Australorps breed Thread

[WVDan44]

I have one or two that lay narrow lightly tinted "pinkish" eggs that sometimes are rather small as well. I don't assume there's any problems associated with it but then again, I don't really know. JMHO

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Stan,
It looks like I have at least 2 cockerels out of the original 5. The 2 are starting to show little slivers of a wattle and the other three are not.
It is still early to tell at 3 weeks and I will post pics at the 4 week stage. Since I started with hatch and 2 week pics I will try to do it every two weeks for a record of development. Friday will be 4 weeks.
Kurt

 

[BlazeJester]

I am looking for australorp chicks to pick up in the southeast. I do not have resources to hatch at this time. I am looking for 25 chicks or so and am willing to work with smaller batches of chicks throughout the summer. I'm located in Clemson SC.

My goals are apparently uncommon. I am working with an organic rancher to start a poultry operation - this is a business and we are ultimately aiming for a net financial gain. I understand that we are going to have to put money out there at the outset, make mistakes and learn some lessons. Here is what we need:

• Good pasture/foraging tendency
• True dual purpose - males fill out well and females lay well
• Males at suitable table weight by 6 months
• Females good to very good layers
• Slight tendency toward broodiness/some hens will set
• "barnyard smarts" - these will be pastured birds.

I believe Australorps may be a suitable breed. I have also considered barred rocks, delawares and wyandottes. Any recommendations or leads would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KnobbyOaks]

I have a question: At what age do these pullets that turn out to be cockerels start to develop those feathers that have points on them, saddle feathers, two long tail feathers, etc? Is it after they crow or a goodly amount of time before they crow?

 

[groche]

I am looking for australorp chicks to pick up in the southeast. I do not have resources to hatch at this time. I am looking for 25 chicks or so and am willing to work with smaller batches of chicks throughout the summer. I'm located in Clemson SC.

My goals are apparently uncommon. I am working with an organic rancher to start a poultry operation - this is a business and we are ultimately aiming for a net financial gain. I understand that we are going to have to put money out there at the outset, make mistakes and learn some lessons. Here is what we need:

• Good pasture/foraging tendency
• True dual purpose - males fill out well and females lay well
• Males at suitable table weight by 6 months
• Females good to very good layers
• Slight tendency toward broodiness/some hens will set
• "barnyard smarts" - these will be pastured birds.

I believe Australorps may be a suitable breed. I have also considered barred rocks, delawares and wyandottes. Any recommendations or leads would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Meg,
I suggest visiting the site referred to in post 2166 on this thread.
Cheers Geoff from Aus

 

[groche]

Wonderful photo. I am getting the same amounts from my 9 layers of which two are BA's. One of the BA's is much slower developing than her breed partner who is all ready laying. Her egg is the lightest of all my brown egg layers, and I too love the hue of brown it is. It's almost like a shade of very light pink. Only thing is, she lays a very narrow egg. Today's egg from her was very large, and as I suspected, it was a double yoker. I took a picture of it, and will post it when I get it off of my phone. Question is, with these narrow eggs she lays, can that be a sign of some sort of problem inside? Her anatomy being a bit narrow, and could she be prone to egg laying issues? Getting egg bound? I thought the shape would get more conventional as she got a bit more into laying, but so far, with the six weeks she has been laying, no change. Thanks for any insights,

MB

Hi MB,
I wouldn't be too concerned about your egg shapes. The first eggs laid are often a bit odd and it's when you get most double yokers. They'll settle down, though some hens will always layer pointier eggs. No problem. They often start laying before fully grown so the eggs will usually get bigger too.
Cheers Geoff

 

[groche]

Excellent info Geoff..I read in my ray connor fan club book..about when they inducted Australorp into the standard..queensland held out thier vote until it was written into the standard that it was a requirement to have the tighter feather..How do we get a bit more depth of body ?

