Australorp Temperament Toward Humans?

[ChickenLady♡]

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?

I have a splash australorp (Australia) who is a gorgeous sweet girl and doesn't mind being picked up or held. I don't think many chickens really chose to be picked up (I'm sure it doesn't feel natural to them) but I think the point is whether or not they chose to spend time with you and don't scream blue murder if you do pick them up. Pretty much all of my (assorted) chickens are like that. They follow us around and go wherever we are in the yard.

I think it's important to note they probably won't REALLY like you until they are a bit more mature - near point of lay. Even my sweetest, most docile birds used to run a mile screaming when they were younger.

If you are spending some time with her everyday and she becomes familiar with you chances are she'll be a softer, sweeter girl in a few more months. I think australorps are fantastic.

 

[Ribh]

I had 2 BAs & a blue bantam & I would agree with the general consensus: They aren't flighty or people aggressive, just not cuddly. I would always choose to have a least one in a mixed flock as they are such calm, docile birds who are happy to hang out with me & such a calming influence on the flock in general ~ & they don't have a mickey fit when they do need to be handled. Several of my birds are Campines [super flighty] & having the Australorps has really helped with them as they are so high up the pecking order. None of mine are bullies. They leave that up to the BRs.

 

[HH.Wench]

The only friendly chicken i've owned was a blue Silkie. She would follow me and sit on my lap to be pet like a puppy. My Lavender Ameraucana are wild and flighty, and my SLW didnt want much to do with anyone.

 

[alexisrambles]

I have something like 6 different breeds of chicken, and the only friendly ones are a Whiting and a Cochin! The Cochin is verging on cuddly. She loves to hunker down on your lap and be petted. She'll even climb up there herself at 13 weeks when most of them are still terrified of me.

That being said, the Australorp does like to be... near-ish to me. She just doesn't like to be touched.

 

[Trevorusn]

One of my wife's relatives has among his extensive and varied poultry assortment several Australorps, including 3 roos. Each roo is quite different. The biggest is calm and will chill next to you in a very relaxed manner. The middle one is a bit jumpy around people, always wary and not exactly the warmest fellow. The smallest of the 3 you barely notice, very quiet and non offensive. However, all 3 share the same trait, they will stay near you, even the middle one after a bit, but not jump into your lap. The previous posts are pretty spot on, they are quite calm an friendly enough but certainly not lapbirds.