Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Blue CopperHen]

My black pullet has just started to lay.

 

[Folly's place]

Apologies up front; I haven't read the whole thread, so this is probably a redundant question. I've had birds for a long time, but finally got a few black Ameracaunas from a show breeder last spring. Beautiful birds; four pullets now 36 (!!!) weeks old, and no eggs! Is this normal? I've got a nice mixed flock, good nutrition, etc. so not pleased. If this is the norm, will they live and lay eggs longer than average? The one Ameracauna bantam pullet from the same breeder is doing great. Opinions? Mary

 

[heatherscooby77]

Apologies up front; I haven't read the whole thread, so this is probably a redundant question. I've had birds for a long time, but finally got a few black Ameracaunas from a show breeder last spring. Beautiful birds; four pullets now 36 (!!!) weeks old, and no eggs! Is this normal? I've got a nice mixed flock, good nutrition, etc. so not pleased. If this is the norm, will they live and lay eggs longer than average? The one Ameracauna bantam pullet from the same breeder is doing great. Opinions? Mary

I am not sure where you are from, but if its cold where you are right now. She probably won't lay until spring. Which is normal for them where I am from Pennsylvania. If you are in a warmer climate state it could take as long as 8-9 months for them to lay. I also have noticed that my bantams (cochins) start laying way before the LF do. You can post a pic of her and we can tell you if she is close to POL.

 

[jerryse]

Apologies up front; I haven't read the whole thread, so this is probably a redundant question. I've had birds for a long time, but finally got a few black Ameracaunas from a show breeder last spring. Beautiful birds; four pullets now 36 (!!!) weeks old, and no eggs! Is this normal? I've got a nice mixed flock, good nutrition, etc. so not pleased. If this is the norm, will they live and lay eggs longer than average? The one Ameracauna bantam pullet from the same breeder is doing great. Opinions? Mary

They need 12-14 hours of light to lay. So if you rely on natural light it could be march before they lay. A cheap lamp timer with light works fine.

 

[delisha]

Apologies up front; I haven't read the whole thread, so this is probably a redundant question. I've had birds for a long time, but finally got a few black Ameracaunas from a show breeder last spring. Beautiful birds; four pullets now 36 (!!!) weeks old, and no eggs! Is this normal? I've got a nice mixed flock, good nutrition, etc. so not pleased. If this is the norm, will they live and lay eggs longer than average? The one Ameracauna bantam pullet from the same breeder is doing great. Opinions? Mary

Hi Mary..

AM's take longer than many breeds. It sure is hard to wait for those pretty blue eggs..You might be feeding all winter before you get eggs . 9-10 months old is about average to start to lay but we are in short light days. You can add light hours by using a light timer in your coop to get them going a bit earlier. They need a good 10 hours of light. If they are not sexually mature and not ready to lay..the light really will not help all that much.

I do not use lights..I have multiple breeds and some lay all winter long. If I had only AM's I would use light to get them laying at least by January to hatch for showing.

 

[Folly's place]

Sorry I wasn't clear; I have a light in the coop 4 am to 8 am daily, and the other birds are laying pretty well. Nine to ten months old before laying? Wow! Mary

 

[HaplessRunner]

I have a black ameraucana pullet that is approaching nine months of age and has yet to start laying. Yet I have two wheaten ameraucana pullets who have started laying at six months of age. Go figure. I do have augmented lighting to extend the light exposure time.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Sorry I wasn't clear; I have a light in the coop 4 am to 8 am daily, and the other birds are laying pretty well. Nine to ten months old before laying? Wow! Mary

I have one Wheaten pullet who is 8.5 months old and still not laying. She's checking out the nest box, but still no eggs. I don't have lights--I'll let nature dictate.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
I had an EE that was the LOW man on the totem pole.... she took over 10 months to lay.

 

[Angel16]

Blue crossed with black gives blue and black chicks. Blue is a modifier to black, so they are the same color family. Two copies of blue gives you splash. Blue, Black, and Splash are used to make more blues (and blacks or splash depending on what cross). It's a normal breeding and isn't crossing colors.

wow! I never new that! Thank you!!