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Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds - Page 1478

post #14771 of 20053
2/22/12 at 5:41am

Beautiful birds! I am a complete newbie here, trying to decide whether to buy 5 (the maximum allowed in my town) Black Australorps, 5 Silver Laced Wyandottes, or maybe 5 Ameracaunas. I want beautiful hens with a high egg laying capability, acceptable as an eating/meat bird when they are done laying, social and friendly and easy to keep.

 

In the reading I've done I keep seeing that Ameracaunas are great chickens, hardy, good layers, and really pretty. I can admit that I am very excited about getting those blue-green eggs, too. Are there other reasons you think I should go with Ameracaunas as my final choice? This looks like the right place to discuss the qualities and negatives of that breed!

 

Thank you,

Indiana Ima

 

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post #14772 of 20053
2/22/12 at 7:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Indiana Ima View Post

Beautiful birds! I am a complete newbie here, trying to decide whether to buy 5 (the maximum allowed in my town) Black Australorps, 5 Silver Laced Wyandottes, or maybe 5 Ameracaunas. I want beautiful hens with a high egg laying capability, acceptable as an eating/meat bird when they are done laying, social and friendly and easy to keep.

 

In the reading I've done I keep seeing that Ameracaunas are great chickens, hardy, good layers, and really pretty. I can admit that I am very excited about getting those blue-green eggs, too. Are there other reasons you think I should go with Ameracaunas as my final choice? This looks like the right place to discuss the qualities and negatives of that breed!

 

Thank you,

Indiana Ima

 




Ameraucana fan checking in here and yes, I am very biased. 

You want Wheaten Ameraucana because they

  •  breed true
  • are lovely
  • sweet natured
  • have a pea comb which is good for our midwestern winters
  • are fluffy enough for our midwestern winters without added heat in a good coop
  • lay beautiful and good sized eggs
  • are reliable layers

 

Just this breeder's very biased opnion

by the waywelcome-byc.gif

 

 

 

I love Chillin' With My Peeps - makes me happy!
Mother Hen to 1 geritatric Cat, 1 rescued (dumb as a box of rocks) Golden Retriever,  a flock of Cute-as-a-button Ameraucana Wheaten Large Fowl feathered friends, and 1 perfect husband/best friend.
Ameraucana Breeders Club
State of Illinois Certified NPIP Pullorum Tester

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I love Chillin' With My Peeps - makes me happy!
Mother Hen to 1 geritatric Cat, 1 rescued (dumb as a box of rocks) Golden Retriever,  a flock of Cute-as-a-button Ameraucana Wheaten Large Fowl feathered friends, and 1 perfect husband/best friend.
Ameraucana Breeders Club
State of Illinois Certified NPIP Pullorum Tester

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post #14773 of 20053
2/22/12 at 8:45am

My wheaten ameraucana pullets have started to lay!!!!! wee.gif

Had to share!

 

 

egs1.jpg

 

wheaten + lav ameraucanas, wheaten marans, OE, exchequer leghorn, barbanter and silkie

eggs4.jpg

 

 

 

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post #14774 of 20053
2/22/12 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phage View Post

My wheaten ameraucana pullets have started to lay!!!!! wee.gif

Had to share!

 

 

egs1.jpg

 

wheaten + lav ameraucanas, wheaten marans, OE, exchequer leghorn, barbanter and silkie

eggs4.jpg

 

 

 


Beautiful eggs from spoiled hens!cool.png
 

 

Member Cochins International, Ameraucana Breeders Club, American Brahma Club.

 

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Member Cochins International, Ameraucana Breeders Club, American Brahma Club.

 

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post #14775 of 20053
2/22/12 at 9:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Indiana Ima View Post

Beautiful birds! I am a complete newbie here, trying to decide whether to buy 5 (the maximum allowed in my town) Black Australorps, 5 Silver Laced Wyandottes, or maybe 5 Ameracaunas. I want beautiful hens with a high egg laying capability, acceptable as an eating/meat bird when they are done laying, social and friendly and easy to keep.

 

In the reading I've done I keep seeing that Ameracaunas are great chickens, hardy, good layers, and really pretty. I can admit that I am very excited about getting those blue-green eggs, too. Are there other reasons you think I should go with Ameracaunas as my final choice? This looks like the right place to discuss the qualities and negatives of that breed!

