Ameraucana questions.

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Oh and I need an opinion on this one. GC says not an AM but the tiny ear tufts are confusing, and what's with that comb? Is this a BA pullet?
View attachment 4250549

Australorp
The tiny feathers in that area of the head seem to be common on ... most? All? Chickens. But harder to see on many

(I'm a poor photographer, and don't have many examples)
I attached a zoomed-in picture of a Splash Marans (hopefully it comes in clearly enough)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Okay thank you.

 

[hammyanne]

What's the opinion on Cackle Hatchery's Ameraucanas? Are they the real deal? I sure hope so, I just spent something like $27 per chick for a bunch of them. I've had my heart set on having true Ameraucanas for quite a while. I realize what I have is "hatchery quality" birds and probably not what I would get from a reputable breeder, but it's a start. And I'm reasonably certain they are not EE. They are all black. And the two cockerels are, to my eye at least, breathtaking.

I've read that Cackle's stock comes from reputable lines, but I think what it boils down to is their ability to do QC at scale. If you're able to find local breeders that might be the best way to ensure that you're getting healthy stock that's bred to standard. Ameraucanas are also prone to issues like cross-beak, so that's always another reason to consider where you're getting birds from!

I have Ameraucanas from hatcheries as well as from Steve Neumann and you can really tell the difference between the stock. Of course, I love both equally <3

 

[NatJ]

I tried to get pics of some of my Ams last night, but all I succeeded in doing was proving myself correct in saying that I am not a good photographer.

Brighter light often makes for clearer pictures, because the camera can use a shorter exposure, so there is less time for the camera or the chicken to wiggle (I know this is true for cameras that use actual film, but I am pretty sure it is also true for digital cameras too.)

So you might get clearer pictures if you can have more light. Of course daylight means they will not be sitting on their roost for easy picture taking, so then you have different problems to work around.

This is one of the best, I guess, she's pretty representative of the pullets. At least I think that's a pullet ...

I see muff/beard on the back one but not the front one in that picture.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I see muff/beard on the back one but not the front one in that picture.

Oops, you're right! We may not have banded that one, Melissa, my GC, was real good about making sure we didn't band any BA. Tonight I plan to go back out and count and be sure we didn't mis-mark any. Believe it or not I forgot to count as we went. These girls are real drama queens, the shrieking was a little ... um ... distracting, lol. It's so pitiful!!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

have Ameraucanas from hatcheries as well as from Steve Neumann and you can really tell the difference between the stock. Of course, I love both equally <3

First I've heard of Steve Neumann, do you have a link? Does he sell chicks? Eggs? Please tell me more! Where's he located?