwise, I'd have to do everything by myself. I know I would have far fewer projects if that were the case...If I remember correctly, you don't get too much assistance from the men in your household???

My husband is wonderful about helping out when he can, but he works a lot of hours at our business. And unfortunately my son...well...it's probably better for both of us to limit how much he "helps". He's a good kid, and very smart, but lacks common sense and I lack patience. Not a good combination. So, yes....I do most of this stuff by myself. It's a good thing I enjoy DIY so much.

 

[DesertChic]

Apparently he's a keeper? I think I'd keep him, cross with NNs and DCs...just to see what jumped out...might be interesting. About how old/big is he??

Okay...I just weighed this guy. He's 16 weeks old today and weighed in at 3.8 lbs. Not great, but not too bad. I still like his overall demeanor, shape and looks, so I'm going to hold on to him a bit longer. The other cockerels in the flock that have taken to biting me whenever I reach for them...yeah, they're about to be invited to dinner.

 

[dynomy]

Hi all - have a stupid question. I have three pretty ladies - since May 14th. They are getting acclimated with the 6 other birds (two giants, 2 polish, an Easter egger and a bantam Cornish - I think) and at least 2 are laying eggs. The problem is these eggs are as big a golf balls. Seriously. These young ones are as big as the Polish - actually a little bigger. Is there something wrong? We thought that they lay large brown eggs.