Australorps breed Thread

[ronott1]

I could not find Black Australorps in southern Virginia, so I placed an order for 10 pullets (day old) from MT.Healthy Hatcheries in Ohio, they were shipped on the 15th and arrived on the 16th in what appears to be very good, healthy condition. My order was for the minimum of 10 but I received 11, they have a minimum vaccine /service fee of $5 so I assumed they tossed in the extra chick for the extra $3.50 the vaccine service cost on 10 chicks. I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with this hatchery.
The chicks are now 4 days old and every one of them appear to be in the best of health, I am in no way associated or affiliated with this hatchery, my experience with them was fantastic.

 

[mlmoore]

Thank you very much

 

[Gremores]

What is the average age for an Australorp to start laying? I have some that are 22.5 weeks and still aren't laying

 

[ronott1]

What is the average age for an Australorp to start laying? I have some that are 22.5 weeks and still aren't laying

You are at the average for all breeds. If they are from a hatchery, They should start within the next several weeks.

This is what happens:

1. comb and wattles get big and read--about a month until the first egg
2. They start squatting, like they do for a rooster-- two to one week before the first egg.
3. They start tearing up the nest box--a week to a couple of days.
4. They start singing the egg song, look it up on you tube if you do not know what it sounds like--any day now!

They will also get a bit agitated when they are about to lay eggs. They often seem less friendly but quickly become friendly after they lay the first egg.

 

[Gremores]

You are at the average for all breeds. If they are from a hatchery, They should start within the next several weeks.

This is what happens:

1. comb and wattles get big and read--about a month until the first egg
2. They start squatting, like they do for a rooster-- two to one week before the first egg.
3. They start tearing up the nest box--a week to a couple of days.
4. They start singing the egg song, look it up on you tube if you do not know what it sounds like--any day now!

They will also get a bit agitated when they are about to lay eggs. They often seem less friendly but quickly become friendly after they lay the first egg.

Thank you,

From the sounds of it, they are a week to a couple of days for some and others willbe aby day now.

I have some that are very curious about the nexting boxes/floor and have been making the nest. A few others are seeing that our Easter Egger laid and are starting to "chatter" and be very vocal.
and of course they seem moodier than normal.

Thank you again, cant wait for those eggs!!!

 

[huppfarm]

Hey there Ron, curious how your birds turned out?
[email protected]
Thanks
Chet

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Chet,
I have the same question for you. How did you make out with the RSR BBS's?
Kurt

 

[ronott1]

Hey there Ron, curious how your birds turned out?
[email protected]
Thanks
Chet

I had 4 hens--one died of fungus, verified by necropsy at UCD. The roosters went to a farm in Winter. The guy I am working with did not want to work with them sadly. He is working with Bresse instead.

 

[Violetsfeathers]

What is the average age for an Australorp to start laying? I have some that are 22.5 weeks and still aren't laying

When were your birds hatched? Before or after March 9? Wondering if my australorp should start soon.

 

[jessr779]

I heard all kinds of commotion, squatting like crazy, etc for a week before an egg. One thing I noticed was that she sat in the neSt box a little but didn't really kick the shavings around and make a nest. Once day there was a chicken butt-sized divot in the shavings and an egg came the next morning. Keep an eye out for a little nest in there and I'll bet you get an egg shortly after! And by all means, post a pic!

She's been keeping me in suspense for the past two weeks but she finally layed her first egg! She is 19 1/2 weeks old now. Kinda funny, she has been singing up a storm for weeks but didn't make a peep after she actually laid an egg.