Australorps !!!! I'm obsessed

[SwtGrc]

Oh, you're in Northern California, too! Maybe it has something to do with all of those contrails in our neck of the woods.

Where are you in Nor Cal!?!

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I do have a soft spot for these as well. My very first chickens ever were a mix of Australorp and RIR.... so beautiful!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Where are you in Nor Cal!?!

We're just outside Redding.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I do have a soft spot for these as well. My very first chickens ever were a mix of Australorp and RIR.... so beautiful!

That would be a beautiful combination. My husband has requested a flock that doesn't match. I like them all the same, and he likes variety, so the compromise would be an Australorp or RIR.

 

[Chelseyb123]

I have two that are a 1.5yr . Very independent ladies. Alice an turdy. Alice is more black with hints of blue an trudy is more blue an green when the sun hits. Very hardy birds lay nice big eggs and mine stick together they are also sisters.

 

[BantyChooks]

Barred Rocks look like oversized pigeons. Astralops look like turkey vultures.

Welsummers all the way!!

Nah, Chanteclers are way better than wellies.

 

[Rubysword]

I hatched a black australorp. It was the friendliest bird I've ever owned. I was devastated when he was a rooster, because we live in a neighborhood. We'll be getting some female chicks of them in the spring!

 

[gimmie birdies]

They are pretty birds. They are cute B&W chicks, then I love the green and purple sheen they get. I have some mixes currently.

 

[getaclue]

Why don't you check with the APA, and find out who one or two of the judges are in your area, then give them a call, and ask who breeds good Australorps, Buffs, etc. Contact the breeder(s) that they recommend. While this is a little more troublesome to do, there are a few very good reasons to do this. Even though you don't intend to show them, you are still getting the benefit of years of excellent breeding, for the best traits, and hardiness. Most good breeders will not breed mean chickens, especially roosters, so their temperaments are much better. While it's true a lot of the broodiness has been bred out of them, that's a good thing when you are mostly wanting eggs, and don't want to spend a lot of time breaking broody hens, that don't lay during that time.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Nah, Chanteclers are way better than wellies.

I can be really cheeky with my comments, but it was so cute how people started chiming in and declaring their chickens as the best breeds, when this is a discussion on Astrolabs. I can't ever spell it correctly.

Anyway, my first choice chicken was a Buff. I love the coloring, and they're so sweet and friendly. But in our obnoxiously hot climate, I decided something just a pound lighter or so would be that more comfortable and likely to survive the heat, so I brought home a box full of Wellies.

They're delightful little chicken critters. The BEST ever, folks!!! Numero Uno!!!!!!