Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[TulsaChick]

I am curious..in what way would the environment be unhealthy?

male : female ratio

 

[TulsaChick]

I could

...

I cull mine down by selling as pet quality, that way I don't have to do the deed, or trade for produce with the Amish. The reason you aren't have the problem yet is they are probably coming into age, I have a higher ratio of girls then boys but when the youngsters start acting like roosters it is game on and the girls pay the price and then, out go the boys.. I agree with Speckledhen, I once had a Spitzenhauben rooster go after my niece, all she did was walk in the run, he chased her all over the yard, until I caught up to him, needless to say he went down the road the next day. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
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I wouldn't be able to butcher one either. I understand the wait

 

[rbaker0345]

The leakage really stinks, he has such elegant lines. Though, I was talking with Paul Smith the other day and he said that when he started, he had roos with squirrel tails and leakage etc, you do the best with what you've got and focus on the positive. It was a very encouraging conversation, I recommend his birds and his advice to everyone who feels insecure about their birds.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I agree the leakage kinda stinks and his comb is slighltey large for my liking. But i do like his biod. He is pretty. I see why ou keep him around and i would for the same reason

 

[speckledhen]

Yeah, the leakage is disappointing, isn't it? I had a black Ameraucana, I'm sure some of you remember Scout from way back-his sire was a Cree Farms show bird. Scout was stunning, but the silver and gold bleeding through was major and he produced a son that was bizarre with so many markings, he was almost white. Then, again, there would be others who didn't get it and the pullets were beautiful. Love that black with green sheen. My Gypsy is Scout's daughter. The sons get the bleed-through and can pass it on as well.

This was Scout (by the way, he was beginning to become aggressive, so was a cull in that regard as well)



Daughter Gypsy is my favorite hen, but she's 6 years old now. Hope she stays with me a couple more years.

 

[CackleJoy]

Hello all,
I'm posting this here and not the emergency forum because I really want some feedback regarding AM genetics. I have 2 cockerels, a Wheaten and a BW. Ordered eggs and a pullet from a breeder. Several different varieties of eggs. Of these eggs the hatch rate was less than 50% (not incubator, mine are 95% +). These were local eggs so no shipping involved. Out of that 50% hatch rate, there was a 25% fatality. Three had umbilicus problems, and 2 others had other problems, one died and the other may yet. No other chicks died from that hatch (full incubator of 180). Sadly, the incubator isn't mine . I don't have chicks die often. Maybe 1 in 50, so it's not our broody system.

That's the background to the Ameraucana question.

The Am's are VERY small, came from small eggs so the chicks were nearly bantam sized and the surviving BWA has feathered feet. She swears there were no other birds near her hen. I believe her because her operation is immaculate. Is it possible that all of the issues with her eggs are due to the birds being near or beginning molt? I'm committed to getting a pullet from her. Should I be concerned? Do these problems stem from too young of birds or birds entering molt? My AM eggs are all big. (I have AM's from multi-colored flock so have to call them EE's but they are still the same breed). Is it common for WA or BWA to have small eggs, umbilicus problems or feathered feet or leg issues? Deformities, are they from inbreeding?


Size reference : also note the leg. This chick never stood up properly, always balanced funny and flopped over easily. Finally on day 3 it's intestines fell out the umbilicus and it died.

Another (sussex) chick hatched the same day. See that splayed leg for balance?

I appreciate any input here. My chicken experience does not yet include the WA and BWA breed. If these are common problems, I'd like to know now.
Thank you!

 

[delisha]

Hello all,
I'm posting this here and not the emergency forum because I really want some feedback regarding AM genetics. I have 2 cockerels, a Wheaten and a BW. Ordered eggs and a pullet from a breeder. Several different varieties of eggs. Of these eggs the hatch rate was less than 50% (not incubator, mine are 95% +). These were local eggs so no shipping involved. Out of that 50% hatch rate, there was a 25% fatality. Three had umbilicus problems, and 2 others had other problems, one died and the other may yet. No other chicks died from that hatch (full incubator of 180). Sadly, the incubator isn't mine . I don't have chicks die often. Maybe 1 in 50, so it's not our broody system.

