Australorps Breeding for SOP and Exhibition Thread

[getaclue]

I plan to, yes. I'm just starting out with this breed, and with showing, but yes I plan to show them. I've done a lot of studying on the matter, and have a friend that has been showing a different breed for a few years, and they are willing to help me get off to a good start. As I learn, I teach my daughters. They will carry on after I'm no longer able, or am gone. I am a breast cancer survivor, so I now live in 5 year increments. The sooner and the better I do this, the better off I will leave for them to carry on with. So....we're off and running!

 

[bonnylass79]

They look very nice so far. They are 6 weeks old? They have a lot of growing and changing before they are full grown.

For those that breed and show Australorps, what would you cull for at this age? Leg color? What else.

edited to add: I think the leg color looks good from what I see on yours. I am just getting a list of early faults to look for.

At this age, I look at eye color and shape and any obvious faults. I'm starting to select for mostly or all white toenails. Mine need a lot of work there. I don't actually cull until they're a little bigger though. Might as well feed them out and put meat in my freezer.

 

[ronott1]

At this age, I look at eye color and shape and any obvious faults. I'm starting to select for mostly or all white toenails. Mine need a lot of work there. I don't actually cull until they're a little bigger though. Might as well feed them out and put meat in my freezer.

Yes, culling in this case is not breeding them. Later they can become Dinner or Egg layers.

Do you color band them and keep notes?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Posting here so this thread will show in my queue!

 

[bonnylass79]

Yes, culling in this case is not breeding them. Later they can become Dinner or Egg layers.

Do you color band them and keep notes?

Not at this age. The faults just get more pronounced as they get older, so there's no need. Everyone will stay in the grow out pens together until I either butcher or decide who to groom for the fall shows. I do have some birds from Matt Ulrich that I'll need to tag when they get moved to the main flock. When they're about 6 months old, they get leg bands.

 

[getaclue]

Hi bonnylass79, glad to see you on here!

 

[bonnylass79]

Hi bonnylass79, glad to see you on here!

Hi

Sorry, I've been lurking.

Are there any breeders near Coolidge, AZ? I have someone with a few of my birds and she wants more, but I'm trying to steer her away from hatcheries.

 

[ronott1]

Hi

Sorry, I've been lurking.

Are there any breeders near Coolidge, AZ? I have someone with a few of my birds and she wants more, but I'm trying to steer her away from hatcheries.

huppfarm is in Duncan Arizona. I do not know if that is close or not though.

http://hpbaa.com/Hupp_Farm.php

 

[kouros]

Hi Folks,
I have 6 girls, 2 Partridge Cochin, 1 golden lace wing Cochin, 2 Australorps, 1 Americana. I love my Australorps and would love to have more. The girls I have now came from a friend that got 100 or so all mixed breeds and sold them when they were 8 weeks old. Didn't know much about chickens then and picked them out based on what research I had done for cold weather and docile breeds , now I know they probably came from a hatchery. My Partridge Cochins came from a breeder in North Bran-ford, boy is there a size difference!! They are HUGE compared to the hatchery birds and noisy. Just seeing the size difference between the bred birds and the commercial birds helped me see I really want to get birds that are bred to the standard. Soooooo I am looking for a breeder of the fabulous and marvelous Australorps to purchase two more for my flock. We have 1/2 acre that is fenced in . Two Vizsla's that help ward off any intruders.The girls go out about 6:00 Am free range all day in the yard and gardens and back in the coops at 8:30 ish. Did I mention they get snacks......... They are a little spoiled. Any direction on where to get my next addition would be wonderful!! Sunny in Ct. Thanks

 

[Turk Raphael]

It's so easy to make a mistake. Sorry. Now un-subscribing.

Turk