Darnit! Why oh WHY did I get Black Australorps?

[walkswithdog]

You lucked out, the most contentious, bossy and loud chickens here are the two BA girls. A friend brought me a BA cockeral, he's still skittish.

While one was brave enough to fight a hawk, even after he wounded her. I still wouldn't do it again. These are cranky things. Though in their defense I got all of them after they were four months. Boy they lay like champions though. That keeps them out of freezer camp.

And I play with all my critters, even the ones intended for food. Yes, I'm black hearted.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Our Australorp, Olympia, is the sweetest girl, lead hen, and soon-to-be mama. We love her.

A snapshot of the beauty ahead, with big brown eyes and glossy black feathers (yup, since you're already hooked it can't hurt )

 

[vortec]

I am one that is having the opposite experience as well. In that brooder, of Rhode Island Reds, Buff orps, and BAs, the BAs are very standoffish and spook when you try to pet them. The Buff orps are very daring, and the RIRs are loveable, and will go to sleep in your hand. I hope they will get more outgoing or else I will opt for different breeds in subsequent orders. They are great looking though, and I think I got lucky with two hens out of three straight run chicks. I have heard they are great layers.

vortec

 

[LaLoomis]

I'm having a similar experience with the BAs that I added to my order as fillers. They are bold and friendly and are the only chicks to run up to me when I walk in the room.

A friend came over to see the chicks and immediately named two of the the BAs Popeye and ChuChu when they jumped on his hand. I don't know if I can eat them once they have names.

This is Popeye with another chick just entering her ugly phase:

 

[skeeter9]

You think you are in love with your BA's now? Wait until they grow up! Ours is the sweetest, friendliest girl, and she lays x-large to jumbo eggs almost every single day. She sill climb up into my lap and snuggle in for a nap if I'm outside reading or grading papers. She's also a great momma. She's hatched 2 batches of her own and adopted one from another hen. You might as well just resign yourself to the fact that you will need to buy something else for meat!!!

Some of those creepy cornish things would be fine!!!

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Quote:
lololol! So true!

We used to name our beefers beef and stew every year. Our pigs were always pork and chop... I should have just called these guys nuggets in the first place and not interacted with them so much... Oh well.

next time i'll get leghorns or something equally as unpleasant.

i cant believe there were a few posts on here with people who had unfriendly BA's! Thats unimaginable!

 

[Robin'sBrood]

I love my BA hen, Betty.

She lays the prettiest, tastiest brown eggs. And she is so sweet -- I could NEVER eat her.


Black Betty

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Quote:
Okay that made me have to sing the song.

WHOOAAAA black betty!

 

[MissCluck]

Black Betty is Beautiful!

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:
Okay that made me have to sing the song.

WHOOAAAA black betty!

Yep, that's where her name came from.