Black Australorp source recomendations

[puddleglumWI]

Hello all,

I have been researching a lot of different breeds for a dual purpose flock, about 8 hens and a rooster, that I want to establish this spring. After looking hard at Delawares and New Hampshires, I ultimately think a breed that is geared more towards laying will be a better fit for me. Black Australorps seem like a really good option, as they can be excelent layers and extra roosters could be passable for meat. Also, when I was a kid, we had Australorps and I have fond memories of them poking around the yard.

Anyone know of a good breeder that raises Black Australorps? Close to S.E. Wisconsin would be ideal, but I can drive a few hours if needed, or a good breeder that ships would be an option as well.

Anyone have an experience with ordering Australorps from a hatchery they can share?

Thank you
-pg

 

[3KillerBs]

@3KillerBs has Australorps I believe. I’m sure could give you a recommendation

I have Blue Australorps from Welp and they are champion layers.

Not quite up there with the California Whites, but 6-7 eggs a week most weeks.

 

[3KillerBs]

You know, after looking at some pics of the Blue Australorps, I am kind of tempted to try them instead

You could try some of each.

 

[puddleglumWI]

The Blue Australorps are looking like a good option for me. My folks will be my primary chicken sitters if I go away for a weekend, and Mom was bugging me about a Golden Laced Wyandote we had, when I was a kid, that she named Penny. She wanted me to get one and, since she will be a major helper with the flock, I was trying to figure out if I could say no.

I showed her the Blue Australorps and she really liked them since they can have a bit of the lacing. "Like my Penny," she said. An excellent compromise. She can pick her favorite and maybe we can call her Penny Steele, like the steel pennies from 1943. Now I just need to make sure she knows she can only name one of them, and that is the only one that is completely safe from the soup pot.

 

[grizleyguy]

I ordered 10 black Australorp chicks through tractor supply website and received 12. It was hoover hatchery chicks. They hatched on Jan 4 and now they are thriving. They free range all day and eat very little of the corn and sunflower seeds I offer every afternoon. I sold my neighbor half of the Australorp flock when they were a week old. Mine free-range, his birds stay in cage on Purina feed. Mine look like giants compared to his. I traded one of my roosters for one of his hens the other day. I'll take pics tomorrow to show the size and development difference. It's crazy. I took them off of chick starter dumor at 5 weeks. They were outside in coop with no lamp at 1 month. I would recommend hoover black Australorp.

 

[puddleglumWI]

Blue is incompletely dominant.

I was puzzling this one over last night and the way I understand it, now, is that the black is the recesive gene and the splash is the dominant gene. When a chicken receives a black and a splash, however, it causes the blue coloring.

I think this is still a partially incomplete understanding, it seems there is more at work here.

 

[puddleglumWI]

A little off topic, but have you considered New Hampshires from Freedom Ranger hatchery? They lay more eggs and have more meat than those from other hatcheries, so you might consider this strain of NH. Several folks on here had good things to say about them.

Also they may have black australorps.

I did look at them, and they are a close second or third to Australorps. The Delawares from Deer Run Farm also are tempting. I am more interested in egg production, so the Australorps seem a better fit.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I did look at them, and they are a close second or third to Australorps. The Delawares from Deer Run Farm also are tempting. I am more interested in egg production, so the Australorps seem a better fit.

Just for the record, my Delaware was an excellent layer. If that helps. Totally understand wanting the Australorps though. I loved mine. I will say though both my Delaware and Australorps ate a ton hah if that matters at all to you.

 

[puddleglumWI]

I have Blue Australorps from Welp and they are champion layers.

Not quite up there with the California Whites, but 6-7 eggs a week most weeks.

Thanks @3KillerBs

Any reason to think Welp's Black Australorps will lay any differently than their Blues?

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks @3KillerBs

Any reason to think Welp's Black Australorps will lay any differently than their Blues?

No, I don't think so. Australorps have the reputation of being good layers in general.