2nd Batch (consisting of 2 chicks) - BO & EE / Ameracaunu

[cobbcruiser]

Ok, I got these two chicks about 6 weeks ago to replace those that ended up being roo's. Below are some pics. Let me know if you think they are roo's or pullets, and if the "grayish" one is an EE or Americauna. Thanks!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I think they are too young to sex, but the gray one is a EE, not an ameraucana.

 

[cobbcruiser]

ok, thanks - guess I might be on the hunt for a true ameracauna after I find out what these two are.

 

[my sunwolf]

Both pullets! The one is an EE, and her color pattern is classically female. And by 6 weeks, most of my BO roos had larger, redder combs, but I am not as good at sexing them.

 

[cobbcruiser]

Great! I was hoping for pullets. And I probably should have mentioned that I believed the BO to be a pullet. This chick was a replacement for a BO that I initially got a few months ago which turned out to be a roo. This chick looks much different: smaller comb, doesn't stand as erect, has a smaller / more rounded head, and just looks more... well, dainty, if that makes sense.

For the EE, I've read a couple of other comments similar to yours, HeartMoss Farm, that "her color pattern is classically female". Can you provide more details on what to look for / what this means? I haven't read what that pattern is, and am interested to know. Thanks!

 

[my sunwolf]

Great! I was hoping for pullets. And I probably should have mentioned that I believed the BO to be a pullet. This chick was a replacement for a BO that I initially got a few months ago which turned out to be a roo. This chick looks much different: smaller comb, doesn't stand as erect, has a smaller / more rounded head, and just looks more... well, dainty, if that makes sense.

For the EE, I've read a couple of other comments similar to yours, HeartMoss Farm, that "her color pattern is classically female". Can you provide more details on what to look for / what this means? I haven't read what that pattern is, and am interested to know. Thanks!

Hm, on color pattern:
• I would say that the "lionshead" and golden mane is female--but only when the gold is on both the head and the neck. Just the neck and I'd be worried it was male.
• No dark red splotches or patches anywhere. Males usually get these on the shoulders starting at 4 weeks onwards.
• Looks like a little bit of salmon color on the breast.
• Body coloring is soft, mellow, and continuous (no bright colors or splashes of color, low contrast).

Those qualities should also be judged against comb size, which in her case is very small.

So you judge sex based on all this info taken together

Which in her case definitely comes up pullet.

 

[cobbcruiser]

Thank you so much for the great info! I noticed you breed EE's so you must really like them (?)... The add in craigslist said Ameracauna, but I guess the person figured most regular folk wouldn't know the difference. But I think my EE is a pretty girl.

Off-topic curiosity question: why did you select EE as your choice to breed? I can guess based on several reasons, but wanted to hear it straight from someone who obviously enjoys the breed.

 

[my sunwolf]

Thank you so much for the great info! I noticed you breed EE's so you must really like them (?)... The add in craigslist said Ameracauna, but I guess the person figured most regular folk wouldn't know the difference. But I think my EE is a pretty girl.

Off-topic curiosity question: why did you select EE as your choice to breed? I can guess based on several reasons, but wanted to hear it straight from someone who obviously enjoys the breed.

I do have an obsession with EEs, but it helps that they're very popular around here. I love the color variety, their temperaments (some are a little standoffish but others are fairly friendly--mine have never been as friendly as my sex links, though), and of course the blue and green eggs. Colored eggs is probably my #1 reason, and I still get excited going out and seeing blues and greens and pinks in the nests. EEs are better production birds than Ameraucanas, meaning they will lay better for the first few years. They're also extremely hardy--so far mine don't really tend to get sick. My batches have not had cannibalism issues like some of the production reds I've raised, even under stressful weather conditions. There's no breed standard to maintain, which I think makes them an easy beginner bird.

However, I don't really like most of the EE roosters, and any ones I've kept have been very similar to Ameraucanas in appearance, so I just try to cover the EE flock with nonstandard Ameraucanas, which also makes sure we breed EE's off of the brown egg layers I have in the flock. Ameraucana roos also have better temperaments, EE roos tend to seem a little inexperienced, from the hatchery stock that I've had. Once I bred Ameraucanas back in, the resulting roos have been a lot nicer, with better colors (blue and black variations, which are my favorite).


Was that the kind of info you were wanting to know?

 

[cobbcruiser]

Yes, absolutely - more than I could have imagined, but very much appreciated. I'll not be breeding since I can't have a roo in my subdivision, but it's still good to know all the great info you provided. For my flock I wanted a sampling of birds, so I didn't get more than one of a breed. I had to give up my RIR since it turned out to be a roo :-( (he had the best personality of them all, and was always really excited to see his human family). Hopefully I can get another RIR (either production or heritage) in my flock. **** as long as they are pullets! ****