Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[MrsBachbach]

He would be classified as Easter Egger. His chicks would also be Easter Eggers. You can't mix different color varieties and still call them 'pure', the only exception is BBS.

You can also breed wheaten, blue wheaten and splash wheaten together.

 

[Red Banks]

I agree with you on the hatcheries, and that's why I have EEs. I bought Americanas. I learned on BYC what the difference really was, but it wasn't easy. My biggest problem with a couple of threads on BYC, including this one, is that there is a better way to educate people. I'm a guy, and I ask questions knowing full well what the answer may be, but there are a lot of people that just love their chickens and are excited to show them off. You have a new chicken owner, excited about their birds posting pictures on here, the BCM thread, or any other purebred thread, and the response they get is "That's an Easter Egger

".
While that may be true, that only hurts the OPs feelings, scares them off of the thread, makes them think all breeders are jerks, and they don't learn a thing. There are a few people on here that will take their time to explain why it's an easter egger, and that's what BYC should be for. That's why I usually try to start my reply by saying "That's a beautiful bird, but..."
There are others on here that do the same. We just need to all remember that we weren't always the fancy pants breeders with the best birds in the state that we are now

It just amazes me how this is turning out to be just like raising dogs. I raised and showed Labs and Bouviers. Show labs could not hunt as well as field labs. Show bouviers were not as good at schutzhund as protection bred bouviers. Production versus Show. Now we are talking hurting peoples feelings because their chickens are not what they thought they were. So what do you do? Everywhere I went people would show me their Labs and ask me if they were show quality or tell me about the breeder that assured them of the quality of their dog. They were pets..... much loved beautiful pets but not show dogs. I had to find a tactful way to tell them. I think we try very hard to do that here. A couple of weeks ago we (this thread) told Milee her chickens were EEs. She was insulted..... she felt duped..... and she blamed us. She private messaged me, I tried to explain. I was gentle. It didn't matter. Some people will be glad to learn, some will not. Again..... it all boils down to your program. What do you want in your chicken yard? Nothing we say should change what you want to do. EEs are great..... if that is what you want to do, go for it. If you really want Ameraucanas, learn about them and find a good breeder that has what you want. We are always here to lend support, educate/share what we know and give a hug when things don't go well.

 

[scflock]

It just amazes me how this is turning out to be just like raising dogs. I raised and showed Labs and Bouviers. Show labs could not hunt as well as field labs. Show bouviers were not as good at schutzhund as protection bred bouviers. Production versus Show. Now we are talking hurting peoples feelings because their chickens are not what they thought they were. So what do you do? Everywhere I went people would show me their Labs and ask me if they were show quality or tell me about the breeder that assured them of the quality of their dog. They were pets..... much loved beautiful pets but not show dogs. I had to find a tactful way to tell them. I think we try very hard to do that here. A couple of weeks ago we (this thread) told Milee her chickens were EEs. She was insulted..... she felt duped..... and she blamed us. She private messaged me, I tried to explain. I was gentle. It didn't matter. Some people will be glad to learn, some will not. Again..... it all boils down to your program. What do you want in your chicken yard? Nothing we say should change what you want to do. EEs are great..... if that is what you want to do, go for it. If you really want Ameraucanas, learn about them and find a good breeder that has what you want. We are always here to lend support, educate/share what we know and give a hug when things don't go well.

I didn't mean to imply that everyone was teachable

The ones that continue to argue and insist they are right annoy me just as much

 

[MrsBachbach]

Just talked to the company and they said it should be full blooded and looks like blue wheaton. Thoughts?

No, it may be carrying some blue wheaten genes, but not a blue wheaten Ameraucana per standard. It's pretty common for the companies or hatcheries to not know the difference.

 

[generaldsherman]

No, it may be carrying some blue wheaten genes, but not a blue wheaten Ameraucana per standard. It's pretty common for the companies or hatcheries to not know the difference.

Fair enough, I've decided I don't really care. Maybe they just bred two different color purebreds or something.

At least I'll have purdy eggs

 

[tao chick]

I think part of the reason people would get offended is because the terminology is different for this breed compared to BCM or others. When a poor quality BCM is posted on that board the critics will point out the flaws, say it is not standard, and recommend not using the bird as a breeder. Here, the response gives the bird a whole new name, which is not a breed. Pet quality is what is used in domestic animals but doesn't quite work in all corners of the chicken world.
I'm in complete support of this board pointing out Easter Eggers, like scflock mentioned. I didn't take offense to any of your responses because I'm here expecting critique. The title of the thread is friendly, and I think you all have been friendly about it.

 

[junebuggena]

I think part of the reason people would get offended is because the terminology is different for this breed compared to BCM or others. When a poor quality BCM is posted on that board the critics will point out the flaws, say it is not standard, and recommend not using the bird as a breeder. Here, the response gives the bird a whole new name, which is not a breed. Pet quality is what is used in domestic animals but doesn't quite work in all corners of the chicken world.
I'm in complete support of this board pointing out Easter Eggers, like scflock mentioned. I didn't take offense to any of your responses because I'm here expecting critique. The title of the thread is friendly, and I think you all have been friendly about it.