 

Thank you,

Indiana Ima

 



I would recommend heritage Delawares. Ameraucanas aren't the best dual purpose bodied, and they aren't the greatest layers either. I consider mine more of an "ornamental" chicken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Give back.  

 

*Happy Mtn Farm---------> Goose and Fig (work in progress) 

    

  

 

Reply

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Give back.  

 

*Happy Mtn Farm---------> Goose and Fig (work in progress) 

    

  

 

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post #14776 of 20053
2/22/12 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dak View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by Phage View Post

My wheaten ameraucana pullets have started to lay!!!!! wee.gif

Had to share!

 

 

egs1.jpg

 

wheaten + lav ameraucanas, wheaten marans, OE, exchequer leghorn, barbanter and silkie

eggs4.jpg

 

 

 


Beautiful eggs from spoiled hens!cool.png
 

 



Gorgeous! love.gif Love those olive ones, especially!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Give back.  

 

*Happy Mtn Farm---------> Goose and Fig (work in progress) 

    

  

 

Reply

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Give back.  

 

*Happy Mtn Farm---------> Goose and Fig (work in progress) 

    

  

 

Reply
post #14777 of 20053
2/22/12 at 9:54am


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyMtn View Post



I would recommend heritage Delawares. Ameraucanas aren't the best dual purpose bodied, and they aren't the greatest layers either. I consider mine more of an "ornamental" chicken.

 


I agree with HappyMtn.   ON the other hand I have found that easter eggers are more productive, docile,very colorful and can be quite large depending on the origin.  Of course they are not a breed but a mix of breeds. Go to their thread to research them. 

 

Say what you mean, mean what you say, but do not say it meanly.

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Say what you mean, mean what you say, but do not say it meanly.

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post #14778 of 20053
2/22/12 at 9:59am

Right- EEs lay WAY better. And if you can't have roosters, you can get EEs form a hatchery and just order girls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Give back.  

 

*Happy Mtn Farm---------> Goose and Fig (work in progress) 

    

  

 

Reply

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Give back.  

 

*Happy Mtn Farm---------> Goose and Fig (work in progress) 

    

  

 

Reply
post #14779 of 20053
2/22/12 at 10:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by flower View Post


 


I agree with HappyMtn.   ON the other hand I have found that easter eggers are more productive, docile,very colorful and can be quite large depending on the origin.  Of course they are not a breed but a mix of breeds. Go to their thread to research them. 

 


OK true.

The breast meat is lacking in abundance.

Gee you two!  Talk about taking the wind out of my sailth.gif

I still love 'em thoughlove.gif

 

I love Chillin' With My Peeps - makes me happy!
Mother Hen to 1 geritatric Cat, 1 rescued (dumb as a box of rocks) Golden Retriever,  a flock of Cute-as-a-button Ameraucana Wheaten Large Fowl feathered friends, and 1 perfect husband/best friend.
Ameraucana Breeders Club
State of Illinois Certified NPIP Pullorum Tester

Reply

I love Chillin' With My Peeps - makes me happy!
Mother Hen to 1 geritatric Cat, 1 rescued (dumb as a box of rocks) Golden Retriever,  a flock of Cute-as-a-button Ameraucana Wheaten Large Fowl feathered friends, and 1 perfect husband/best friend.
Ameraucana Breeders Club
State of Illinois Certified NPIP Pullorum Tester

Reply
post #14780 of 20053
2/22/12 at 11:30am

I am thinking I should maybe be a lot more specific about what I think I want and need:

I want good layers but they don't have to be the best layers ever. They have to be good at laying, VERY good with children, good with me, and a decent dinner* someday when they're done laying! I want a breed that isn't picky, so I can get rid of table and cooking scraps. I want a breed that doesn't blink (or completely stop laying) at a south-central Indiana winter. And if I can have all of that and still have a choice, I want a pretty chicken that lays a large, pretty egg.

 

*decent dinner means I don't expect to turn them all into big roast chickens on a fancy platter. Casseroles, soup, soup stock, pot pies, it's all good. I just don't want to look at the carcass and wonder what's the point of even trying!

 

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Chicken Breeds › Breeds, Genetics, & Showing › Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds