Australorps breed Thread

[DeesHens]

Quote: Hi RoseMarie1.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience. Sorry to hear you have been under the weather. Be better soon. Oh my gosh, I had to laugh when I pictured your other two Aussies hiding under the bush. ~Dee~

 

[DeesHens]

Quote: Yes, I do agree they seem to mellow out somewhat when they do become layers. Also I think consistency may be key. The more you are able to pet them the more they will become accustom to it to a degree. I have never experienced a chicken that loved to be held or petted like a dog for extended periods of time though. But I have read of folks that have a special chicken like that so I know it is possible. I handled mine frequently from the time I got them as day old chicks hoping they would become more like that. Last night I had to pick them up and put them in the coop because they were dawdling like naughty children and I needed to get going. They were perfectly calm and allowed it. They generally don't show fear around me so it upsets me that I am scaring them with the pitchfork. I don't want to lose any of the the trust they have in me. ~Dee~

 

[Gramma Chick]

Here's a question for ya'll... I recently (yesterday) added a 5 month old Australorpe rooster to a flock of 13 ladies that are 6 months old (6 BR's, 5 RIR's and 2 Black Stars) one of the Black Stars and one of the BR's seem to really be aggressive towards the rooster and fight with him quite a bit. I have had to break them up a couple of times. Is this normal for a hen to act so aggressively towards a rooster and will it stop eventually ?

That is Normal - all new ones will have to get this initiation .
Also the 2 hens that challenged him were the top hens ( at the top of the pecking order ) He will eventually establish that he is at the top as he matures .

 

[Highcotton]

That's why I feel so guilty about rehoming one of my roos. They are always together, even at night. I just hope the roo, Pepper, that I'm keeping will adjust ok. I know he's going to be pretty lonely for awhile until he grows a bit more (he's just turning 5 months) and is accepted my flock. They've been getting a lot better but a couple of the young sex-links still chase them around and they haven't gone up on the roost with them yet.

I have two Australorp roosters and they are best buddies. Where you see one you see both even with the hens.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I am glad somebody is getting eggs because half of mine are molting now which means only half are laying. I cut back to 24 birds now and five are cockerels or cocks depending on their age. I probably will not start breeding till this winter for the spring.
Kurt

You may not be getting a lot of eggs ...but you got that super cool double decker egg
My comets still lay a double yolker once in a while .
thats like a bonus ! always a nice surprise

 

[phoenixguy]

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

That is Normal - all new ones will have to get this initiation .

Also the 2 hens that challenged him were the top hens ( at the top of the pecking order ) He will eventually establish that he is at the top as he matures  .

Thanks GC ... I noticed today that things were much more orderly and they all seemed to get along better. The roo is definitely at the bottom of the pecking order, for now at least, as he is roosting on the very bottom roost in the coop all by his lonesome lol

 

[ronott1]

Thanks GC ... I noticed today that things were much more orderly and they all seemed to get along better. The roo is definitely at the bottom of the pecking order, for now at least, as he is roosting on the very bottom roost in the coop all by his lonesome lol

Watch him work on it though. He will start showing them where the food is and even picking up food and dropping it in front of them. He will also start wing dancing for them. It will take a bit of time but he will get there.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

Watch him work on it though. He will start showing them where the food is and even picking up food and dropping it in front of them. He will also start wing dancing for them. It will take a bit of time but he will get there.

Thanks, ronott ... I'll keep you posted !

 

[chickisoup]

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