Australorps breed Thread

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

It is perfectly natural for them to stick close to home and seek cover, especially if they have experienced danger in the past. Believe it or not chickens are very territorial and prefer a normal routine and familiar surroundings.
Kurt

 

[MonicainAZ]

Thinking it over, I wonder if it is because I live somewhat near the airport, I suppose chicken instincts aren't developed to know the difference between planes and other big birds. I've never seen any large birds that would pose a threat.

I hear stories of other people's chickens wandering off or flying over fences, or free ranging over acreage, but mine are never more than 20 ft from their coop! At least I don't have to worry about them getting lost.

Ironically the only danger they have ever encountered was from my own dog, who managed to get in their brooder when they were a few weeks old and lick them half to death! They survived obviously (they weren't actually hurt, just wet and freaked out), and don't really seem to pay her any attention especially. She is not out when they are out, but she barks at them through the glass door or occasionally charges their coop, and they just blow her off, lol.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Thinking it over, I wonder if it is because I live somewhat near the airport, I suppose chicken instincts aren't developed to know the difference between planes and other big birds. I've never seen any large birds that would pose a threat.

My baby Roo did sound a alarm call at a jet.. one burst today ..
Everyone looked up but because Lucky didnt sound they ignored it .

Chickens do have a routine ..if they have done theirs...maybe the last thing is to go in the coop .
Maybe if you let them out more they would range a little more ..or put treats out for them to discover

 

[TxAg11]

Two of my flock are Australorp/Leghorn crosses. They came from the same farm, but look drastically different. I love the yellow feathers around her neck and the green tail feathers. The other spotted one has some sort of weird afro thing on her head. They're skittish as heck, but at least they're laying eggs.

 

[appps]

The yellow neck is striking. I would be surprised if your spotted one was an australorp leghorn cross. Looks more like it's got barred rock or speckled something in it.

How old are they? When my chicken developed those yellow neck feathers it was the first sign it was a boy

 

[TxAg11]

The yellow neck is striking. I would be surprised if your spotted one was an australorp leghorn cross. Looks more like it's got barred rock or speckled something in it.

How old are they? When my chicken developed those yellow neck feathers it was the first sign it was a boy

Thank you! And there is no barred rock. Only Australorp and leghorns in the coop. They are about 6 months old. I'm pretty positive she's a female, as she laid an egg just yesterday

 

[Lobzi]

I have many with that golden neck. None of mine are pure anything. I even have gray girls with the golden neck feathers. They have gotten many compliments on their look.

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Genetics are a funny thing. Somewhere in the past was a barred gene or that could not happen. A pure australorp and a leghorn could make the white earlobed and gold neck bird but not the barred bird with the polish hat! Trust me, there are mixed genetics in your birds past to have those offspring. There are black birds in many breeds but that does not make them Australorps, it makes them a black feathered chicken.
Kurt

 

[bruceha2000]

I was going to post "what the heck!" and expound but Kurt gave more info that I was going to offer

 

[appps]

Thank you! And there is no barred rock. Only Australorp and leghorns in the coop. They are about 6 months old. I'm pretty positive she's a female, as she laid an egg just yesterday

Congrats on your first egg . And phew for dodging the rooster bullet lol