Australorps !!!! I'm obsessed

[boatagor]

I actually had a barred rock that I returned to the farm where I got.my chickens. She was super bossy, and actually almost injured me flying at one of our other chickens to attack her. She was friendly to people but definitely not to other chickens. Our Australorp is the biggest chicken in the flock but is at the bottom of the pecking order.

Edit to add I was holding the other chicken in my lap and she came at her to attack so flew right past my head. I didn't want my kids to get in the middle of that kind of tussle. She also wouldn't let that particular chicken out of the coop, if she saw her out she would attack. They were all together at the farm and obviously raised together here as well.

 

[junebuggena]

Agree, Barred Rocks are great birds, but need to be kept busy and need plenty of elbow room to keep their dominant natures from becoming problematic.

 

[Chullicken]

Go with what you like and what 'speaks' to you. Everyone on here has an opinion as to why and which. I've had three Australorps and they've been great. Very calm and mild mannered. Get a long with flock mates rather well and have a crazy discerning look to them when you get to close. Beautiful dark brown feathers with a green sheen. Often times broody if given the chance. Just a word of caution, if you get them from a feed store/catalog breeder online..often times they will put Australorps and Black Jersey Giants in the same category as they are very similar. I bought Jersey Giants and ended up with Austrolorps. Pictured is Bunting 'The Judger' and her brother, Ruth Jenner.(He was supposed to be a hen..)

They are not the most 'pick me up and hold me' of a breed out there, but a great choice for a first time owner.

 

[moniquem]

"Ruth Jenner" I love it!

 

[Chullicken]

"Ruth Jenner" I love it!

Funny about that, just came to me when that whole thing was going on and I was fully expecting a complete backlash..'you're an inconsiderate..***'. lol..but, it has been widely laughed at which was the intention. Great rooster once he got older and settled down. He's now living up the road from me at an animal rescue which was awesome.

 

[Peter.J]

Lol on the Ruth Jenner

I agree regarding barred rocks; i’ve Had a few and they can be mean to the other hens. Australorps are pretty nice, so are Wyandottes, americaunas, the list goes on... I think you should do the noah’s Ark thing and get 2 of a kind of a few breeds so you can start to get a feel for the differences...
Another thing, why wait till the spring? You should get on craigslist and look for ‘pullets’ in your area, chances are you’ll be getting eggs by spring time then! You can always do chics at some point, but trust me, pullets are a lot easier. Chics are fun to do at some point, but they require a fair amount of attention on a daily basis, feeding/watering/cleaning/checking for pasty butt etc...

 

[moniquem]

I think you should do the noah’s Ark thing and get 2 of a kind of a few breeds so you can start to get a feel for the differences...

Yep, I plan to. Will likely get an Australorp, Buff Orpington, Speckled Susex, Welsummer. These seem to be gentler than some of the others. I know its a crap shoot, so we'll just see.

Another thing, why wait till the spring?

Right now we are full of snow and I really need a coop set up before I bring home chickies. Trust me the moment the snow starts melting....

 

[getaclue]

Currently, I only raise Black Australorps. I didn't get hatchery stock, and it shows both in hardiness, and temperament.

 

[moniquem]

I checked with my local farm supply store, North 40, and they will have all of those breeds of chicks when I am ready. I'm a little worried at what i'll end up with, I hear stores are not that great at sexing baby chicks or labeling the breed correctly I guess it will be an adventure?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Love my mild mannered Australorp and Buff Orpingtons.

I found the dominant breeds liked Barred Rock didn't fit my desire tho have mellow birds.