Australorps breed Thread

[vickiw]

Thanks Dee and Ron! I'm thinking I probably have one of each too and that's ok. I don't have a roo and hopefully he will grow into the handsome young man I think he will. Then again, the difference could be just because the little one had such a rough start. Thank you for sharing how your "babies" behaved before they strayed to squat. My sex-links did the chest bumping too but not the whole hackles raising, stare down thing. I was told by the breeder they were both pullets and I was planning to get a young roo from another line but as long as they BOTH don't start crowing I'm good. I'll just add a couple pullets from another line in the spring. I have been able to locate a quality breeder of English Australorp in southern Minnesota which isn't too terribly far away.


Oh, and about laying. With everything the little girl's insides have been thru (she shed a LOT of intestinal lining!) I would be fine if she delays starting to lay to give her a chance to fully recover. They are both growing feathers like crazy! The breeder had put them on All Flock as soon as they were moved from the brooder and mixed with older birds (her Marans I think) which I think probably also contributed to them being behind in development.

Yes, I thought of that too but forgot to mention it in my former reply. With all your little girl has gone through it would be surprising if she was not delayed as far as egg laying. But you never know. Hope all the best for her as it is my nature to always strongly root for the underdog. When I see them thrive in victory over adversity of any kind I get such a huge thrill from it. Imagine you have developed some special feeling for her with all your special care. I am looking forward to following her ongoing development. Keep us posted over time if you can. BTW Have you given her a name?  ~Dee~

I tried to not get too attached to her at first because I really wasn't confident of her survival, but she's made it clear she wants to stay around so even if she never able to lay, she has a home. I tell everyone my flock is strictly "eggs and entertainment" anyway. It was so sweet to watch t way the other one protected her when she wasn't doing as well. She would lay down and rest a lot and the other one would stand over her or if she was in a corner, etc he would lay down tight against her making certain his body had her covered. If I picked her up he would make sure he was right where he could see what was going on and would glare at me the whole time. Even now if she lays down he's right there but I have noticed them actually a few feet apart occasionally the last day or two which never happened before. I was actually concerned for him if she didn't make it. BTW - her name is Lemon Pepper and his is Pot Pie. My other birds are named Dumpling, Nugget, Noodle, Gravy and Soup. The rescued girls I lost over the past summer were named Crockpot, Stirfy and Fricasee (she was my production Aussie I thought was black sex link at first and Noodle' s mom). I know, my daughter shakes her head at my sense of humor

 

[MeanV2]

Your names sound like mine! Some of them have already fulfilled their namesake.

Dan

 

[jdoane]

Thanks Kurt, Dan, and Dee for your input on the gender! So glad to hear! So I guess those are not Saddle feathers I'm seeing!

 

[DeesHens]

Quote: I tried to not get too attached to her at first because I really wasn't confident of her survival, but she's made it clear she wants to stay around so even if she never able to lay, she has a home. I tell everyone my flock is strictly "eggs and entertainment" anyway.

It was so sweet to watch t way the other one protected her when she wasn't doing as well. She would lay down and rest a lot and the other one would stand over her or if she was in a corner, etc he would lay down tight against her making certain his body had her covered. If I picked her up he would make sure he was right where he could see what was going on and would glare at me the whole time. Even now if she lays down he's right there but I have noticed them actually a few feet apart occasionally the last day or two which never happened before. I was actually concerned for him if she didn't make it. BTW - her name is Lemon Pepper and his is Pot Pie. My other birds are named Dumpling, Nugget, Noodle, Gravy and Soup. The rescued girls I lost over the past summer were named Crockpot, Stirfy and Fricasee (she was my production Aussie I thought was black sex link at first and Noodle' s mom). I know, my daughter shakes her head at my sense of humor

For me it is endearing to hear your story about Pot Pie looking over Lemon Pepper. I think Pot Pie must know Lemon Pepper is out of the woods now so does not need to stay so close.

My Peppa always looked out for my more gentle BA, Bella, but if Bella got to big for her britches Peppa would chest bump her back into submission. They reminded me of two cobras at times stretching up with cold stares.

If that did not accomplish it she would strike pecking her neck and Bella always squatted then and it was over. No harm.

It is always so nice to see the kinder side of chickens as they can be brutal. Betsy Barr Rock, my old hen, tore Peppa's ear lobe so when it healed it made a very unique but cute earring looking tiny drop off the lobe. So all is well that ends well. Also looks like the flesh on her eye rim is scarred so is white now instead of black on the outer edge. I saw Betsy peck her and was relieved when her eyeball wasn't damaged. I knew Betsy and Peppa would have it out as they both have very strong wills. For the most part they have a mutual respect it would seem these days. Betsy is molting now so is a lot more reserved anyway.

Hey. I have the same sense of humor so I get it.

In the past I named our pigs Cupcake and Twinkie.

~Dee~

 

[DeesHens]

Thanks Kurt, Dan, and Dee for your input on the gender! So glad to hear! So I guess those are not Saddle feathers I'm seeing!

She looks just like my girls did at that age. Time flies! ~Dee~

 

[RoseMarie1]

Your names sound like mine! Some of them have already fulfilled their namesake.

Dan

I NEED to name mine! Only one I have named so far is Mr. Stud Muffin and as you can tell that's the roos name. ;-) That's what he THINKS he is. lol I have 16 to name.

 

[Historyhobbit]

I hear you all about stand offish Australorps--That's me too! My lorps just get close enough to grab the food. I've gotten them to jump in my lap for treats--but once the treats are gone they are gone too. They do follow me around the yard though and they come when I call--such sweet birds.

I am noticing that my birds don't like to hunker down when they roost--they just stand there on the 2x4 or in once case the bird sleeps in the corner. Is this an Australorp thing?

 

[ronott1]

I hear you all about stand offish Australorps--That's me too! My lorps just get close enough to grab the food. I've gotten them to jump in my lap for treats--but once the treats are gone they are gone too. They do follow me around the yard though and they come when I call--such sweet birds.

I am noticing that my birds don't like to hunker down when they roost--they just stand there on the 2x4 or in once case the bird sleeps in the corner. Is this an Australorp thing?

The nice thing about our BAs is that they are Utility chickens. They are workers and love to forage. Just for kicks, go out with a shovel and did up a weed or two and watch them go to work!

I like the fact that they are not too needy. I have a Blue Marans and a couple of Barred Rocks that get right up to me--I sometimes step on their feet. I have never stepped on a BA...They are not a lot of work either.

 

[informative]

Thanks Kurt, Dan, and Dee for your input on the gender! So glad to hear! So I guess those are not Saddle feathers I'm seeing!

Could any of you explain how you arrived at your decision? I am guessing as I learn that one of the most telling features may be the comb does not come back further on the head? Halfway or less is pullet and 2/3 of the way back or more indicates likely rooster? The other thing is the waddles if they are wide and not hanging down more likely pullet? What else did you see here to decide pullet?

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
For older chickens with pasty butts ...try some yogurt ...it usually means a in-balance in their system or a yeast infection