tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post6861507855348088996..comments2024-03-24T19:45:21.933-04:00Comments on Natural Chicken Keeping: What to Look For in Black Australorp ChickensBulldogmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773653470602929019noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-74878736898765192062017-04-07T14:43:13.369-04:002017-04-07T14:43:13.369-04:00The pale comb and wattles tells me there is an iss...The pale comb and wattles tells me there is an issue with parasites - internal, external or possibly both. Any time the comb/wattles aren't a nice, deep red, there is something amiss. Broody hens will get pale, but otherwise it generally indicates anemia and poor health.<br /><br />Do what you can to rid them of any internal and external parasites and hopefully once they regain their health, they will lay much better for you!Bulldogmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773653470602929019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-59141543078760290112017-04-06T11:48:47.873-04:002017-04-06T11:48:47.873-04:00Are there physical signs I can look for in my BA? ...Are there physical signs I can look for in my BA? I received 20 hens and 1 rooster, all ranging in age (without specifics.) So i was told anywhere between 1-3 years old. 3/20 hens are small whereas the others are much larger. Safe to assume the larger birds are the older hens. <br /><br />My Issue is, since having them we have only gotten about 2 dozen eggs from them, in the past 3 months. Granted it took them time to acclimate to their new home. Then they were fed the wrong feed for a couple weeks, which took their protein levels down. Once on correct feed, we started receiving about 2-4 eggs every 3-4 days. So recap 20 hens and only 4 eggs.. <br /><br />They are officially in their proper coop as of last week. Next week i will allow them back to free range as they were doing with their temporary coop under our tall porch. <br /><br />Some of the larger hens have random brown feathers and pale combs and wattles. The hens were picking on each other for a little bit while they were free ranging and we gave them some feed spread across the lawn. While watching them, it wasn't just one hen charging another hen. It was a handful of hens charging at each other over food. They have feed available to them to graze on. So it wasn't as if they were starving. <br /><br />I have not seen any signs of mites or lice. But perhaps i am over-looking something. <br /><br />Any advice would be appreciated. Are my hens too old for laying now? due to physical signs of random brown feathers and pale combs and wattles.? <br /><br />The few eggs we were getting range from super small eggs to the average medium light brown egg. <br /><br />At then end of May, i will be adding 5 additional hens, Light Brahmas and one Light Brahma Rooster. With the intention of retiring the BA rooster. <br /><br />I want to make sure my current BA are healthy and still laying before i add the new additions to the flock. <br /><br />Please advise. I have exhausted all other options on trying to figure out why my egg production is so sparse. I wish i had a guide which would assist me in placing an age to my hens. I am concerned the original owner gave me hens ranging from 1-7 instead of 1-3. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-62326477806345159532017-01-22T11:15:36.086-05:002017-01-22T11:15:36.086-05:00Every now and then mother nature gets a bit confus...Every now and then mother nature gets a bit confused. I have had, and know many other chicken keepers who have had an off-season molter. Please be sure to keep this bird warm on the cold nights and watch her for signs of hypothermia (ruffled, lethargy, etc.). If she is roosting with the other birds at night, see that she is in the middle of the flock as having birds on either side will keep her warm. Boost the protein of her feed to at least 20% until she has a good covering of new feathers. Bulldogmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773653470602929019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-46034414604333483792017-01-22T08:07:24.637-05:002017-01-22T08:07:24.637-05:00Nice post that connects the SOP to real life obser...Nice post that connects the SOP to real life observations. Question: My hatchery BA, by all indications healthy, stopped producing the fall and appeared to start to molt at 43-44 weeks in January in the Northeast. Looks horrible, but eating well, full crop. They've been wormed. I hope this is just a very early, unseasonable molt. Neponianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17376794942984834609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-84857612161141021452016-06-27T11:52:36.364-04:002016-06-27T11:52:36.364-04:00It is not uncommon for hens to start trying out th...It is not uncommon for hens to start trying out the egg song as they get close to laying age. Also, in the absence of a rooster, sometimes hens will step in to make rooster noises. In fact, I have a hen that crows. LOL!Bulldogmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773653470602929019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-81106025721398749432016-06-26T20:23:42.829-04:002016-06-26T20:23:42.829-04:00I have 2 hens, both Black Australorps. Nearly 6 mo...I have 2 hens, both Black Australorps. Nearly 6 months old. A few weeks ago they started vocalising, frequently and loudly: growls and calling. Especially at sunrise. It's almost like having a rooster. Anyone noticed this trait in the breed?