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They do seem to be more sensitive to the shortening days than some other breeds. My pullets always end up molting if they are over 8 months old when fall comes. They also tend to need a higher protein diet than what most layer feeds offer, so if you've switched to layer feed, that may also be a...

Very normal behavior for molting hens. All those pin feathers can be quite tender. She doesn't anybody too close because it's uncomfortable. It can make even the most mild-mannered hen grouchy.

I've found that they need to be kept on a high protein feed for them to mature in a timely fashion. Switching to layer feed too soon or offering too many extras can really slow down their development dramatically. I've never had one that took more than 26 weeks to start, and that was in the...

Hatching Easter Eggers is really addicting. Every time an egg is laid, I just can't help but wonder what grab bag of genetics is residing inside that shell.

Penciling, not lacing. Her hackles are rimmed in gold base color, not the blue.

The gene for Silkie feathering is recessive, so it takes at least two generations of breeding to get Silkied Easter Eggers.

Last count, I had about 20...

Cushion/walnut comb, which means he's got both pea and rose comb genes so odds of him having a blue shell gene are pretty good. He's Birchen, so expect lots of black chicks from him. Also looks like he might be pure for silver. Only way to know what his egg color genes are like is to breed him...

Those are pin feathers. There are brand new feathers in those sheaths. Completely normal.

Honestly, can't give you an exact number. Breed them, working on a larger sized bird while maintaining laying ability. Most cockerels are food for the family. Pullets that don't fit with my breeding goals are sold. Got somewhere around 30 right now, but that's just a guess. Got a few more...

And you never know just how those Easter Egger chicks will turn out. I've been breeding and hatching them for 3 years now and I still get surprises.

Yes.

I'm at the point in my breeding project to start selecting for egg color. Wondering whether I should go for greens or blues. Greens- Blues (ignore the green on the right)-

Humidity is the hardest part of incubating. There is no magic number that will be perfect universally. It's a lot of trial and error to figure it out. I recommend starting with it at about 40% for the first week, then candle, mark the air cells, and make adjustments from there.

The lethal gene in Araucana is the same gene that causes tufts. No tufts in the parents, means no lethal gene. It's completely different from the muffed/beard gene. Sounds more like a humidity issue during incubation.

Yep. One boy, one girl.

When it's hot, they eat less. Layer feed has just barely enough protein for egg production. A higher protein feed helps keep them producing through hot weather.

Genetic mutation. Happens even in the best of Ameraucana lines, many BBS breeders struggle with this popping up. It's not the same thing as the feathered legs of Marans or other breeds.

White/grey. You've got a Splash Ameraucana. That's an Easter Egger.

Looks like a Splash Ameraucana to me. What color are the undersides of her feet?