Black austrolorps good for laying eggs?

[beaker]

I have about a dozen Australorps, they are nice birds and good layers. I did have several go broody last summer/fall though, and were quite determined about it. I haven't let one be a mommy yet, maybe this coming year.

That blue boot-hating rooster is very weird - I thought chickens couldn't see blue! I had a rooster that would attack a red baseball bat we had.

 

[pringle]

wow thanks for all the fast responses I think ill get 3 fem BAs and 1 male BA thanks for peruading me to get these.

 

[pringle]

oh yeah one more question are they winter hardy?

 

[19hhbelgian]

Quote:
Yep!! We have temps in single digits here along with a fresh batch of 2 feet of snow... My girls a fine

 

[Cats Critters]

oh yeah one more question are they winter hardy?

I know the girls are at least.​

 

[teach1rusl]

Glad you've decided...I don't think you'll regret it. My BA is a nice girl too. She just started laying this week (at 21 1/2 weeks). She's my lead hen/pullet, and is very fair and nice in managing my tiny flock. She's great about being picked up, although she's not a big snuggler. She is the most vocal of my five (although that may be because she's the boss/in charge). To me, she was a bit of an ugly duckling while feathering out, but now I think she's gorgeous, with glossy black feathers (w/a green sheen) and her bright red comb and wattles....

 

[Elite Silkies]

I have 8 hens and 1 roo and I abosolutely love them. Although, I don't get to tend to them anymore, my husband has to do that. But, out of the 8 hens we have been getting 7 eggs a day for the last few days, so they are starting to pick up again. We were only get 4 or 5, but they are great layers. Esp. when the weather warms up. They slow down to about every other day when the weather is really really cold, but they never stop laying.

They are gorgeous birds, and mine are very docile. My roo is a sweet boy and has never shown any aggression. I don't think I have ever heard him crow. He must crow early in the mornings when I am still sleeping. Didn't hear him not once crow today.

When I had 4 roo's together they were always crowing. I guess they were having a contest of who could crown the loudest. But, with just one, it's very quite around here. Mine started laying around 6 months old maybe a little older. I get nice size eggs from them and they are very tasty. My family loves the toads in a hole.

I just can't say enough good things about them.

However, I do have one Lavender Orpington that I am very fond of. The friendliest bird I have ever seen. Literally loves attention. I don't think you could go wrong with either breed. The Australorp was bred from the Orpington.

This is my roo when he was several months younger. He is much prettier now.

One of my pullets before she started laying. Much larger and prettier now.

 

[Bedste]

Yes they are wonderful for laying eggs and they have such cute eyes too!

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
They DO have pretty eyes, don't they!?!

 

[Megs]

I adore my australorps, i have 8 girls (5 hens and 3 pullets) and 1 roo. The hens are 2.5 years old and the pullets around 9 months, d say they average 5 eggs a day (between 4-8). I dont handle them so they are a little skittish around me (except for compost or scratch!), but the rooster does an awsome job protecting his ladies (even from each other when i introduced the pullets) and has never raised an eye at me, even when i singlehandedly mite powdered him, he is such a doll, though i bet hes right around 10 lbs.

ETA a pic! and yes he has some ee ladies as well