Australorps breed Thread

[Deej211]

black hen behind the splash cockrel

 

[Dianne88]

I went out to here farm on Sat and didn't see any game birds. I think the 10 wk old is just in her award teenage phase. She has the greenish purple sheen when the sun hits her feathers

it's hard to get a good pic

 

[silkiecuddles]

How great a layer are Austrolorps? I'm thinking about either Black Sex-links or Black Austrolorps.

 

[MrsBrooke]

They'll lay about an egg a day, either way. But the BAs have half a chance of skipping the issues sometimes associated with hybrid layers.

MrsB

 

[ronott1]

How great a layer are Austrolorps? I'm thinking about either Black Sex-links or Black Austrolorps.

They'll lay about an egg a day, either way. But the BAs have half a chance of skipping the issues sometimes associated with hybrid layers.

MrsB

What Mrs. B said!

 

[silkiecuddles]

Ok thanks, Mrs.brooke

 

[Gramma Chick]

They'll lay about an egg a day, either way. But the BAs have half a chance of skipping the issues sometimes associated with hybrid layers.

MrsB

What are the Issues ?

 

[hellbender]

What are the Issues ?

There are a few health issues associated with the commercially produced hybrids but the one that seems most prevalent is the propensity to becoming egg-bound. Some seem to be very lacking in vitality or disease resistance and many that I've seen are just plain stupid...at least in relation to predators.

Much of this is from my personal observation of neighbors' birds and is certainly not scientific.

 

[MrsBrooke]

What are the Issues ?

CONS:

• Short life span
• Short life of egg laying
• Limited breed use
• Susceptible to predators due to friendly nature
• Function specific (meat or egg only)
• Not usually good mothers (less likely to be broody)**
• Health issues due to fast growth and high egg output

http://www.adelaidechickensittingservice.com/blog/hybrid-vs-pure-breed-chickens

These are your typical "feed-store" chickens. Even the BAs sold there (and through hatcheries) aren't TRUE Australorps (they have leghorn and various other breeds mixed in to up the egg-laying ante), and they are often sold as BAs when they are actually BSLs... usually an honest mistake made by the feed store.

They'll definitely pump out eggs for you, but at what cost?

Metaphorically, it's much like the overbreeding of German Shepherds, which has caused them to be haunted by hip dysplasia and other health issues.

While pure-bred birds can be more expensive and difficult to find, it IS possible, totally worth it, and I feel your birds will be happier and healthier in the long run.

MrsB

 

[hellbender]

It's my understanding that White Leghorn is one of the first breeds that was added to the recipe in Australia, just to bring up laying power.

We are told of the two or three breeds that were used to create the Australorp but I doubt the 'TRUE' and complete story will ever be known.

RON