Hi Aveca,
lack of body depth is not an issue I've come across here. I surmise that the problem there may be the result of a bit of 'value added' by some of your early commercial breeders. I reckon there's a bit of evidence here -

Note that lack of body depth is not an issue with Cook's Orp., nor in any of its Aussie decendants. It's not an issue with the American hen, bottom right, but it is with the terrible boy! Looks like Leghorn added to me. No depth and doesn't even stand like a BA! That girl'd have her work cut out to produce even Utility BA's from him. I've mentioned that BA's were eventually superceded here as commercial layers here by BA X Leghorns, so it was a common practice and why so many of our feedstore 'BA's' are really only black layers. Another reason why Ron's latest discovery is so interesting.

My understanding is that conformation is more female influenced, so I'd be looking for deep bodied girls first. Those of you who have Orp.-added birds shouldn't have problems as long as you breed enough birds to selectively cull narrow birds from your breeding pens.Hope this helps a little.
Cheers Geoff

 

[lildinkem]

Pic of the son who I am using this season back to his mom and his sis. The only Exhibition line Aussies I have are some Akers cull hens I bought 2 years ago for $10 each.
I noticed here in the area I am showing. The judges have not been encouraged to promote the over size standard Australorp entries. Many in other show areas are awarding a more fluffier Orp size Australorps with wins. Here Aussies like the ones Doug shows are not just winning English Class but winning the show. So, I am breeding toward that.
This is the son. He is 1/2 Akers line. His dad was not an Exhibition Aussie. He was a mix of Buff Orp and hatchery mutt mix Aussie/Ameraucana. Offspring from him back to his mom should get my that much closer to what the want at the APA sanctioned Shows I attend. Looking for to seeing what comes out. The pullet is his sister. As you can see she is a tightly feather wide bodied girl. That should be an interesting combo.

 

[groche]

Pic of the son who I am using this season back to his mom and his sis. The only Exhibition line Aussies I have are some Akers cull hens I bought 2 years ago for $10 each.
I noticed here in the area I am showing. The judges have not been encouraged to promote the over size standard Australorp entries. Many in other show areas are awarding a more fluffier Orp size Australorps with wins. Here Aussies like the ones Doug shows are not just winning English Class but winning the show. So, I am breeding toward that.
This is the son. He is 1/2 Akers line. His dad was not an Exhibition Aussie. He was a mix of Buff Orp and hatchery mutt mix Aussie/Ameraucana. Offspring from him back to his mom should get my that much closer to what the want at the APA sanctioned Shows I attend. Looking for to seeing what comes out. The pullet is his sister. As you can see she is a tightly feather wide bodied girl. That should be an interesting combo.

Hi Bill,
continue to be amazed by how BA this boy is from his decidedly 'mongrel' background! Fair dinkum, from the pics I've seen, he'd be hard to pick out from my bigger boys. On the down side, he's also wearing the 'fluffy pants' that seem to be in fashion in my flock too. I want those thigh feathers laying back rather than hanging down or sticking out. The boy's helped by striking a nice pose. No body depth issues here! The girl's done the opposite and hunched herself up so she looks really, really wide. Nice feathering in the front and top. Need a better pic, mate. Sounds like your Doug Akers is on the right track. Our Aker's bro's just followed up their Grand Champ. award in our Nationals, with a 2nd in our State titles.
Cheers Geoff

 

[lildinkem]

Hi Bill,
continue to be amazed by how BA this boy is from his decidedly 'mongrel' background! Fair dinkum, from the pics I've seen, he'd be hard to pick out from my bigger boys. On the down side, he's also wearing the 'fluffy pants' that seem to be in fashion in my flock too. I want those thigh feathers laying back rather than hanging down or sticking out. The boy's helped by striking a nice pose. No body depth issues here! The girl's done the opposite and hunched herself up so she looks really, really wide. Nice feathering in the front and top. Need a better pic, mate. Sounds like your Doug Akers is on the right track. Our Aker's bro's just followed up their Grand Champ. award in our Nationals, with a 2nd in our State titles.
Cheers Geoff

Tomorrow I will take a pic of his mom. She will give you an idea of how far I can go with DeFluffing. Also give you an idea of what Akers has. He said she is decent Aussie type.
Here is the pic I shown here a week ago of the girl. This is the sister to the 9 month old boy. In this pic is when she is warmer.
A week ago.