The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Cjnewton82 on June 11, 2014, 05:26:52 pm

Title: Astralorp chickens
Post by: Cjnewton82 on June 11, 2014, 05:26:52 pm
After months of searching and a 8hr round trip in the car I have my Astralorps  1cock and 5hens they are soo lovely. I'm really looking forward breeding them they are such a lovely birds... Does anyone have any tips that work well with them??
Title: Re: Astralorp chickens
Post by: vfr400boy on June 12, 2014, 03:02:31 am
Hi I have no herd of them can you put a pic on ?
Title: Re: Astralorp chickens
Post by: Castle Farm on June 12, 2014, 08:17:00 am
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Utility-Poultry-Keepers/231571570247281 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Utility-Poultry-Keepers/231571570247281)


Free range is best. Go easy on the layers pellets.
Title: Re: Astralorp chickens
Post by: vfr400boy on June 13, 2014, 03:08:11 am
Thanks for the link , do they make good eating then ? And how meany eggs a year they lay thanks
Title: Re: Astralorp chickens
Post by: Cjnewton82 on June 13, 2014, 04:00:57 pm
they make great eating 6lb plus cock birds and they lay around 250 eggs per year. some people cross them with indian game hen for more breast meat to..
Title: Re: Astralorp chickens
Post by: Couttsb on June 27, 2014, 06:34:45 pm
They love free ranging and lay well though mine do have a tendency to make their own nest away from the nesting boxes! I live Aberdeenshire and have found them perfectly hardy. I had to breed them from hatching eggs bought from Ebay as I couldn't get hold of them either. I have had some BEAUTIFUL chicks from them when they have been crossed with other breeds and get loads of comments about them :-) Enjoy! :chook:
Title: Re: Astralorp chickens
Post by: Stereo on June 28, 2014, 08:16:25 pm
How do they compare to Ixworths in terms of meat? I've tried starting an Ixworth flock this year and have stuggled massively with poor hatch rates. Think I have about 10 birds out of 60 eggs. Also Ixworth eggs are not that inspiring to look at really.