First Flock!

[TwoCrows]

I wish ours were more cuddly they're on the shyer, more flighty side. We hand-raised them, but they still prefer to keep their own company.
Oh well- maybe next flock we'll have some lap-chickens!

Oh no! Australorps need to be started at day one with a lot of handling. They can be a shy breed. I like to lay down an old sheet on the living room floor and get them out of the brooder every day sitting with them. They naturally gravitate to your lap seeking safety, I start this as day olds and it seems to make a huge dent in the shyness factor.

 

[CharcoalDragon]

Welcome to BYC! And the wonderful world of chicken math.

No KIDDING. Having a flock has been a long-time dream for me, and my partner knows this, so when I sent my partner out for chicken feed one day, they call me at the store; "Can we have turkeys? No? What about ducks? They still have hatchlings here..." Straight up enabler.

 

[featherhead007]

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to BYC, I think you're gonna love this place. We surely do

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

 

[sziemba]

Welcome to BYC! And the wonderful world of chicken math.

 

[CharcoalDragon]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Australorps are my FAVORITE breed! I won't keep a flock without them, just super friendly like drooling puppies. They are very health and climate hardy and not only can they tolerate excessive cold and heat, but they live quite long. I've had them live to 9+ yrs old, many yrs longer than the average hatchery breed chicken.

Enjoy your flock and welcome to ours!

I wish ours were more cuddly they're on the shyer, more flighty side. We hand-raised them, but they still prefer to keep their own company.
Oh well- maybe next flock we'll have some lap-chickens!

 

[CharcoalDragon]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
PBRs are also a wonderful choice. It just so happens that my PBR and BA are BFFs!!

How cute! I wish we could have more than four birds at a time... That chicken math would get me REAL quick.

 

[CharcoalDragon]

Oh no! Australorps need to be started at day one with a lot of handling. They can be a shy breed. I like to lay down an old sheet on the living room floor and get them out of the brooder every day sitting with them. They naturally gravitate to your lap seeking safety, I start this as day olds and it seems to make a huge dent in the shyness factor.

Yeah, we did the best we could- I was scared to push them too hard, so we did a lot of hand-feeding, talking, and petting. Though I imagine having to traumatize them to clean the pasty butts did us no favors...
Thanks for the tip though, we will definitely be trying this the next time we get chicks!