Australorp

I have two 7-month olds, so this has been my limited experience. Both are from Mt. Healthy and were purchased at our local farm store.

Even as day old chicks, they were incredibly outgoing. Craved human attention. Loved to scream in their brooder until we came over and watched them eat/do chicky things. This hasn't changed much into adulthood. Very loud birds that lose their minds when we come to visit.

One has become slightly aggressive towards us, and the other aggressive towards our production red. This might diminish after their laying hormones settle, but it was disappointing in a breed that was described as "not having a mean bone in their body".

With a little help, they do fantastic in the heat of summer (90+) and brutal cold of winter (15F and below). They're beautiful meaty birds, and will lay us a lot of eggs.

I do have them confined in a 9x12 pen, and they do so-so. At times, they'll pace and food strike. So I strongly recommend at least a limited free-range setup to forage outside and relieve stress.

Not many breeds match the qualities of the Australorp, and I still consider them near perfect for most backyard flocks!

I have two Australorps in my flock. They are both very sweet and even though they are big, they are not bullies. They chase the silkies around a lot, but they don't peck them when they catch up to them. They were the last to lay in my flock - even the silkies laid earlier. I cannot let my chickens free range, I have a hawk issue; however, they have a 40x40 foot covered area, but, if you are free ranging, they are the bird to get - they look like a crow which is good to deter hawks.

Utility strains can thrive in low-density farm rations and in poor feeding better than any other breed or commercial hybrid. The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 is that Plymouth Rocks are more balanced, Mediterraneands forage best and NN are more disease resistant.