Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Deb B]

Oiy! I guess I'll have to be on the lookout for some Wheaten pullets.

I bought 4 straight run Marans at the same time and it's looking from comb development that 3 of the 4 are cockerels. Thus, my husband's pessimistic prediction that 5 of my 6 chics are roos may actually come true!

 

[kaybee123]

Oiy! I guess I'll have to be on the lookout for some Wheaten pullets. I bought 4 straight run Marans at the same time and it's looking from comb development that 3 of the 4 are cockerels. Thus, my husband's pessimistic prediction that 5 of my 6 chics are roos may actually come true!

Tell him he jinxed you and needs to predict more chicks next time.

 

[kaybee123]

Lol. Females

 

[kaybee123]

Lol. Females

 

[aghiowa]

Hi everyone! My daughter and I have been raising and showing chickens for 3 years now, and I finally settled down on a breed. I purchased a nearby entire flock of black Ameraucanas (love my blue hen I've had for years!) and am going to take the plunge into breeding (only purchased birds before this). I'm starting from a pretty good place - 3 hens, 4 promising pullets, 1 cock, 1 great-looking cockerel (and 4 bound for freezer-camp cockerels), and about 40-odd chicks in the growing out phase. Several of the older birds have won Grand or Reserve AOSB in previous years. My roo's carriage is a bit too upright, but the new cockerel is looking better in that respect. Evidently someone in the flock is throwing a cuckoo gene around, but I'm not sure who. Will try to cull for color, after type.

Just thought I'd introduce myself, and subscribe to the thread. My goal is to cull down to 2 or 3 trios, overwinter with a small number, and start with one hatch a year (probably December?), growing out the chicks through summer and fall. I've got 2 generations now, so will go mother/son or father/daughter for my first try this winter, right?

I am looking for some good basic breeding information. Does anyone have a book or website(s) that they can recommend for the first-time serious breeder? I live in an urban area, so are only allowed 6 hens (I may stretch that number at times), but luckily have friends & family willing to host my roos and chicks. I just don't have a lot of wiggle room (can't breed like crazy) so I want to be sure I'm doing it smart.

Thanks in advance!

Angela

 

[HaplessRunner]

I would be interested in this information too! Good question, Angela. I am starting out as well. I have black ameraucanas and wheaten/blue wheaten ameraucanas, as well as other breeds.

 

[delisha]

Hi everyone! My daughter and I have been raising and showing chickens for 3 years now, and I finally settled down on a breed. I purchased a nearby entire flock of black Ameraucanas (love my blue hen I've had for years!) and am going to take the plunge into breeding (only purchased birds before this). I'm starting from a pretty good place - 3 hens, 4 promising pullets, 1 cock, 1 great-looking cockerel (and 4 bound for freezer-camp cockerels), and about 40-odd chicks in the growing out phase. Several of the older birds have won Grand or Reserve AOSB in previous years. My roo's carriage is a bit too upright, but the new cockerel is looking better in that respect. Evidently someone in the flock is throwing a cuckoo gene around, but I'm not sure who. Will try to cull for color, after type.

Just thought I'd introduce myself, and subscribe to the thread. My goal is to cull down to 2 or 3 trios, overwinter with a small number, and start with one hatch a year (probably December?), growing out the chicks through summer and fall. I've got 2 generations now, so will go mother/son or father/daughter for my first try this winter, right?

I am looking for some good basic breeding information. Does anyone have a book or website(s) that they can recommend for the first-time serious breeder? I live in an urban area, so are only allowed 6 hens (I may stretch that number at times), but luckily have friends & family willing to host my roos and chicks. I just don't have a lot of wiggle room (can't breed like crazy) so I want to be sure I'm doing it smart.

Thanks in advance!

Angela

Hello Angela,

I have a few suggestions. Join the APA if you have not done so

Join the Ameracuana breeders club, find someone close to you and have them take a look at what you have. They can point you in the right direction. You can also taake a few pictures of each bird and ask some very respected qualified people on here for opinions too.

http://www.ameraucana.org/

http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/BC_Links.htm

 

[aghiowa]

Thanks. I am a member of the APA, and have actually applied for and been accepted as the new APA/ABA Youth Program representative for Iowa! I don't know all of what I'm doing yet, but I'm excited to learn.

I will try to get some pics if I can ever get them to stand still. lol The hens are out of condition right now, but the pullets are looking fairly good. I've read the APA SOP on Ameraucanas back and forth, but still need practice translating it into "real birds."

I am really lacking though, in the hows/whats/whys of basic breeding. How do I keep a line healthy/avoid inbreeding? How do I choose what to breed for first? (I'm thinking type over color/comb/eye color etc, right?) How do I pick between which birds to breed and which to avoid? What's the best way of keeping records? What's the genetics behind it all? What trait is linked to what? What can I expect if I cross so-and-so to so-and-so... That kind of thing.

I will look into the breed club for sure.

Angela

 

[delisha]

Thanks. I am a member of the APA, and have actually applied for and been accepted as the new APA/ABA Youth Program representative for Iowa! I don't know all of what I'm doing yet, but I'm excited to learn.

I will try to get some pics if I can ever get them to stand still. lol The hens are out of condition right now, but the pullets are looking fairly good. I've read the APA SOP on Ameraucanas back and forth, but still need practice translating it into "real birds."

I am really lacking though, in the hows/whats/whys of basic breeding. How do I keep a line healthy/avoid inbreeding? How do I choose what to breed for first? (I'm thinking type over color/comb/eye color etc, right?) How do I pick between which birds to breed and which to avoid? What's the best way of keeping records? What's the genetics behind it all? What trait is linked to what? What can I expect if I cross so-and-so to so-and-so... That kind of thing.

I will look into the breed club for sure.

Angela

Angela,

I use a clip board in each coop. Taking notes and having good records is your first line of defense against repeats. It is easier to track down if you keep good records. I have a chicken tracker on an excel file if you like I can send it.
Since you do not really know this groups history and lines, you should contact the breeder (seller) and get as much information as you can.
Cull out the DQ's and those that have obvious non breeder qualities
Get out your SOP and copy a few pictures you like, blow them up and put them in the coop.
I would make a plan with each individual bird. Note the good and bad.
Take a picture of each bird and compare it to the SOP and pictures you have.
Structure is more important than color, however, don't cull a perfect color either..you might be able to use it in a project somewhere down the road.
The most important thing you can do is have someone look at your birds. Someone who shows them and knows by looking, who are the keepers. Keep in mind bio security and take precautions if you choose this route.

 

[unkadan]

Angela, you are headed in the right direction joining and becoming active in the APA, The Ameraucana club provides a breeder list, perhaps contact those in your area that have been working with these birds. Find a "mentor" not all but many of the experienced breeders of these birds can and will be most helpful if you ask questions. IF at all possible start hitting as many shows, meeting folks with experience is the key for getting sound advice.

Some excellent breeders post and check this thread,,,ask questions here and sort through the info

good luck