Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[MrsBachbach]

If you crossed the rooster to hens that lay better, the offspring would likely lay like the mother.

 

[MrsBachbach]

I see two likely males in that group. The splash and the blue. Not sure about the black.

 

[DMRippy]

If you crossed the rooster to hens that lay better, the offspring would likely lay like the mother.

Most likely the laying would improve.... those genes come from both parents.

 

[pips&peeps]

If you crossed the rooster to hens that lay better, the offspring would likely lay like the mother.

The way the old timers used to get better layers was to trap nest and hatch eggs from the better layer and use cockerels from that hen over new pullets.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

A few weeks back it was official that I have 4 cockerels and 6 pullets. I already have 2 mature roosters and 4 hens. I won't have a hard time at all getting rid of my original 2 cockerels they really aren't that good. The blue has hardly any lacing and both have poor combs. This is why I haven't hatched any eggs from them yet. Now I am just going to have to decide which of the cockerels I want to keep. If they all look good, I might just keep them all and 3 can have there own seperate pens. I am definately going to keep two though.

Out of the 10 younger ones I have the cockerels are a splash, 2 blacks, and a blue. The pullets are 4 splash, 2 blues. I have terrible luck with blacks, I want a pullet/hen so bad. I guess I will just have to hatch a bunch of eggs.

I tried sexing them chicks when they were 8 days old. I was almost 100% successful.The ones I thought were cockerels turned out to be cockerels, and one of the pullets turned out to be a cockerel. But I was 90% right. I will have to try doing that more often, first time I had ever tried. It really could of been pure luck

 

[dstokely]

Some pics of my babies. Ten from P. Smith. They are about 5 weeks now. I am starting to see major differences in comb development so I can guess on sex finally. They have been outside for two weeks now (I'm in south south Texas) and they have a big brother for company and security. I'll post his picture last. His name is Goose Goose. These babies have been the most well balanced and healthy of the four batches of chicks EE/bantam/polish I've had this year. I am absolutely in love with Ameraucanas!

 

[DrFarmersDrWife]

Goodness! I can't imagine my little ones crowing but I guess they aren't that far behind yours. Growing up too fast. What will you do with all the Roos? If you cull them what age do you do so? Since these are dual purpose breeds I guess I'll want to cull for the freezer. (I'm a total noob though so not sure about culling)

 

[MrsBachbach]

A few weeks back it was official that I have 4 cockerels and 6 pullets. I already have 2 mature roosters and 4 hens. I won't have a hard time at all getting rid of my original 2 cockerels they really aren't that good. The blue has hardly any lacing and both have poor combs. This is why I haven't hatched any eggs from them yet. Now I am just going to have to decide which of the cockerels I want to keep. If they all look good, I might just keep them all and 3 can have there own seperate pens. I am definately going to keep two though.

Out of the 10 younger ones I have the cockerels are a splash, 2 blacks, and a blue. The pullets are 4 splash, 2 blues. I have terrible luck with blacks, I want a pullet/hen so bad. I guess I will just  have to hatch a bunch of eggs. 

I tried sexing them chicks when they were 8 days old. I was almost 100% successful.The ones I thought were cockerels turned out to be cockerels, and one of the pullets turned out to be a cockerel. But I was 90% right. I will have to try doing that more often, first time I had ever tried. It really could of been pure luck

What criteria did you use to sex them at eight days? Or was it vent sexing?

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

What criteria did you use to sex them at eight days? Or was it vent sexing?

Feathering on wings and tail, also their combs (which meant non existent for some at that age). I don't vent sex. Like I said it all may of just been pure luck on being right, I really didn't think it would work. But I am going to continue to try it on future batches of chicks, including other breeds not just Ameraucanas. I posted pics when I started this "experiment".

 

[dstokely]

Feathering on wings and tail, also their combs (which meant non existent for some at that age). I don't vent sex. Like I said it all may of just been pure luck on being right, I really didn't think it would work. But I am going to continue to try it on future batches of chicks, including other breeds not just Ameraucanas. I posted pics when I started this "experiment".

I am still waiting to prove or disprove cockerels based on who got their little tails first. I think I will be fairly close to what I predicted. Oh, and I looked at combs too. This was at one week of age. I think I posted this on page 2380. No,I am not ready to take this to the bank yet and I know the experts will poo-poo me but I am having fun. I will very carefully cull them based on what I like, not necessarily what would be best in show. I think I will have three blues, which are too many and maybe two splash. One is going to join my laying flock because I usually get my replacements from a hatchery so I am not concerned with the breeding aspect. I will probably have three breeding pens so that means I can keep 4-5 roos. I have read the cautions about not getting rid of any too soon, so mine will be grown, or close too it before I cull. I will not be eating them because I cannot.