Australorps breed Thread

[appps]

Okay, my inexperience with raising chickens is about to become completely evident, but I've got a question for you guys...

Yesterday morning when I let my flock out of the coop as usual, they all ran to the food troughs except one of my Australorps, Evie. She instead made her way to an area just behind the coop, hunkered down, and started making some noises I've never heard any of them make before. Almost instantly the other three Australorp pullets crowded around her and they just stood there quietly while she remained quietly squatted. They stayed that way for several minutes while the other birds in my flock ate, and then Evie quietly rose and made her way over to the feeders along with the others. At first I thought she was just frightened by the sound of the machinery being used to shake the pecan trees behind our house, but why would she squat like that? She's only 3 months old, so way too young to think about laying eggs, right? Is this a normal behavior that just seems new to me? 

The rest of the day she was perfectly "normal" and just as chatty and affectionate as usual. I'm perplexed!

Actually sounds a bit like something freaked her and with what could have been a type of alarm noise called the others in to safety. The fact they all stood around with her while she sat and hid sounds like her being top bird and them following her lead. The hunkering down May have been to simply be more hidden.

 

[getaclue]

Actually sounds a bit like something freaked her and with what could have been a type of alarm noise called the others in to safety. The fact they all stood around with her while she sat and hid sounds like her being top bird and them following her lead. The hunkering down May have been to simply be more hidden.

X2

 

[DesertChic]

If her pupil has jagged edges, that's a sign of Marek's. I *doubt* that's what it is... but I couldn't tell from the picture and want to double check.

Don't Google it. You won't sleep. -_-

MrsB

Before I started with chickens I actually read a book on chicken health, so I'm pretty familiar with Marek's and a variety of other diseases. (What can I say? I'm a total nerd.

) I'm quite confident she doesn't have Marek's...or anything else, really. You're right about her being hatchery stock and obviously cross-bred, but I've seen no indication of ill health and feel pretty confident at this point that this was purely behavioral. Thank you for all of your input and suggestions! I'm constantly learning as I move forward and really do appreciate everything you and the others offer by way of advice, perspective, and insight.

 

[MrsBrooke]

<3

I'm relieved to hear all of the above.

So happy your mama is okay!!! If she's top hen, perhaps she was, indeed, calling the rest to her to hunker down. (Edit: Just like @appps said. In the above post. That I just read. Just now.

Way to go, me.)

A think a chicken séance would be pretty cool, too, though.

"Rise, chicken."

MrsB

 

[DesertChic]

<3

I'm relieved to hear all of the above.

So happy your mama is okay!!! If she's top hen, perhaps she was, indeed, calling the rest to her to hunker down. (Edit: Just like @appps said. In the above post. That I just read. Just now.

Way to go, me.)

A think a chicken séance would be pretty cool, too, though.

"Rise, chicken."

MrsB

Now that's a funny thought! Suddenly I'm remember the childhood game of "light as a feather, stiff as a board". It kinda takes on a new meaning now, LOL!

 

[MrsBrooke]

Now that's a funny thought! Suddenly I'm remember the childhood game of "light as a feather, stiff as a board". It kinda takes on a new meaning now, LOL!

I played that many times with my childhood girl friends. *meeeemoriiiees*

Why did the chicken go to the séance?

To contact the other side.

There's also a joke about a broken egg. It'll crack you up.

MrsB

 

[getaclue]

Does anyone know if a BA has to have a clean face for showing? Combs, and wattles are clean, but there are a few tiny feathers that are slightly forward of the ear covering.

 

[ronott1]

Does anyone know if a BA has to have a clean face for showing? Combs, and wattles are clean, but there are a few tiny feathers that are slightly forward of the ear covering.

I have an old sop and it says that the face is smooth and red as opposed to having wrinkles. It does not say anything about feathers on the face. the comb and wattles are:



And:

 

[MrsBrooke]

Does anyone know if a BA has to have a clean face for showing?  Combs, and wattles are clean, but there are a few tiny feathers that are slightly forward of the ear covering. 

I've heard of people plucking unwanted feathers from between toes and on legs. Curse that Langshan blood!

For the sake of the show, you could always tweeze them. ^_^

MrsB

 

[ronott1]

I've heard of people plucking unwanted feathers from between toes and on legs. Curse that Langshan blood!

For the sake of the show, you could always tweeze them. ^_^

MrsB

Feathers on the feet and legs are DQs.