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.
I am going to tell you differently, Ameraucanas are different from other breeds. Because people are uneducated, they buy from craigslist or a hatchery, and they get EE. Then they turn around and sell them as Ameraucanas, either because they don't know better, or they are slimey con people who don't give a crap.
Listen to you own comment, "If it fits the standard, but is just the wrong color," Its impossible to fit the standard if it is the wrong color. If you are trying to breed to standard why have crappy birds that don't fit the standard.
I am not talking about project colors. If you have a black, blue, and splash, why the heck do you purposefully want to breed them to say a buff???? It does not make sense to me. The resulting bird is an Ameraucana someone purposely made that will not breed true, and will have color faults(ignore this if you are adding blacks to improve type). Therefore just the fact that it will not breed true makes it unusable for breeding. IMO. There are people out there that just want a pretty egg basket, there for they are buying an Easter Egger.
Another example would be, Blues. I want nice lacing on my birds. If they have edging that is barley discerned from the rest of the feather I don't keep it. I will sell it and label it Easter Egger and pet or barnyard quality. It is not fair to sell these mixed colored birds to someone who is hoping to show some day and breed.
I am sorry to seem b--tchy about it. I am just filled to the gills with people who seem to discount the hard work that goes into improving. So yeah if its not the right "color" its an EE. If its a project color its a project color.
I want to also add that people unintentionally make breedings that won't breed true, or crossing an EE with a pure AM. You could get a bird that fits the standard perfectly, but for all intensive purposes, it is still an EE.
I am working on lacing improvement in blues. I am out crossing to other breeds. I am making EE, until years from now, hopefully they will breed true. Then hopefully I will have nicely laced birds that will breed true, and will be Ameraucanas.
This reply is quite a rant, it is not intended to hurt feelings. I am sorry if it does. I am just very passionate about my chickens. I work very hard, and put in a lot of time.
I want people to improve the breed, not set it back, by breeding sub-par chickens!