That's the background to the Ameraucana question.

The Am's are VERY small, came from small eggs so the chicks were nearly bantam sized and the surviving BWA has feathered feet. She swears there were no other birds near her hen. I believe her because her operation is immaculate. Is it possible that all of the issues with her eggs are due to the birds being near or beginning molt? I'm committed to getting a pullet from her. Should I be concerned? Do these problems stem from too young of birds or birds entering molt? My AM eggs are all big. (I have AM's from multi-colored flock so have to call them EE's but they are still the same breed). Is it common for WA or BWA to have small eggs, umbilicus problems or feathered feet or leg issues? Deformities, are they from inbreeding?


Size reference : also note the leg. This chick never stood up properly, always balanced funny and flopped over easily. Finally on day 3 it's intestines fell out the umbilicus and it died.

Another (sussex) chick hatched the same day. See that splayed leg for balance?

I appreciate any input here. My chicken experience does not yet include the WA and BWA breed. If these are common problems, I'd like to know now.
Thank you!

It is hard to say..
If I had to guess it would be(This is just my opinion based on experience and reading.)

1. too large of chicks for the egg and they had to get out before they were ready. Intestines falling out supports that finding also handling eggs too much and high humidity for those particular eggs.
2. Also your environment is different than hers no matter if they are shipped or not. Most home hatchings are better simply because of bacteria. Your chickens are immune to your bacteria, new eggs are not. They are porous and your bacteria from your home and hands can infect them even if you are squeaky clean.
3. Pullet eggs or eggs from older hens simply do not hatch at the same rate. The best hatches are from hens that are 14-20 months old. Older eggs need additional TLC and handling..young eggs(pullet) sometimes make chicks with health issues. I do not like to hatch pullet eggs for that chance alone. It is not worth the risk.
4. Time of year for certain flocks determine habitability. If you cull for vigor and fertility or not makes a huge difference. I have 100% hatch rate or I find out who is not playing ball. They go to freezer camp.
This is a good time to hatch eggs for next years show birds. It is not the best time of year for the chickens. They usually moult this time of year for a reason. It is winter and it is not a good time to raise a brood of chicks. If a bird is in moult they do not lay eggs so your guess about moult being and issue about viability is not part of the equation. However if they are being forced to lay(feed and lights) and they should be in moult and in rest that certainly can and does make a difference. The hens health is being altered and so would the embryo.

I hope this gives you some reasons why chicks and embryos do the things they do.
A bird with feathered legs is not am AM. Either you got your egg mixed up or she has OE in her line she does not know about.

IMO..that is not spay leg. That chick looks just dry and cute as can be.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Hello all,
I'm posting this here and not the emergency forum because I really want some feedback regarding AM genetics. I have 2 cockerels, a Wheaten and a BW. Ordered eggs and a pullet from a breeder. Several different varieties of eggs. Of these eggs the hatch rate was less than 50% (not incubator, mine are 95% +). These were local eggs so no shipping involved. Out of that 50% hatch rate, there was a 25% fatality. Three had umbilicus problems, and 2 others had other problems, one died and the other may yet. No other chicks died from that hatch (full incubator of 180). Sadly, the incubator isn't mine . I don't have chicks die often. Maybe 1 in 50, so it's not our broody system.

That's the background to the Ameraucana question.

The Am's are VERY small, came from small eggs so the chicks were nearly bantam sized and the surviving BWA has feathered feet. She swears there were no other birds near her hen. I believe her because her operation is immaculate. Is it possible that all of the issues with her eggs are due to the birds being near or beginning molt? I'm committed to getting a pullet from her. Should I be concerned? Do these problems stem from too young of birds or birds entering molt? My AM eggs are all big. (I have AM's from multi-colored flock so have to call them EE's but they are still the same breed). Is it common for WA or BWA to have small eggs, umbilicus problems or feathered feet or leg issues? Deformities, are they from inbreeding?


