Australorps breed Thread

[DeesHens]

Quote: Thank you very much for adding this very valuable information. How does one order direct from Duane Urch?

 

[groche]

Hi Redbug,
sorry to hear about your roo problems. This issue has come up before on here. I think Aveca had a nasty one. This is not a breed characteristic here. Our RIR roos have a bit of a bad rep. but not BA's. Of course, breed characteristic doesn't equate to individual trait. Don't like to say it, but temperament can be passed on and I'd try not to breed from him unless he reforms. I probably have 30, 3/4 grown BA cockerals and one roo at the moment. They are friendly and all come close enough to be picked up. Not saying they like it that much! Ditto with my roos of other breeds. I won't have a nasty roo on my property. Well, he would have to be outstanding!
Plantcity, I agree with the comments already made re your roos. Gee, you picked a poor time to post pics. The last BA head we saw on here was special and not many could match up! Not sure about your SOP, but ours is really strong on head points so that's something to work on. I reckon Melbourne has a really good tail, nice and solid with no excessive seperation of the main sickles, as is so often the case.

 

[groche]

Asking for a bit of help here re incubation. I'm relatively new to it as I've previously used broodies. Had a couple of chicks out of over 100 with crooked 'incubator-toes', which apparently is reasonable. However, I seem to have a lot of birds which are 'cow-hocked/knock-kneed' while none of the parents are. Can cowhocks be incubator-caused or is it likely to be a nasty recessive gene. It would have to come from the roo as I put him to girls of 3 different strains. Anyone had similar issues?
Cheers Geoff from Aus

 

[WVDan44]

Interesting and troublesome. I too am about to incubate for the first time and have not heard of this or anticipated such an issue. I will be interested in following this thread to its conclusion. How old are the hatchlings now, and what percentage is affected? What sort of surface are they on now.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Hi Redbug,
sorry to hear about your roo problems. This issue has come up before on here. I think Aveca had a nasty one. This is not a breed characteristic here. Our RIR roos have a bit of a bad rep. but not BA's. Of course, breed characteristic doesn't equate to individual trait. Don't like to say it, but temperament can be passed on and I'd try not to breed from him unless he reforms. I probably have 30, 3/4 grown BA cockerals and one roo at the moment. They are friendly and all come close enough to be picked up. Not saying they like it that much! Ditto with my roos of other breeds. I won't have a nasty roo on my property. Well, he would have to be outstanding!
Plantcity, I agree with the comments already made re your roos. Gee, you picked a poor time to post pics. The last BA head we saw on here was special and not many could match up! Not sure about your SOP, but ours is really strong on head points so that's something to work on. I reckon Melbourne has a really good tail, nice and solid with no excessive seperation of the main sickles, as is so often the case.

Thank you, I really like this thread as I have gotten more supportive comments and help than any other one I frequent. I must agree, we have never kept a bad temper rooster in the past and with my daughter I can not afford to keep one now. She was flogged bad as a toddler by a Buff Cochin and I got rid of the whole bunch of them. She was not affected by the miss-hap and I want to keep it that way. She is very bold and unafraid of the chickens, even my giant Heritage RIR's and I really want to keep it that way. Chickens should be fun, especially for a 4 year old!

I am going to try the shoe theory and if that does not work he might be down the road. I got a pair of "camo" water proof shoe at Christmas and I am wondering if the splashes of white/light grey on them could be getting his attention. I will wear my usual brown mud shoes and see what happens. Fingers crossed he just has issues with camo!

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Asking for a bit of help here re incubation. I'm relatively new to it as I've previously used broodies. Had a couple of chicks out of over 100 with crooked 'incubator-toes', which apparently is reasonable. However, I seem to have a lot of birds which are 'cow-hocked/knock-kneed' while none of the parents are. Can cowhocks be incubator-caused or is it likely to be a nasty recessive gene. It would have to come from the roo as I put him to girls of 3 different strains. Anyone had similar issues?
Cheers Geoff from Aus

I have had some bad feet/toe/leg issues with past hatches that I have not gotten the cell evaporated down--mainly in my Marans. I have started incubating with little or no water until just before hatching. I try to keep the humidity around 40 through the first 18 days. I have not seen any foot problems this season yet with this method. Not sure if this will help but it has helped me. It seem the bigger and healthier the chicks the more likely the foot issue comes into play and issue with them getting out of the shell....

 

[tigercreek]

My Vote is for #1. This is my prefered type, but would like a little more neck and a slightly higher tail to give a better pronounced 'U'. I would like a better profile pick of #2 though, would make the comparison fair........stan

I have 2 roosters to choose from for breeding this year. I would also like your input on whether either of them are good enough to be shown. They are now 9 months old. I have problems with the comb on both of them. Please also let me know what I need to work on in the next generation. I think I would like a little longer back and legs.

Thanks, Cindy

Cockerel 1, Melbourne






Second Cockerel, Outback

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Plantcityhomestead, I like both your boys but the first one looks to have just a little better body than the second. I do not like his small comb but points do not bother me if I have a hen or two with nice points/combs to run him with. Tail carriage usually changes a little in a rooster as they mature--be nice to see him at 12 months.

Well, this morning I wore my old brown muck shoes to feed(instead of my new camo mud shoes) and my Australorp roo left me totally along! Not only that but I reached down and grabbed one of his girls and he didn't even come close or act like he wanted to get me. I turned my back on him several time etc. and nothing. Humm, do I have a fashion critique?

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Ravens first first. Now she is a non stop machine lol I cant wait till my other 2 girls are old enough to produce. This egg is perfect shape, smooth and large

 

[KnobbyOaks]

Plantcityhomestead, I like both your boys but the first one looks to have just a little better body than the second. I do not like his small comb but points do not bother me if I have a hen or two with nice points/combs to run him with. Tail carriage usually changes a little in a rooster as they mature--be nice to see him at 12 months.

Well, this morning I wore my old brown muck shoes to feed(instead of my new camo mud shoes) and my Australorp roo left me totally along! Not only that but I reached down and grabbed one of his girls and he didn't even come close or act like he wanted to get me. I turned my back on him several time etc. and nothing. Humm, do I have a fashion critique?

This is just so interesting to me. This should be documented from your experience and the other poster who brought it up, sorry can't remember the name, and posted for others to know. Who knows, maybe a lot of good roosters were sent to the stew pot because of clothing. Shoes and boots are down on their level too. No telling what they see as a threat.