Calling all Australorp owners!

[Muscovy Wunda]

Hey guys!
I have the opportunity to buy some beautiful blue Australorps but having a hard time convincing my husband to spend the extra money to get them (he just wants the crosses) so... I need some help! These are birds I could show with my son (I don't have first hand experience in showing chickens but I have a full show chicken family that are willing to help and teach us) but thats of no interest to hubs. What are the benefits of a purebred versus a cross? What quality are the eggs (food items are definitely of interest to him) do you eat them?

 

[ColtHandorf]

Well for starters if the flock produces show quality birds then you're able to sell their hatching eggs or offspring for more than hatchery quality birds. Blue Australorps will result in blue, black, and splash birds so you'll see a lot of color and variation within your blue and splash birds. Australorps are amazing layers and are considered dual-purpose so consuming their eggs and potentially offspring that you cull out of the breeding program is an option.

https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Lorps/BRKLorps.html

 

[Birds of a Feather]

Before getting show birds, it’s a good idea to first check if the breed and variety are accepted in the APA’s Standard of Perfection

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

Before getting show birds, it’s a good idea to first check if the breed and variety are accepted in the APA’s Standard of Perfection

APA doesn't apply in Australia, but yes good idea to look into club rules etc thank you. Owner has shown from this blood line before

 

[Ribh]

APA doesn't apply in Australia, but yes good idea to look into club rules etc thank you. Owner has shown from this blood line before

Heritage breeds are hardier, live longer, lay for longer & are less prone to reproduction issues. I have Australorps, both bantams & standards, in sub tropical Queensland. I specifically chose Australorps for their overall hardiness, good laying, calm dispositions ~ & they are very pretty to boot!

Edited to add: They are a dual purpose bird so can be used as a table bird. I'm vegetarian, so can't comment further on that. They lay a large brown egg most days & aren't prone to broodiness.

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

Thanks guys, he didn't want australorps he wanted white rhode islands. So we negotiated and got 4 australorps and 1 rhode island