Is this an australorp, or a mix?

[Unobtanium]

 

[HuskerHens18]

Looks like a mix. They're supposed to be all black

 

[PouleChick]

Looks like my Matilda who is a 'Harco' which I beleive is a mix of 2 varieties (coffee hasn't kicked in and I can't remember which two!). But no doesn't look like an Australorp to me in shape or colour.

 

[Unobtanium]

Looks like my Matilda who is a 'Harco' which I beleive is a mix of 2 varieties (coffee hasn't kicked in and I can't remember which two!). But no doesn't look like an Australorp to me in shape or colour.

How "bad" is this? Still worth $15/bird for young hens about to begin laying, or is this something that is not good and may lead to behaviors/etc that I am not interested in or that may be damaging for the flock or something (like an inbred /vicious pit )? I know nothing of chickens, I'm sorry for the odd question.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

she looks like a black sex link to me, not an australorp.

I think that's slightly expensive, but not horrible.

 

[PouleChick]

My Matilda is just gorgeous - she is friendly and funny and so curious about everything and first to run up to say hello and I've never seen her behave badly to the others.

She also lays really, really well - barely misses a day ever - we'll see how she is in the winter.

 

[Unobtanium]

Okay, they are indeed Black Stars. I need some advice fast, as I plan to buy today. The seller is not being pushy, but I did set an appointment and would like to keep it if I get them. I originally wanted Black Australorps. How do these differ?

Things I care about:


Surviving the cold
Surviving the heat
Predator awareness
General "ruggedness"
Friendliness
Intelligence
Egg production
Life span

 

[Frazzemrat1]

black sex links may not live as long, or lay as long as an Australorp, but they will be prolific with their egg laying. Otherwise, they are all the same as the Australorp in the sense of heat and cold tolerance, friendliness etc...

 

[Unobtanium]

black sex links may not live as long, or lay as long as an Australorp, but they will be prolific with their egg laying. Otherwise, they are all the same as the Australorp in the sense of heat and cold tolerance, friendliness etc...

How long will they live? How long will they lay eggs for? What is typical for the Australorp, too? Sorry, if you've followed my posts, you know that I don't know mcuh about this and am trying to catch up to speed ASAP.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I understand.
according to the following site, Australorps mature at 16-20 weeks old, and will lay 5 eggs or so a week. (huh, more than I thought they would) That's about what I thought that a black sex link would do. Chickens usually live between 5-8+ years, from what I understand.
https://meyerhatch.desk.com/custome...13642-breed-characteristics-rate-of-maturity-