Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Alaskan]

Does she look like a EE or Ameraucana

since it looks like she has chipmunk stripes, I would say EE

don't worry, they tend to be great layers!

 

[PapaChaz]

since it looks like she has chipmunk stripes, I would say EE

don't worry, they tend to be great layers!

and she'll most likely get pretty blue eggs too

 

[Sylvester017]

really? so the 8 blues I bought back in Feb for $8 a piece from a breeder in Calhoun GA were just a bargain then? or do you think he just took me? I know you have a rep for really knowing your stuff, but just because someone buys a chick for under $10 doesn't mean it's 'probably an EE', good grief

If you can get quality APA Ameraucanas for $8 than grab them because it is not the norm. I once got a Silkie pullet from show parents for $10 but never had that happen more than once! Remember also that with Ameraucanas there are a lot of birds that still may not meet SOPs and get sold at pet quality prices - that's how I got my 2 BW Amers for less than the Blue Amer which came from show stock. The devil is in the details and price is usually an indication of whether its quality or not - note: I said "usually" but I've heard of breeders having to re-home their rare breeds due to illness, hardship, or whatever. I was offered a breeding pair of rare Coronation Sussex for free just to continue the breeding project because the breeder was trying to establish a diverse stock but I'm not zoned for roos

 

[PapaChaz]

If you can get quality APA Ameraucanas for $8 than grab them because it is not the norm. I once got a Silkie pullet from show parents for $10 but never had that happen more than once! Remember also that with Ameraucanas there are a lot of birds that still may not meet SOPs and get sold at pet quality prices - that's how I got my 2 BW Amers for less than the Blue Amer which came from show stock. The devil is in the details and price is usually an indication of whether its quality or not - note: I said "usually" but I've heard of breeders having to re-home their rare breeds due to illness, hardship, or whatever. I was offered a breeding pair of rare Coronation Sussex for free just to continue the breeding project because the breeder was trying to establish a diverse stock but I'm not zoned for roos

so have you looked at the pics I posted? mine aren't EE's for sure. Although I'm not interested in showing them. This breeder is relatively new with the breed, got his breed stock from Paul Smith and hatches roughly 40 eggs every monday. Albeit, in the bator he'll have Blue, Black, and Wheaten Ameraucanas, and cream legbars. Maybe he doesn't know what he has? maybe he just believes in a fair price? maybe he isn't sure of his stock yet? Maybe he's just trying to get established?

He'd been into breeding game chickens for years, and as mentioned, only recently decided to go with these. From the looks of his layout, which was pretty impressive to me, (for what that's worth) he talked like he knows what he's doing.

Not trying to be argumentative, but the tone of 'if it was under $10 it's probably an EE' just didn't set right with me.

 

[Caitlin_VT]

I have to say, I sell my Am chicks for $7-8 each. I don't think our market could support much more, nor would I be competitive with the other big Am breeders.

 

[samouw]

If you can get quality APA Ameraucanas for $8 than grab them because it is not the norm. I once got a Silkie pullet from show parents for $10 but never had that happen more than once! Remember also that with Ameraucanas there are a lot of birds that still may not meet SOPs and get sold at pet quality prices - that's how I got my 2 BW Amers for less than the Blue Amer which came from show stock. The devil is in the details and price is usually an indication of whether its quality or not - note: I said "usually" but I've heard of breeders having to re-home their rare breeds due to illness, hardship, or whatever. I was offered a breeding pair of rare Coronation Sussex for free just to continue the breeding project because the breeder was trying to establish a diverse stock but I'm not zoned for roos

I sell all my Ameraucana chicks at $8/ea straight run. That's been my price for several years. And, I'm definitely NOT selling EEs as Ameraucanas.

Susan Mouw

 

[PapaChaz]

I have to say, I sell my Am chicks for $7-8 each. I don't think our market could support much more, nor would I be competitive with the other big Am breeders.

exactly, thank you........

I sell all my Ameraucana chicks at $8/ea straight run. That's been my price for several years. And, I'm definitely NOT selling EEs as Ameraucanas.

Susan Mouw

yeah mine were straight run as well. I'll just go ahead and say if the going rate for Ameraucana's here in GA were the same as in southern california, I'd have been looking for easter eggers, cause there's no way I'd pay what the rate is there just to get eggs with blue shells.

 

[MrsBachbach]

  It depends on the breeder and his or her priorities . The first lavenders laid greenish eggs . I have pretty much removed that from my lavenders by breeding back to blacks with good egg color.

In your case the greenish tint came from the lavender used to make your split . The blue is harder to explain . The Ameraucana is a fairly young breed in chickens . We do not have a long history . Selection is a must on egg color . I have one that lays a greenish egg that I do not set . I get good reports from customers on my egg color . I consider egg color a priority .

jerryse you are familiar with the lavender color and the genetics involved. What would happen in a BBS pen if a black split somehow was added to that pen unknowing it was a split? What genes are the splits carrying. What would one see in the offspring if they bred a split to a blue or black?
Is there anything a breeder can see on a split that would identify it as such?
I'm just wondering because I'm sure there are many splits out there that some may think are blacks and sell as such.

 

[MrsBachbach]

I paid $40 for 2 pet quality Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas and  $50 for one potential show quality Blue Ameraucana.  How much did you pay for your chick?  If under $10 then probably an EE.  Go to www.Ameraucana.org to check out the photo gallery to see the 8 approved APA Ameraucana colors.  Lavender is not approved yet but show breeders are working on it.

You paid $40 for two BW chicks?
Well, I'm going to disagree with your statement. I sell purebred Ameraucanas for less than that even full grown birds!
I paid 50 once for a BW pullet and I will never do that again. I was ripped off big time on that purchase and it was a listed breeder.
I guess it all depends on what people will pay in your area, but around here, I'm lucky to get bites on $4 a chick and people will rarely pay more than $15 for a pullet or hen (lucky if I get that), purebred or not. I think $4 is pretty dang cheap considering you pay at least $3 at feed stores for chicks that aren't even labeled what breed they are most of the time. Usually just sex linked chicks I would think. It seems to be the same breed of birds every year.

 

[MrsBachbach]

so have you looked at the pics I posted? mine aren't EE's for sure. Although I'm not interested in showing them. This breeder is relatively new with the breed, got his breed stock from Paul Smith and hatches roughly 40 eggs every monday. Albeit, in the bator he'll have Blue, Black, and Wheaten Ameraucanas, and cream legbars. Maybe he doesn't know what he has? maybe he just believes in a fair price? maybe he isn't sure of his stock yet? Maybe he's just trying to get established?

He'd been into breeding game chickens for years, and as mentioned, only recently decided to go with these. From the looks of his layout, which was pretty impressive to me, (for what that's worth) he talked like he knows what he's doing.

Not trying to be argumentative, but the tone of  'if it was under $10 it's probably an EE' just didn't set right with me.

Doesn't sit right with me either and I have and breed show stock. I believe it has much more to do with the area you live in, what people are willing to pay and whether you just sell locally or ship. Granted, when you ship, you do broaden your market and can increase your prices.
Just like the statements made that birds on Craigslist are probably EE's. No, I can say with confidence, not all are, because I use it sometimes. You just have to know what you are looking for is supposed to look like because I have seen many EE's advertised as Ameraucanas there. I sometimes write them and let them know.