Lohmann brown - Australorp get along

[SA gardener]

Will Lohmann brown hens get along with Australorps (hens and a rooster) ?
Anybody with experience keeping them together ?

 

[aart]

Breed really doesn't matter, unless it's bantams or floppy topped birds.
Are you looking to add the Aussies to a flock of Lohmans...or visa versa?

I'll assume you are adding birds, so here's some tips about......

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[SA gardener]

Breed really doesn't matter, unless it's bantams or floppy topped birds.
Are you looking to add the Aussies to a flock of Lohmans...or visa versa?

I'll assume you are adding birds, so here's some tips about......

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thanks for the detailed answer
I am considering getting 2 Lohman browns to add to a coop with 3 Australorp hens (24 week old, not laying) and 1 Australorp rooster.
It is currently mid winter here in Johannesburg, South Africa where we get mild winters but temperatures will start to increase in about 30 days from today (mid August), at which point I expect the chickens to start laying, I was supposed to have 4 Australorp hens but 1 turned out to be a rooster , so that's why I'm considering getting more hens

 

[aart]

I am considering getting 2 Lohman browns to add to a coop with 3 Australorp hens (24 week old, not laying) and 1 Australorp rooster.

I hope you have plenty of space in your coop and run, that is the number one thing, then comes time.

It is currently mid winter here in Johannesburg, South Africa where we get mild winters but temperatures will start to increase in about 30 days from today (mid August), at which point I expect the chickens to start laying,

It's more about day length increasing than temperatures.
I would expect them to start laying soon depending on their overall health and diet.

I figured SA was South Africa....but....
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!