Another chicken question here: I'm thinking of getting Buff Orpingtons and Black Australorps, and I wonder what the second generation looks like when those two are crossed? I have one Black Australorp, and she's my favorite hen, and the first to start laying again after they all stopped due to stress. I've seen Buff Orps at a friend's place, and they're beautiful plus they will go broody and hatch their own eggs. That's why I'd like those two breeds. I'm just wondering if I should build a chicken tractor and keep the breeds separate, or just let them all run together. Wonder if the offspring would be some kind of sex link?

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), January 13, 2002

Answers

I believe they are cousins, so to speak. similar beginnings. I could see no problem with their crossing. The Australorps are usually dominant as far as looks go. I do not think you'd lose anything to let them cross. I had 25 brown egg layer specials and 25 black Australorps. they have crossed for 11 yrs, with a new-blood rooster put in when the reigning one dies of old age or whatever. I have reduced the # of hens to 10, but I have had some great ones, good layers past their prime and such.

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.

My wife's laying hens were Australorps, and Wyandottes. We picked up some Buffs for the kids to show. They were so gentle we kept them. The crossed chicks looked like a Buff with some black specks. There were also some black chicks. They were great layers.

-- bergy (bergy@psbnewton.com), January 13, 2002.