Thanks! What kind of rabbits do you keep? We have a lionhead due with kits on thursday.
Because of something you see or because they came from a feed store?
Both. They aren't the right colors for pure Ameraucana chicks. Feed stores source from hatcheries. 99% of hatcheries do not have pure Ameraucana stock, they have Easter Eggers. A direct quote from Murray McMurray web page, "Our chicks have some Araucana and some Ameraucana blood mixed and consequently are not for show but are beautiful chickens known for their ability to lay colored eggs of shades varying from turquoise to deep olive to shades of brown." They openly acknowledge that they don't have pure stock and can't guarantee blue eggs.
That's helpful. Thank you!
Ameraucanas and Aracaunas are both breeds that lay blue eggs which are in the Standard of Perfection and accepted by the APA. Easter Eggers are hybrids that still contain the blue egg gene, but can lay blue, green, pink, or even yellow eggs due to the crosses. Many hatcheries sell "Ameraucanas" that are actually Easter Eggers. I suppose hatcheries are just sloppy with breeding and labeling. If they hatch an egg that was not brown or white, then it's an Ameraucana. Maybe they feel unprofessional if they label them as Easter Eggers. I honestly am not sure, just guessing.
