Ameraucana or EE? And gender

[Sphinx]

I have this chick that is approximately 12 weeks old. The breeder I got it from had separated into breeding pens about 12 days prior to this egg being laid, so it's possible it's a mutt or a purebred. The comb is what has me thrown- I know that in wyandottes, two purebred, show quality parents can still throw the occasional straight comb. Does the same hold true for an ameraucana? I don't see EE evidence other than the straight comb. In the background of the picture, you can see a little cockerel that's 3 weeks younger, and the comb and wattles SCREAM boy. But the lavender? Not so much.


Here's a picture of the face.



Photobombing in this picture is another obvious cockerel of the same age as the chick in question. I can't quite call the lavender a pullet though, and would love to hear your opinions.

 

[Stacykins]

The lack of a muffs and beard in the lavender bird makes me think she is an EE, rather than a purebred Ameraucana. Those should be present in an Ameraucana, and is not something easily bred out at all, being dominant traits.

I am guessing girl on the lavender as well.

 

[hdowden]

does this chick have a beard??

 

[Pele]

Several generations mutt. Beards are a dominant trait, so this is more than just a one time oopsie.

 

[Sphinx]

No, I'm sure this is at least 1/2 Lav. Am. There is a bit of a beard, not the biggest I've seen, but definitely present. I think it's at that weird stage where it kind of isn't obvious to see. I've had several lav americauanas, and they all went through a period (maybe juvenile molt?) at some point where the beard wasn't as obvious.




ETA: The hatching eggs were NOT sold to me as purebred eggs- she gave them to me for free for a school hatch, and gave me the caveat that the blue eggs may not be purebred. The other two seem to be, but I'm not sure.

I have some purebred, show quality (maybe?) lavs in my other pen, and this particular chick is gong to live with my SIL if it is a girl. I'm just curious about the feedback.



So, to sum up: it's impossible for two lav ams to throw a straight comb? Is that the consensus?

 

[hdowden]

so im not the only one who doesnt see a beard ok just making sure lol my guess is the seller has mixed birds (making them ee's) and selling them as pure breeds instead of ee's i would contact the seller and see what they have to say about the chick being beardless and having a straight comb

 

[hdowden]

all my bearded chicks have always shown a beard at every stage :-/

 

[willowbranchfarm]

I'm thinking pullet

 

[Stacykins]

all my bearded chicks have always shown a beard at every stage :-/

Yes, beards and muffs are very obvious, from the day the chicks hatch and as they mature. The chicken in question does not have a beard and never will.

 

[Pele]

Mine too Hdowden. It takes more than one crossing to chase out dominant stuff like pea combs and beards. It's unlikely that bird will lay blue or green eggs either ( vaguely possible, but unlikely).