Australorps breed Thread

[bruceha2000]

This is Kinra--one of my Original BAs from Cackle hatchery. She is going on 7 years old!



Added: The hen on the right is a Hupp Farm's Blue Australorp.

I looked up Hupp Farms Ron, that blue is very pretty. Their site says they no longer ship live animals OR eggs. Better hold on to your Blue!

I'm far from an expert but I would guess this one is a BA. Some of the others look awfully loose feathered to be BAs so perhaps they are Black Orpingtons.

Perhaps @RattlesnakeRidgeWV will chime in, he knows BAs very well.

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Bruce,
You are right Chet told me he is done with BBS Aussies and never liked shipping eggs due to PO treatment. He told me he may try another heritage breed in the future.

Rayanns cock bird has the right conformation to be an Australorp and the third lone hen could pass as a hatchery Australorp. I agree that the other two have very loose feathering and the color does not look like a true black, but that could be the lighting. There are subtle differences between an Orp and a BA that are listed in the American Standard of Perfection Book. I think anybody who is seriously trying to better a breed should purchase the book. Tail angles, size of combs, tight feathers and loose feathers, color of feet and soles, all of that is listed.
Kurt

 

[BlueBaby]

Bruce,
You are right Chet told me he is done with BBS Aussies and never liked shipping eggs due to PO treatment. He told me he may try another heritage breed in the future.

Rayanns cock bird has the right conformation to be an Australorp and the third lone hen could pass as a hatchery Australorp. I agree that the other two have very loose feathering and the color does not look like a true black, but that could be the lighting. There are subtle differences between an Orp and a BA that are listed in the American Standard of Perfection Book. I think anybody who is seriously trying to better a breed should purchase the book. Tail angles, size of combs, tight feathers and loose feathers, color of feet and soles, all of that is listed.
Kurt

Kurt, I have heard that Chet has decided to work with the heritage RI Reds now.

 

[CoopintheWoods]

Are Australorps any more prone to cannibalism than other breeds?

 

[ronott1]

Are Australorps any more prone to cannibalism than other breeds?

Not normally. Worst I have seen are the leghorn types or other high energy breeds. It is usually too close of confinement and or poor nutrition that causes this problem.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:

Agreed ANY CHICKEN will be more peckish with too little space ..
Mine probably could use more space ....but because they free range ...they dont get peckish

 

[teaton]

I have been thinking about purchasing some hatching eggs and starting a BA flock. However I am curious to know if they are going to be like my production reds and lay really well for a year and then slow down drastically. I also want to know from people that have them, do they lay year round, even in the winter? How many years can I expect good laying? Has anyone butchered one, do they dress out nicely? Hows the meat? Any information is appreciated!

 

[ronott1]

I have been thinking about purchasing some hatching eggs and starting a BA flock. However I am curious to know if they are going to be like my production reds and lay really well for a year and then slow down drastically. I also want to know from people that have them, do they lay year round, even in the winter? How many years can I expect good laying? Has anyone butchered one, do they dress out nicely? Hows the meat? Any information is appreciated!

BAs are winter layers. They lay very well for about 3 years but will molt after the first year and will still lay eggs up to about 5 years old.

They are dual purpose but hatchery quality will be about a pound less in size. They are a white skinned breed so you do not get the yellow of a cornish meat bird when you process them.

They taste good though.

 

[teaton]

BAs are winter layers. They lay very well for about 3 years but will molt after the first year and will still lay eggs up to about 5 years old.

They are dual purpose but hatchery quality will be about a pound less in size. They are a white skinned breed so you do not get the yellow of a cornish meat bird when you process them.

They taste good though.

Thanks!!

 

[SeattleSelkie]

BAs are winter layers. They lay very well for about 3 years but will molt after the first year and will still lay eggs up to about 5 years old.

They are dual purpose but hatchery quality will be about a pound less in size. They are a white skinned breed so you do not get the yellow of a cornish meat bird when you process them.

They taste good though.

My experience as well. The line I have (from a Sustainable Poultry Network breeder) lays well for about 4-5 years. The cockerels I process at 16 weeks are a good large carcass of 5 lbs and I find the taste superior to my other layer breeds. The hatchery birds I have seen are smaller, so I would definitely go with a breeder who breeds for true dual purpose.