Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[BarnGoddess01]

I know, I figured that. I won't know until their almost a year old right?

I'm hoping y'all will help me when the time comes. This is my very first experience with anything like this. I have so much to learn. I'd like to do everything right and learn as much as I possibly can.

You guys are the experts that have the most experience and knowledge.

Nicole, you can usually tell what isn't going to make it as SQ a lot sooner than what might make a good show bird. Sometimes, even at a year, you have/had a bird you thought had great potential but something appears that changes that.

But for 4-H and Juniors, I encourage you to get your kids out and show - even the "junk". They can learn about showmanship, how to handle and prepare birds, and so much more - and, hopefully, make some new friends. A lot of times, they all get to take home a ribbon even if they don't have the best bird. It's a fabulous opportunity for learning and growth.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

My girls free range wayyy further then my boys

Not mine. My boys stick very close to their ladies. I have 5 acres, unfenced. (Fenced in places for horses but that doesn't stop the chickens.) Don't worry a bit about them leaving. Worry LOADS about the "stuff" that wanders in, however.

 

[Nicole01]

Oh, yeah. We have dogs that come into our yard frequently, especially on the weekends. This is another reason for our fence.

Everyone here is excited about showing our chickens. We've been talking about buying show chickens for over a year now. We finally are starting out. I absolutely fell in love with the Pure Ameracuana breeds. Especially after I got my Easter eggers last year from the hatchery. I've found out that many people argue that Easter eggers are in fact Ameraucana's. That's a bit frustrating I think.

I bought my incubator on Aug 2nd of this year as my birthday present. So far my hatching has gone well for a beginner.. My set last week all hatched, but one chick died after it hatched in the incubator. I'm giving away those Easter eggers for free and they are going to their new home tomorrow. I never expected someone to misrepresent this breed and play me for a fool.(hatching eggs bought from another online site, not here) They were listed as blue and black Ameraucana's and were not cheap!

I also think 4-H is a great place to start. I'm sure we will learn a lot. I've already learned a lot of information from you guys and I'm very grateful for this.

I have a few more pipped eggs about to hatch. They are half cracked(I think this called being zipped).

Anyways, thank you again, every one of you.

 

[aoxa]

Not mine. My boys stick very close to their ladies. I have 5 acres, unfenced. (Fenced in places for horses but that doesn't stop the chickens.)  Don't worry a bit about them leaving. Worry LOADS about the "stuff" that wanders in, however. :/

My boys follow my ladies also, but it's the girls that wander and the boys are the innocent ones lol

Mine don't go far. They did go in my neighbour's yard to eat their spilled bird feed, so we fenced all down that side of the yard. They would have to travel an acre along the fence to get around. None have done it yet. Hope it stays that way. The neighbours never complained, but it was inevitable. The ones doing it were my teenagers, and they were just starting to crow

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Had an experienced breeder and exhibitor of poultry stop by to check out my stock today. He actually wanted to buy Gene and his sister, Kelly. But they aren't for sale so he had to settle for the promise of some hatching eggs in the spring. But it was nice validation for me that I'm on the right track with my Ameraucanas. He really did seem quite taken with Gene in particular.

 

[chickchickchiky]

...

I'm thrilled that these are not Easter eggers like my last 4 I hatched 5 days ago that were sold to me as pure bred Ameracuana's.(on a different online site)
Also, I'm looking to hatch another set from a reputable breeder. I need to do my research first. I really do want nice birds for my girls to show.[/quote

Yay congratulations!!!! Finally some good news for you! My silkies should be hatching this Friday

 

[Nicole01]

...

I'm thrilled that these are not Easter eggers like my last 4 I hatched 5 days ago that were sold to me as pure bred Ameracuana's.(on a different online site)
Also, I'm looking to hatch another set from a reputable breeder. I need to do my research first. I really do want nice birds for my girls to show.[/quote

Yay congratulations!!!! Finally some good news for you! My silkies should be hatching this Friday

Good luck with your hatch! So far I have 3 fully hatched and 7 pipped. I'm not sure if they will all make it, but I sure hope so!

 

[DMRippy]

I found chicks in the bator this afternoon.

Was not expecting that. Everyone was fine even with the low humidity. 100% hatch too

I got 6 more wheatens and 5 Lavenders and 2 splits. That is my best hatch of Lavenders yet. Usually I get more splits than lavs. Well needless to say, I set more eggs today

 

[just2rosey]

I came home from vacation two weeks ago to find my blue Ameraucana hen had gone broody because my Sister-in-law forgot to gather eggs while I was gone. That hen was setting on about two dozen eggs, so many that they were falling out of the nest box and onto the floor. I candled and sorted the egg, left sev.eral under her and put the rest in the incubator. Well they hatched out the last couple of days four purbred ameraucana chicks and three White Leghorn X Ameraucana.

My blue hen is not the prettiest blue, but she is the best Ameraucana layer I have, and she is a very good mother. The leghorn x chicks are really cute! I hope to add a couple of pullets from that cross to my laying flock.

Do you think they will develop slate legs later?

 

[DMRippy]

I came home from vacation two weeks ago to find my blue Ameraucana hen had gone broody because my Sister-in-law forgot to gather eggs while I was gone. That hen was setting on about two dozen eggs, so many that they were falling out of the nest box and onto the floor. I candled and sorted the egg, left sev.eral under her and put the rest in the incubator. Well they hatched out the last couple of days four purbred ameraucana chicks and three White Leghorn X Ameraucana.

My blue hen is not the prettiest blue, but she is the best Ameraucana layer I have, and she is a very good mother. The leghorn x chicks are really cute! I hope to add a couple of pullets from that cross to my laying flock.

Do you think they will develop slate legs later?

I hatch that cross all the time! They make great layers you are going to love them. There are pics in my SBEL link in my siggy. They all are white with black leakage.