Australorp Temperament Toward Humans?

[AmyJane725]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if you could give me your experience with Australorp personalities in regard to humans? I was under the impression they were supposed to be pretty friendly, but mine wants nothing to do with me. She's 9 weeks old. Will she mellow out as she gets older, or will she hate me forever?

Thanks,

~Amy

P.S. She's the biggest girl by far. Always has been. When she was a day old chick her nickname was "Biggest Girl". She's even bigger than the biggest boy who is the same age as she. She doesn't throw her weight around a whole lot with the other chickens, even though she's a monster compared to them. Her legs are so thick.

 

[N F C]

All the stories about their friendliness lead me to getting 3 of them a few years ago. None of mine were people friendly at all. I would say that each bird's personality is different in that regard.

 

[AmyJane725]

Anyone else have any insight?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Define what your view of a friendly chicken is please.

They are not puppies. They do not cuddle. They are a prey animal. That means they are very observant and wary.

I enjoy having Australorps in my flock. They tend to rank high in the pecking order and are good at keeping things mellow in the coop.
Mine will accept my presence without panicking and running away. A few will allow a touch but none want picked up or restrained.

 

[AmyJane725]

Define what your view of a friendly chicken is please.

They are not puppies. They do not cuddle. They are a prey animal. That means they are very observant and wary.

I enjoy having Australorps in my flock. They tend to rank high in the pecking order and are good at keeping things mellow in the coop.
Mine will accept my presence without panicking and running away. A few will allow a touch but none want picked up or restrained.

I define a friendly chicken as one that doesn't mind being held.

 

[ValerieJ]

My first Australorp hen, Shirl, was super sweet and friendly. She was started with 5 other chicks in a tote, moved to a crate and then out to the coop. But, last year I raised 3 inside a small coop in my garage until they were about 3 or 4 months old (can't remember exactly). I picked Australorps to add to my flock because of Shirl's temperament. Then I moved that coop out into an adjacent run to my other hens. Because I wasn't able to reach in and handle them very well, they are not friendly at all. They aren't mean, just don't want to be picked up. So I think it's all in how you raise them.

 

[AmyJane725]

My first Australorp hen, Shirl, was super sweet and friendly. She was started with 5 other chicks in a tote, moved to a crate and then out to the coop. But, last year I raised 3 inside a small coop in my garage until they were about 3 or 4 months old (can't remember exactly). I picked Australorps to add to my flock because of Shirl's temperament. Then I moved that coop out into an adjacent run to my other hens. Because I wasn't able to reach in and handle them very well, they are not friendly at all. They aren't mean, just don't want to be picked up. So I think it's all in how you raise them.

I've handled mine since day 2. I guess it's just her specific personality...

 

[N F C]

I've handled mine since day 2. I guess it's just her specific personality...

Agree. I got my 3 along with 16 other chicks and they were all raised the same. Any of the others were more people friendly than the 3 BA's I had.

 

[TomZilla43]

I have an Australorp hen in my flock, Dolly. She's probably my favorite of the breeds that I have and while I certainly wouldn't say that she's the friendliest, she is very tolerant, not very skitterish, and overall just a good calming force in the flock and she's probably the most consistent layer. I would recommend them as breed, that's just my experience and she's the only Aussie that I've had.

 

[AmyJane725]

I have an Australorp hen in my flock, Dolly. She's probably my favorite of the breeds that I have and while I certainly wouldn't say that she's the friendliest, she is very tolerant, not very skitterish, and overall just a good calming force in the flock and she's probably the most consistent layer. I would recommend them as breed, that's just my experience and she's the only Aussie that I've had.

So, they're not so much friendly in the snuggler sense, more in the not causing trouble with other birds sense?