Australorps breed Thread

[tigercreek]

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Sure! I have a Mlly, Tilly and Myrtle

How about hillbilly singers Dolly and Loretta??...........stan

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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Ohhh, good ones. Don't forget, Emmylou [Harris]

 

[CarolynF]

I have a black aussie that's been laying for just a few weeks now. She's a delight to have, but she has an odd habit. She runs in and out of the coop/nest box about 15-20 times before she sits down to lay. And in the process she scratches and scrapes everything in the nest out of her way, all the way down to bare wood. It sounds like she's going to scratch all the way thru the bottom of the coop!

When we were at the fair I saw another BA hen doing the exact same thing, what a hoot!

Is this common behavior for BAs? I'm also wondering when her eggs will get up to the "large" size. Right now they weigh 1.50 oz. up to 1.65 oz. My DH doesn't believe me that a BA should be laying a Large egg (2 oz. or more).

Thanks!

 

[ronott1]

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Hi Carolyn,

Mine do rip up the nest box down to the wood. I added a four inch board to keep the stuff in the box. They are getting a bit calmer about the box, but I can often tell when one of them is in there bye the noise:/. They like to lay in the same nest box with a line heading out of the little coop.

The eggs are getting bigger--they are in the medium to large range now. They are supposed to get bigger after the first Molt. I do have to say that the BA eggs are the best of the three breeds I have(Golden Comet, RIR and BA).

Bye,

Ron

 

[CarolynF]

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Hi Carolyn,

Mine do rip up the nest box down to the wood. I added a four inch board to keep the stuff in the box. They are getting a bit calmer about the box, but I can often tell when one of them is in there bye the noise:/. They like to lay in the same nest box with a line heading out of the little coop.

The eggs are getting bigger--they are in the medium to large range now. They are supposed to get bigger after the first Molt. I do have to say that the BA eggs are the best of the three breeds I have(Golden Comet, RIR and BA).

Bye,

Ron

Hi Ron,
Thanks for the information. I'm glad to hear it's typical of the breed. My tiny flock of 3 has only one nest box which is alongside their pop door. No choices. But I have noticed that since the BA began to lay, I've found eggs (hers and the EE's) outside the box, sometimes in front of the doorway. I'm guessing it's her that's doing it. The next bird to start laying is a Marans, I wonder what new behavior I'll start seeing then.

What did you mean when you said the BA eggs are the best... size, flavor, or something else?

 

[ronott1]

Hi Ron,
Thanks for the information. I'm glad to hear it's typical of the breed. My tiny flock of 3 has only one nest box which is alongside their pop door. No choices. But I have noticed that since the BA began to lay, I've found eggs (hers and the EE's) outside the box, sometimes in front of the doorway. I'm guessing it's her that's doing it. The next bird to start laying is a Marans, I wonder what new behavior I'll start seeing then.

What did you mean when you said the BA eggs are the best... size, flavor, or something else?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The BA eggs have a different shape and the yolks are more orange. I feed them all the same and they all free range all day, so probably the BA's are foraging more. The white seems a bit thicker than the RIR and Golden Comet eggs.

I will try to take a picture of them tonight.

Oh, Marans are supposed to have great eggs! I might get a couple of them next year(I will have to pretend that 12 chickens is the new 6 since I am only allowed 6 in my town

).

Have fun!

Ron

 

[CarolynF]

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Yep... chicken math says 12 = 6 !!!

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

Hey! Sorry to butt in, but I was hoping someone could give me some info. I have some really nice black aussies, that a friend gave me to raise since he lacks space. He has been raising and showing them for 20 years or something. Its a show strain, that has won him ribbons at the state fair, and won me best of breed at a couple of local shows. I don't know much about the breed or the type, but I have gotten all hens this spring and last fall. Really nice big stock, that look just like the parents so I assume they are good, but really I have no idea.
What would you sell point of lay pullets or young hens for?
I just have no idea. I know my friend paid a TON for the trio, and these all look like carbon copies to me. I just need some space and someone local wanted to know how much I wanted for them. I dont know the going rate. Thanks!
Feel free to PM me if you want!

Uploaded some pics of the roo that won me an awesome Best of Breed plate and ribbon!

 

[ronott1]

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Hi Bluegrass Seramas,

Great Rooster! I wish I could have Roosters, but they are not allowed.

Here in Davis CA(North\\Central ish), a local breeder sells Buff Orpington's for: Cockerels-$10 Pullets- $25
French Black Copper Marans: Pullets-$40, Hens- $50 (as available). I wonder what they do with the FCBM Cockerels?

You might get more if you sell Nationally, but then you have the problem shipping live birds.

You could focus more on selling fertile eggs since they are easier to ship. I might be interested in buying some from you.

Good luck!

Ron

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

Thanks Ron! PM me with the title Australorp eggs with your contact info, and Ill make sure to let you know when I get some. He is my only roo, so I let them out of the breeding pens this summer to free range. Eggs should be pure bred, but Ill put him back in with the show hens he came with. I could let you know when I put them back and send you some eggs!

Also-- if anyone wants to tell me more about Australorp type and why mine is good or bad, that might help me. I love to learn, but am mainly a Serama expert.