Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Cats Cradle]

Sorry, but s/he's an EE. His/her legs are green and not the slate blue they should be. Going by the comb, I am guessing it's a he, but the legs make me thing pullet. Hackles look pointy, but it's hard to tell on white. I am no expert, for sure.

I think I am SLOWLY starting to get this EE thing.

The person who posted the pics said the legs were blue... they do look a tad green on my screen, but I know that is one of those colors that is hard to tell from a photo, esp since it will look different on different monitors. For the moment, I'll assume the legs do have a green tint. I believe the correct term is "willow."

My understanding is that willow is a combination of yellow skin plus dermal pigmentation on the legs. Since yellow skin is recessive, the bird would have two copies of the yellow gene w/w. If so, the soles of the feet would be yellow. Yellow soles is a DQ for showing Ameraucana, so that is why the bird is being labeled an EE. Further, even if this bird was perfect in every other way, if it was bred it would pass that rececssive yellow gene to all of its offspring, and recessive genes are a real pain to get rid of because they hide and tend to keep popping up. (It can be done with a bunch of test matings, but its a pain.)

Here's the thing that still drives me nuts about the EE thing. Assuming that a bird's only fault is it's leg color, then it's parents could be lovely Ameraucana's that both happen to carry a recessive gene. In dogs, champion parents make pet quality pups all the time (many of which are labeled such because of a wrong color) and no one says the pup isn't purebred.

So... fallenleeves... is there a green tint to your birds legs, or are we confused by the color on our monitors? And does your bird have yellow soles to it's feet? Remember, since yellow is recessive, both of your birds parents could have the correct leg color. If the lady that bred them is a new breeder and still learning she may not even know her birds carry the recessive gene. If you had the impression she was trying to breed for quality you might let her know what popped up so she can learn too.

OK experts... feel free to pop in and correct if I got anything wrong! I want to learn!

 

[Cats Cradle]

Thanks for the opinions! Her legs aren't green at all either ... more of a light grey/blue than green but the florescent lighting does make them seem a bit greenish ...
I'll take better photos today if it helps Just curious to see if she fits the bill is all!

You posted this while I was writing my "book." I thought it might be a photo thing!

I'm very new at this myself, but my understanding is the soles will be yellow if she has willow legs.

In any case, I think she's very pretty! (But that's not a comment on how she stacks up as an Ameraucana... you'll have to wait for the experts on that.)

 

[fallenleeves]

You posted this while I was writing my "book." I thought it might be a photo thing!

I'm very new at this myself, but my understanding is the soles will be yellow if she has willow legs.

In any case, I think she's very pretty! (But that's not a comment on how she stacks up as an Ameraucana... you'll have to wait for the experts on that.)

Hahaa maybe!
I will check to see what color the soles are as well, thank you

I'm pretty new as well, but ANY comments are much appreciated ... there's so much to learn!

 

[CloverdaleFarms]

Always willing to share what I know.Surgery tomorrow so I will be absent for awhile.

I hope everything goes well. we have been praying for you and will continue to do so!

 

[NCSprout]

Here's the thing that still drives me nuts about the EE thing. Assuming that a bird's only fault is it's leg color, then it's parents could be lovely Ameraucana's that both happen to carry a recessive gene. In dogs, champion parents make pet quality pups all the time (many of which are labeled such because of a wrong color) and no one says the pup isn't purebred.

seems like a lot of people label even pure Ameraucanas as EE because they aren't show quality. If that is the case there are many silvers and buffs that aren't Amerauncanas

 

[Arctic Chick]

seems like a lot of people label even pure Ameraucanas as EE because they aren't show quality. If that is the case there are many silvers and buffs that aren't Amerauncanas

The more people who do not have "Ameraucanas" the higher the demand for the "real deal" Ameraucanas. Not only that, people are working on many project colors in Ameraucanas and I have seen them sell these "project Ameraucana" as Real Ameraucanas. Just because it is not the standard color, does not make it an EE, lol. It just is an Ameraucana that is not of standard color. This would mean Self Blue/Lavender, Buff, Splash, ect. are really EEs to some, but it does not make sense to call a duck a chicken.
If it fits the standard, but is just the wrong color, it is still an Ameraucana, don't let anyone tell you different.

 

[Arctic Chick]

Thank you DMRippy!!! I am so happy to be here and possibly contribute to such a fine breed of poultry and mingle with such an awesome bunch of crazy chicken ppl like myself!

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

Now this even I can understand, it's logical and most of all makes sense to me. Or if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck but the wrong color don't call it a chicken.

 

[Goose and Fig]

So would you can call an Orpington a Plymouth Rock with white legs? Of course not.

100% pure ameraucana parents or not, if I hatch a bird from my Ams with green legs or a clean face, I sell it as an EE. Part of being devoted to a breed is understanding the faults and knowing what NOT to breed.

The great thing about being Ameraucana breeders is that we know how to talk about this kind of stuff without getting all offended and crying to the mods or sending out nasty PMs.

 

[Tailfeathers]

If it fits the standard, but is just the wrong color, it is still an Ameraucana, don't let anyone tell you different.

Sorry, but this is hogwash. There are so many reasons but I just don't have the time to go into it all - again. Look back a few pages and I commented briefly on this subject already. Specifically about the genetics being a determinative factor. Moreover, what is with this "don't let anybody tell you different"?

IMO, that's about the worse advice anyone can ever give. My advice... talk to the experts. Do your homework and be humble enough to learn about the breed! Learn the History. Learn from those who put so much time, effort, expense, dedication, and commitment into the breed. One of the great things about the Ameraucana is that it is a fairly new BREED. Not just variety but breed. One should start with a little understanding of what the foundation was for the criteria in calling an Ameraucana an Ameraucana.

God Bless,