Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[bruceha2000]

This could turn into a lengthy explanation. The breed history states Ameraucana were created from Araucana . In the early 70's the hatcheries called them Araucana . Pretty much the same stuff they sell now . There was a huge controversy over what a true Araucana's traits should be . Tufted rumpless won . Those of use that did not like lethal genes of the tuft and mechanical problems of mating due to rumpless chose bearded and tails . We created the bantams first . We were the Ameraucana Breeders Club . The breed name was chose by a vote among club members . We had been told that we would never get them in the standard with Araucana in the name . Now some newbies will tell you Easter Eggers were created by crossing Ameraucana with other breeds . Not so . The hatchery birds were here first . They were the source of the blue egg gene . At the time hatcheries called them Araucana the Easter egg chicken . After Araucana were accepted into the standard as tufted rumpless . Then there birds did not fit the description . We got the Ameraucana bantams accepted into the American bantam association standard first . We then went for APA acceptance . There was another club for large fowl . We got the bantams accepted into the APA and as a bonus the large fowl were offered acceptance if they went with the 8 color the bantams had . We absorbed the members of the other club and became the Ameraucana Breeders Club . The standard committee does not set the breed characteristics the breed club did . All traits were voted on by the club membership . This past year there was a split of the club and the Ameraucana Alliance was created .

Thanks for the details and history lesson Jerry! I didn't know you were one of the breed developers. Way cool. I guess it is sort of like a square is a specialized rectangle but a rectangle is not a square. Thus an Ameraucana is a specialized EE

So my guess that the hatcheries keep some pure Ameraucanas for breeding to make EEs is probably off the mark. Especially since they have been selling the "any color or pattern" EEs since before the standard color Ameraucanas even existed.

Oh you lead me into dangerous ground ! If it meets the standard you can show it as Ameraucana . I and others have done this in the past . A responsible breeder will not sell these as Ameraucana without making the buyer aware of the situation . I have sometimes sold project birds early on . I always try to explain the situation .

But if they are bred and at least half the chicks meet standard, it seems one could surmise that the bird picked up "proper genetics" and would be considered pure, no? Especially if the chicks throw APA standard offspring as well.

It seems that is the way breeding has to work is it not? Keep breeding for the traits you want and when the birds consistently throw chicks with those desired traits, you have a new breed or color to try and get in the APA.

 

[Saris]

I was so excited to get them, was so excited to watch them grow, have been dying to get my first egg, and now I'm dying to get 2 dozen within 10 days so I can pop them in the incubator

I'm a 42 year old man and sound like a 12 year old girl

I couldn't figure it out, so I got to wondering and looked back at my notes. I've been saying all along they hatched in early May. It was early June

They are right on schedule. I hope to be setting eggs by New Years, and if they start hatching well, I really am interested to see a cross of my birds with that fat pullet of yours

I feel like Christmas wont happen until Easter. Haha!

 

[daxigait]

@MrsBachbachI live just outside of Joplin, so where roughly are you? Do you have a site?

 

[marchick]

I didn't think I would be so fond of the splash, but I love that guy

He is very pretty! I don't know much yet! but I know what I like and He is pretty!

Drool Drool

I hope I get one just like him!

 

[scflock]

He is very pretty! I don't know much yet! but I know what I like and He is pretty!

Drool Drool

I hope I get one just like him!

You are getting Smith birds too, so if you mix 2 of the blues you are getting, you should get some

 

[marchick]

You are getting Smith birds too, so if you mix 2 of the blues you are getting, you should get some

I am not good at waiting! lol Getting Chicks is better then getting Christmas presents! I should be getting my blue/black and wheaten/ Blue wheaten ameraucanas in february. They said mine would go out in the first shipment. I will post pictures when they come!

 

[scflock]

#2!!!

 

[Ravynscroft]

#2!!!

There ya go!!!

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

I feel like Christmas wont happen until Easter. Haha!

I am in agreement saris! I don't get mine til first week in March. Reading everybody else's posts of sheer joy makes me even more excited!

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

#2!!!

oh my gosh! Did you get 2 today? Time to pass out the cigars! You are well on your way! Its as if your girls feel your excitement! Their discussing it right now in the hen house!