Australorp Rhode island red cross. Chicks !

[DepotMudilk]

Does anyone have experience with Australorp RIR cross? I've recently hatched 5 of these chicks under my broody and am interested in what kind of chicken they will be. The rooster was a RIR and hen Australorp. So far they are mostly all black. I would love to know about temperament, egg production, likelihood they could all be roosters? feather pattern etc if anyone has experience i would love to hear it!

 

[GitaBooks]

Adorable chicks!

I hope this helps: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/731758/rhode-island-red-australorp-cross-gender-new-pics

 

[Lady of McCamley]

All the chicks, as you've seen, will be black for both genders. You will have to wait for comb development to determine boys vs. girls, then secondary sex feathers for those who are harder to distinguish. RIR generally telecasts pretty early with combs for boys, so I think that will factor into this mix.

RIR is an excellent breed to increase egg production, and Australorp is also a good laying breed. While considered dual purpose, to a degree, neither will really produce a heavy meat carcass.

You will have excellent layers.

Temperament will depend upon your hen and roo.

RIR has not been my favorite breed, but I've only had hatchery quality. They tend to be noisy and aggressive. Since you've kept a roo, and didn't make complaint about him, I will assume he is a fairly decent fellow as many RIR roo's make it to the soup pot for aggressiveness...but some are really sweet.

Australorps tend to be docile hens, and can go broody, as you've seen with your broody girl (which appears to be your Australorp).

You should have pleasant, excellent layers, hardy birds.

Gender will become clearer around 4 to 6 weeks, with almost certaintly by 8 weeks...except perhaps for a few hold outs which leave you guessing.

My barnyard mixes tend to mature faster, as do most hybrids, so don't be thrown off by a precocious girl.

Congratulations on your new brood.

Lofmc

 

[DepotMudilk]

Thanks for the great information! I actually do not have a roo. My australorp went very broody so I decided to let her sit on eggs instead of trying to break her. I knew someone who had only 2 hens when the 1 turned out to be a male RIR & other female australorp. So I got some of their eggs and let my Australorp sit. (Unfortunately their australorp was killed a few days later by bobcat so it will be the last of that pair ) Their rooster is fairly nice but seems to hate men so I guess we'll just have to wait and see ! I have a female RIR & she's always had an attitude compared to other hens. Any idea if they will stay black or will they end up with some browns in there as well? I'm looking forward to see what this mix brings us

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thanks for the great information! I actually do not have a roo. My australorp went very broody so I decided to let her sit on eggs instead of trying to break her. I knew someone who had only 2 hens when the 1 turned out to be a male RIR & other female australorp. So I got some of their eggs and let my Australorp sit. (Unfortunately their australorp was killed a few days later by bobcat so it will be the last of that pair ) Their rooster is fairly nice but seems to hate men so I guess we'll just have to wait and see ! I have a female RIR & she's always had an attitude compared to other hens. Any idea if they will stay black or will they end up with some browns in there as well? I'm looking forward to see what this mix brings us

They might have a little red bleed through, but most likely they will just be black.

LofMc

 

[kristi83]

Look at that bleed threw, many of mine have the red in face but that one is prominent !

 

[Niki4003]

Look at that bleed threw, many of mine have the red in face but that one is prominent ! View attachment 1497714

Do you have any pictures of these chicks as mature hens/Roos? I’m hatching a couple and I’m pretty curious

 

[Mamatomany123]

Do you have any pictures of these chicks as mature hens/Roos? I’m hatching a couple and I’m pretty curious

I am not who you're responding to but I figure they would look kind of similar to mine except black. I have production blues which are rhode island reds and blue australorps. This is what they look like.

 

[HurricaneBelle]

I am not who you're responding to but I figure they would look kind of similar to mine except black. I have production blues which are rhode island reds and blue australorps. This is what they look like.

You’re chickens are beautiful!! Makes me want to get a couple Blues so I can mix with my RIR Roo.

 

[Mamatomany123]

You’re chickens are beautiful!! Makes me want to get a couple Blues so I can mix with my RIR Roo.

They're so friendly also. I love them.