Australorps breed Thread

[talesofatinyhomestead]

Hi there,
I'm new here but was wondering if anyone knew of an Australorp breeder in Washington state that I could get some chicks from? I hate the thought of shipping them if I don't have to, and would rather support the local producers.
Thanks very much!

 

[blaundee]

I don't know of any, but WELCOME!!!

We are glad to have you!

BTW, I love your name.

 

[peepacheep]

Welcome talesofatinyhomestead! I saw Australorps listed on the breed list for Farwest Hatchery in Canby, Or. I just learned of the hatchery and do not know anything about their breeding stock. The 3 BA's I have are from Coastal Feed. They are terrific layers but far from show quality.

 

[talesofatinyhomestead]

Thanks! I'll check them out and see what they've got )

 

[RioLindoAz]

I was thinking of an Australorp/Marans cross, a bird that lays a large amount of dark eggs and would be a good meat bird.

Hmmmm.....

 

[tigercreek]

Rio, I sure hope you let me know how that cross comes out! Been thinking about that myself. Saw some really nice quality Black Marans not long ago. I think you should stay away from the copper or brown colors. You might get a lot of tail, and more leggy of a bird. I was thinking you could tightrn up the feathers plus .........those dark eggs ........stan

 

[talesofatinyhomestead]

Well thanks for the hatchery info, I found out my neighbor is ordering from the same place, so we're due to get our chicks mid March, YAY! Australorps for me, exotics for her

Can't wait!
Do you guys know if I can start chicks on the Alfalfa tea that I'm hearing about? And if so, can I also add my apple cider vinegar and garlic cloves to this mix? Or will the acidity of the ACV do damage to the alfalfa part of it?
Thanks!

 

[aveca]

You will really like the australorps if you like egg layers.. Mine are monster egg layers. If they are treated right they will not dissapoint in the egg dept. Ive never eaten an australorp but have freinds who have, I know...easter bunny farmer I am... But I never go without eggs.

My freinds have RIRs and brown leghorns and whites and an assortment and they are not p[roducing the eggs this winter. She has customers that have been waiting. got them set up with light in a better area , but they still arnt picking up. shes getting impatient, I said just hang in there the light will get them going now that its nearer to them but it will be 2 to 3 weeks ..These australorps went down in numbers for about a month 10 hens down to 4 to 6 eggs a day back up to 9 - 10 eggs a day again.my freinds has 36 hens and they dropped right down to 4-9 eggs a day, thats pretty low, they have everything they need, water, feed OS ect...so not sure whats going on there, they seem content.

My.husband breeds high yeild australorps at our other farm..he has one that laid 340 eggs. had she not gone broody for a spell there would have been more he thinks...pretty good, shes his prize hen..and has rooster known to produce high yeild hens..he keeps pretty good records on them. but right now hes keepng a low number of birds, ,culls right down to the best so he can keep close eye on them. Ive borrowed a hen or 2 from him time to time just cause they cn cross well into the show flock.they have a bit bigger tails than mine and his birds have a different look, more like a black leghorn. but with australorp eye and correct foot color ect... but Im telling you he gets so many eggs he gives them out to the neighborhood down there. hes working them with no artificial light. when i bring one of his hens up here and they get under a light, in winter, its like a saturday afternoon cartoon of a hen and a conveyor belt of eggs coming out.

Some of the marans are great eating birds. Would be inbteresting to see what that cross produces.

 

[jmc]

sorry to interrupt, but i have been shying away from getting Aussies b/c i don't think they will lay as well as prod rir, br s, and certainly not as well as the hybrid machines.

but from what some of you say, maybe my thinking is a bit off here? I can't imagine aussies laying as well as, say, red stars, but i would much rather have PURE breeds that can be reproduced--unlike the hybrids.

so i am down to rir, br, and ausssies...............

i realize that laying prowess depends on many factors, but i think at least some of you would say AUSSIES WILL SURELY COMPETE WITH RIR AND BR FOR LAYING PROWESS.

i have 18 to provide for, so......................

thoughts?

 

[Inkheart]

At one time the Australorps were known - records holders for the amount of eggs that they lay - mind you i think that might have slipped over the years- BUT you add their total climate hardiness - pleasant disposition and great looks - i think they cannot be beat. Not sure as far as competing with the Hybrids - but as far as purebred they are ranked near the top for egg laying - Leghorns are another breed that lays alot - but not nearly as nice as Aussies!