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-90254551166424636872016-02-06T11:40:05.264-05:002016-02-06T11:40:05.264-05:00After a move to a new location, a change in coops ...After a move to a new location, a change in coops or any other major "life events," hens will stop laying for a number of weeks until they adjust to the changes. Be patient. They should start laying again soon!Bulldogmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773653470602929019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-67659629625726230972016-02-05T17:54:30.649-05:002016-02-05T17:54:30.649-05:00We were given 5 black astrolorps .they are 1 year,...We were given 5 black astrolorps .they are 1 year,have never laid.they were given scraps.will they ever lay?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-46420210209402630942014-10-10T18:26:58.631-04:002014-10-10T18:26:58.631-04:00I have one BA, a fox got the other three. She'...I have one BA, a fox got the other three. She's grown big and pretty but has no waddle, comb is small, no bright red on face. Just black. Should I be worried about egg laying?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-41527193655914794102014-07-16T21:20:37.659-04:002014-07-16T21:20:37.659-04:00So glad you found Bee's article helpful! Best ...So glad you found Bee's article helpful! Best of luck with your Black Australorps!<br />LeighBulldogmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773653470602929019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-81369807288447203862014-07-16T21:08:12.232-04:002014-07-16T21:08:12.232-04:00Thanks for all the helpful information. We have 25...Thanks for all the helpful information. We have 25 chicks coming next week and I was researching what to do. :) Feel like I know what to look for now. ;)Alive in Christhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06098430215311031761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-60639876521063540462013-09-18T15:08:38.605-04:002013-09-18T15:08:38.605-04:00I got a good BA by mistake :D (She got in with my...I got a good BA by mistake :D (She got in with my Swedish Flower Hen group quite by accident). <br /><br />She was the ugly duckling baby - but she is a good young lady! May do more in the future but I'm with you - no more hatchery birds if possible!Leahs Momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-48992712248476613502013-09-15T17:01:31.498-04:002013-09-15T17:01:31.498-04:00I have Black Australorps and plan on adding to my ...I have Black Australorps and plan on adding to my flock by purchasing chicks from a breeder. I porbably won't buy hatchery chicks again, because the more I learn about the standard of perfection the less I like my current flock and want one that meets the standard. If more chicken people don't take these traits and bloodlines more seriously, the genetics will be lost forever. <br /><br />Ryan in TennesseeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-4699605566489290112012-12-16T16:50:38.903-05:002012-12-16T16:50:38.903-05:00I know I'm looking at BA's on my next addi...I know I'm looking at BA's on my next addition!<br /><br />LMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-19946571302164276002012-12-12T17:04:10.952-05:002012-12-12T17:04:10.952-05:00nice summary!!nice summary!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-62673007088412936082012-12-12T14:51:34.585-05:002012-12-12T14:51:34.585-05:00The BAs are my breed of choice, and I just sort of...The BAs are my breed of choice, and I just sort of 'lucked' into them. I researched the breed when I found out that's what my feed store had, and they 'sounded good to me'. After almost 3 years of having them, I have found even the hatchery mutts are delightful, make loads of pretty brown eggs and have a sweet, calm disposition. They forage actively, go broody and, incidentally make a fine meal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-32211096792399593522012-12-12T10:59:20.017-05:002012-12-12T10:59:20.017-05:00I'm with you, Vicki! I'll be looking into ...I'm with you, Vicki! I'll be looking into getting some BA chicks this spring.<br />LeighBulldogmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773653470602929019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934326041423690709.post-26673921563588044152012-12-12T10:46:19.757-05:002012-12-12T10:46:19.757-05:00I have never considered BA's. After reading th...I have never considered BA's. After reading this, it might be something looking into.<br /><br />VickiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com