The problem is that there is just so much misrepresentation when it comes to the Ameraucanas and Araucanas.
It wouldn't be a problem if the hatcheries would stop selling their mixed breed stock as 'Ameraucana'. They have no problem making up names for their other mixed/cross bred type birds. Why can't they just make up a name for their Easter Eggers, the same why they do for their red sex-links. Some hatcheries have even starting selling their Production Reds as Cherry Eggers, for goodness sakes.

 

[samouw]

I think part of the reason people would get offended is because the terminology is different for this breed compared to BCM or others. When a poor quality BCM is posted on that board the critics will point out the flaws, say it is not standard, and recommend not using the bird as a breeder. Here, the response gives the bird a whole new name, which is not a breed. Pet quality is what is used in domestic animals but doesn't quite work in all corners of the chicken world.
I'm in complete support of this board pointing out Easter Eggers, like scflock mentioned. I didn't take offense to any of your responses because I'm here expecting critique. The title of the thread is friendly, and I think you all have been friendly about it.

You know, tao chick, that is an excellent point. We are, many of us anyway, guilty of using the "EE" label as a general catchall when we don't have the time, or the willingness, to say why a bird is getting dropped in that bucket.

I know when I started out, I would have been very grateful to those who took the time to point out why my birds were not show quality or, in a couple of cases, not true Ameraucanas (and was grateful to those who did).

I'll try to pay that forward more often.

 

[scflock]

I think part of the reason people would get offended is because the terminology is different for this breed compared to BCM or others. When a poor quality BCM is posted on that board the critics will point out the flaws, say it is not standard, and recommend not using the bird as a breeder. Here, the response gives the bird a whole new name, which is not a breed. Pet quality is what is used in domestic animals but doesn't quite work in all corners of the chicken world.
I'm in complete support of this board pointing out Easter Eggers, like scflock mentioned. I didn't take offense to any of your responses because I'm here expecting critique. The title of the thread is friendly, and I think you all have been friendly about it.

I didn't mean to totally compare this one to the other one. I've never seen anyone here tell someone to eat their chickens

 

[Ravynscroft]

I agree with you on the hatcheries, and that's why I have EEs. I bought Americanas. I learned on BYC what the difference really was, but it wasn't easy. My biggest problem with a couple of threads on BYC, including this one, is that there is a better way to educate people. I'm a guy, and I ask questions knowing full well what the answer may be, but there are a lot of people that just love their chickens and are excited to show them off. You have a new chicken owner, excited about their birds posting pictures on here, the BCM thread, or any other purebred thread, and the response they get is "That's an Easter Egger ".
While that may be true, that only hurts the OPs feelings, scares them off of the thread, makes them think all breeders are jerks, and they don't learn a thing. There are a few people on here that will take their time to explain why it's an easter egger, and that's what BYC should be for. That's why I usually try to start my reply by saying "That's a beautiful bird, but..."
There are others on here that do the same. We just need to all remember that we weren't always the fancy pants breeders with the best birds in the state that we are now

I think part of the reason people would get offended is because the terminology is different for this breed compared to BCM or others. When a poor quality BCM is posted on that board the critics will point out the flaws, say it is not standard, and recommend not using the bird as a breeder. Here, the response gives the bird a whole new name, which is not a breed. Pet quality is what is used in domestic animals but doesn't quite work in all corners of the chicken world.
I'm in complete support of this board pointing out Easter Eggers, like scflock mentioned. I didn't take offense to any of your responses because I'm here expecting critique. The title of the thread is friendly, and I think you all have been friendly about it.

You know, tao chick, that is an excellent point.  We are, many of us anyway, guilty of using the "EE" label as a general catchall when we don't have the time, or the willingness, to say why a bird is getting dropped in that bucket.

I know when I started out, I would have been very grateful to those who took the time to point out why my birds were not show quality or, in a couple of cases, not true Ameraucanas (and was grateful to those who did).

I'll try to pay that forward more often. 

I agree with all that was posted here... and the problem is much more and beyond hatcheries/feed stores... Google is a click away, unfortunately a lot of info online is not correct either... and if someone doesn't know the proper spelling, they'll really get some misguided info too...

BYC is a learning forum... it is our choice to join and understanding that, we each take a bit of responsibility in helping others learn... are we busy? Of course... do we always have time to explain things out so others understand? No... but we can choose whether to make a fast and hasty post just to slap a label on someone's beloved bird or refrain and let another who does have time answer... or if nobody does, come back when you have time and explain then... yes, it is repetitive and tedious... but better to repeat oneself than to perpetuate the confusion...

Blame is quickly spread anywhere and everywhere, but I feel one thing is overlooked... we shoulder some of that too... as Ameraucana breeders/owners/lovers I feel it is just part of our own responsibility to keep educating others properly in the breed we are trying to keep flourishing...

But this is all my own personal opinion...