Size reference : also note the leg. This chick never stood up properly, always balanced funny and flopped over easily. Finally on day 3 it's intestines fell out the umbilicus and it died.

Another (sussex) chick hatched the same day. See that splayed leg for balance?

I appreciate any input here. My chicken experience does not yet include the WA and BWA breed. If these are common problems, I'd like to know now.
Thank you!

Several things could be in play here...were the eggs from young pullets? Are they birds she has hatched from very closely related stock, ie brother and sisters? What was the health of the laying hens? Now the feathered legs do not show up because of molting, they show up due to genetics. Sprigs are unfortunately common in some lines of Wheaten/Blue Wheaten and may not show up until you breed two birds with that gene. I have some chicks I am growing out from related stock and the person had never seen feathered legs but I got them. Molt can effect the health of the chicks but usually the birds are not laying if they are heavy in molt and not getting enough protein but they can. I would think you hatched pullet eggs and with pullet eggs some of the first eggs will often not be fertile plus chicks are often weak and small. Sprattled legs can be caused by simply weak chicks that can not get up very well. Now the umbilical issue I have never seen so not sure what causes that....

 

[CackleJoy]

It is hard to say..
If I had to guess it would be(This is just my opinion based on experience and reading.)

1. too large of chicks for the egg and they had to get out before they were ready. Intestines falling out supports that finding also handling eggs too much and high humidity for those particular eggs.
2. Also your environment is different than hers no matter if they are shipped or not. Most home hatchings are better simply because of bacteria. Your chickens are immune to your bacteria, new eggs are not. They are porous and your bacteria from your home and hands can infect them even if you are squeaky clean.
3. Pullet eggs or eggs from older hens simply do not hatch at the same rate. The best hatches are from hens that are 14-20 months old. Older eggs need additional TLC and handling..young eggs(pullet) sometimes make chicks with health issues. I do not like to hatch pullet eggs for that chance alone. It is not worth the risk.
4. Time of year for certain flocks determine habitability. If you cull for vigor and fertility or not makes a huge difference. I have 100% hatch rate or I find out who is not playing ball. They go to freezer camp.
This is a good time to hatch eggs for next years show birds. It is not the best time of year for the chickens. They usually moult this time of year for a reason. It is winter and it is not a good time to raise a brood of chicks. If a bird is in moult they do not lay eggs so your guess about moult being and issue about viability is not part of the equation. However if they are being forced to lay(feed and lights) and they should be in moult and in rest that certainly can and does make a difference. The hens health is being altered and so would the embryo.

I hope this gives you some reasons why chicks and embryos do the things they do.
A bird with feathered legs is not am AM. Either you got your egg mixed up or she has OE in her line she does not know about.

IMO..that is not spay leg. That chick looks just dry and cute as can be.

Thank you for the input. Yes, I thought this chick was darling too

. Okay, that is a slight exaggeration although it IS traumatizing to have a chick die in that manner.
Thanks again, I will share this input with the other people suffering through this hatch. It's good to know that I should be safe getting a pullet from these breeders. I love their birds!

 

[CackleJoy]

Several things could be in play here...were the eggs from young pullets? Are they birds she has hatched from very closely related stock, ie brother and sisters? What was the health of the laying hens? Now the feathered legs do not show up because of molting, they show up due to genetics. Sprigs are unfortunately common in some lines of Wheaten/Blue Wheaten and may not show up until you breed two birds with that gene. I have some chicks I am growing out from related stock and the person had never seen feathered legs but I got them. Molt can effect the health of the chicks but usually the birds are not laying if they are heavy in molt and not getting enough protein but they can. I would think you hatched pullet eggs and with pullet eggs some of the first eggs will often not be fertile plus chicks are often weak and small. Sprattled legs can be caused by simply weak chicks that can not get up very well. Now the umbilical issue I have never seen so not sure what causes that....

I should ask about age... have a few more of those tiny eggs in the incubator. My big concern is not wanting to breed that small egg/weak chick into my line. Thanks for your input!