ChurchsChickens
In the Brooder
Hi all!
I just joined this community, looking for some information on an aggressive Australorp...
I JUST received my four (4) backyard chickens - on Wednesday, 4.27.2022. I purchased my girls from someone local that raised chicks, so I didn't have to deal with that whole process...
I have a black Australorp, a Silver Laced Wyandotte, a Barred Plymouth Rock, and an Easter Egger.
The chicks were about 6 weeks of age, according to the .. breeder? Hatcher? Raiser? Sorry, not sure what to call the individual. Supposedly, my four were raised together, with the intention of them being a little backyard flock together. They're supposedly on their 7th week this week (week of 5/1).
When the girls came home, the Easter Egger was pretty pecked raw in the saddle area - no blood, thank goodness, and the breeder did alert me of the issue, telling me to keep an eye on her. I was out of town for the first few days the girls were home, leaving my house human to tend to them, and he mentioned the Australorp being "so mean" - chasing and pecking the other birds, but nothing too serious. The Australorp is significantly larger than the other three gals, so we chalked it up to being top of the pecking order / most dominant chicky lady.
On Sunday 5/1, the Australorp attacked the Wyandotte, picking it up in a way a dog would with a toy, and shaking it back and forth by the neck. The poor Wyandotte made a horrible noise, and couldn't stand for a few moments. I didn't see the entire kerfuffle, but I assumed something had happened to her leg. I inspected the Wyandotte, and she seemed okay, but we've been on alert regarding the Australorp's behavior since this incident.
Today (Monday, 5/2) the Australorp has been fluttering around the enclosure, almost trying to grab the other chickens in its talons from above.
I was under the impression that Australorps are on the friendlier side, so we're quite upset by this bird's behavior.
I messaged the breeder, and they said there's the chance the bird is actually a cockerel (saying that Austrolorps can be difficult to tell until they're about 2 months old). They're willing to swap out the bird for us (we cannot have roosters on our lot).
Any insight on the gender of this bird, or its aggression?
Thank you!
I just joined this community, looking for some information on an aggressive Australorp...
I JUST received my four (4) backyard chickens - on Wednesday, 4.27.2022. I purchased my girls from someone local that raised chicks, so I didn't have to deal with that whole process...
I have a black Australorp, a Silver Laced Wyandotte, a Barred Plymouth Rock, and an Easter Egger.
The chicks were about 6 weeks of age, according to the .. breeder? Hatcher? Raiser? Sorry, not sure what to call the individual. Supposedly, my four were raised together, with the intention of them being a little backyard flock together. They're supposedly on their 7th week this week (week of 5/1).
When the girls came home, the Easter Egger was pretty pecked raw in the saddle area - no blood, thank goodness, and the breeder did alert me of the issue, telling me to keep an eye on her. I was out of town for the first few days the girls were home, leaving my house human to tend to them, and he mentioned the Australorp being "so mean" - chasing and pecking the other birds, but nothing too serious. The Australorp is significantly larger than the other three gals, so we chalked it up to being top of the pecking order / most dominant chicky lady.
On Sunday 5/1, the Australorp attacked the Wyandotte, picking it up in a way a dog would with a toy, and shaking it back and forth by the neck. The poor Wyandotte made a horrible noise, and couldn't stand for a few moments. I didn't see the entire kerfuffle, but I assumed something had happened to her leg. I inspected the Wyandotte, and she seemed okay, but we've been on alert regarding the Australorp's behavior since this incident.
Today (Monday, 5/2) the Australorp has been fluttering around the enclosure, almost trying to grab the other chickens in its talons from above.
I was under the impression that Australorps are on the friendlier side, so we're quite upset by this bird's behavior.
I messaged the breeder, and they said there's the chance the bird is actually a cockerel (saying that Austrolorps can be difficult to tell until they're about 2 months old). They're willing to swap out the bird for us (we cannot have roosters on our lot).
Any insight on the gender of this bird, or its aggression?
Thank you!
