Chicken novice needs info about Australorps and Wyandottes

[VT Chick-lit]

I am a soon to be keeper of chickens. I am so excited! I am also a little nervous. I will be getting two chickens this Sunday. One is an Australorp and the other is a Silver-laced Wyandotte. Both of the girls are 2 years old. They are being rehomed to me by their present owner because he has gotten new chicks. Can anyone tell me about the temperment of these two breeds, also are they hardy? Since I live in northern Vermont, the winter cold is a concern. Their present owner lived in a less rural area than we do and their hen house was in a more sheltered area. My husband and I are converting our "Ice Fishing Shanty / Garden Shed" into a hen house with a fenced in run. There are also fox and racoons that our girls will need to be protected against. Your suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[dangerouschicken]

Wyandottes are wonderful chickens. They are very mellow, lay regularly, and are big and fluffy. They have a rose comb, so their combs do not freeze in winter, and they are bred to be winter hardy. They can go broody and are good mamas. They also have a good shape to them; a very traditional curved hen shape. I have had golden laced, buff, and silver laced. All were sweet, especially my favorite buff, Mabel. Lets hope your new Wyandotte will have good manners, too.

 

[farm_mom]

I've raised both breeds here in MI and in my experience both breeds are very well tempered and handle the cold well, even lay through the winter! Congrats on the new birds and good luck!!

 

[VT Chick-lit]

I picked up my two new girls on Sunday. I was a nervous new chicken mother, checking on them at least ten times on Sunday, to be sure that they were OK in their new hen house. I was relieved to see that they were not traumatized at all from the 1 hour ride to their new digs! They were curiously checking out every inch of the 4'x6' structure. I guess they like their new home because they left me an egg in the nesting box this morning! Oh Joy!

 

[Chirpy]

I have four Australorp hens. We love them! They are so sweet and let my little girls (7 and 8 yrs. old) pick them up anytime and hold them.

We have some pretty cold temps (below zero for a couple weeks at a time) and nasty storms here in the winter and they all did just fine through their first winter. They are with several other breeds and we have no issues between them.

I might mention that we had an Australorp roo and loved him until he began to attack my children. He was the best protector of his flock but when he started chasing my children while free ranging we re-homed him to a family with no children.

 

[SueNH]

My wyandottes and australorps do great here in northern NH. They will be fine. You may want to get another hen or two for body heat in the winter out in the bob house. I do notice mine snuggling on the perches on the coldest of nights otherwise they really aren't bothered as long as they can get out of the wind and wet. I've never kept only just a couple so I don't know. I do know that closed up 40 hens can warm up an uninsulated building.

I had a wyandotte hen that rivaled my cats in her mouse hunting ability. Was pretty amazing to watch her work the outbuildings.

 

[farm_mom]

Glad you are enjoying your girls, and they're enjoying their new home.