Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Catandherchicks]

Well that depends on what you want out of your birds other than eggs! Lol. Taming them down a little or to flying on your arm they're so glad to see you takes a lot of time. Taming them down to manageability still takes some time, but I think it's especially important with cockerel's. The more you handle them the more gentle they become...I held mine up when they were small to make eye contact. That's huge! But it just depends on how much time you have available and how bad you want them tame. I can walk up to almost any of my boys and pick them up. I have 8, 7 will let me pick them right up no chasing, just like that. So it just depends.
I was shocked when my very first EEs,( found out differently on this thread) flew like crazy and they were so little! Like little dive bombers! I got over a lifelong fear of birds 1 year ago, all I can say is I'm real glad I had those to help get me ready to handle the Ameraucanas! Not the breed because I had ordered 20 large fowl chicks! Because of my old fears. Yes, once upon a time all chickens were man eaters to me! Lol.
They can fly so well because they don't weigh as much. But my Ameraucanas are 4 months old and fly very well! Hope this helps.

Dang that Alfred Hitchcock! And look at you now, Miss chicken expert.

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

Dang that Alfred Hitchcock! And look at you now, Miss chicken expert.

Lol so true! Thank you

 

[Ravynscroft]

@samouw

I just had a convo with a friend about black Ameraucana toe nails... we're curious, and thought I'd ask you since you show yours, are there point deductions if the nails aren't dark?

 

[samouw]

@samouw

I just had a convo with a friend about black Ameraucana toe nails... we're curious, and thought I'd ask you since you show yours, are there point deductions if the nails aren't dark?

For any bird that is supposed to have black shanks, there is a 1 point deduction per toenail for white toenails. If your blacks have black shanks, then there would be a deduction - but if your blacks have blue shanks, then there is no point deduction. It's not something that will affect you at the Breed/Variety level, or even at the class (AOSB/AOCCL) level, I wouldn't think. However, when you get to CH LF/Bantam or show champion levels, it could make the difference.

 

[Ravynscroft]

For any bird that is supposed to have black shanks, there is a 1 point deduction per toenail for white toenails. If your blacks have black shanks, then there would be a deduction - but if your blacks have blue shanks, then there is no point deduction.  It's not something that will affect you at the Breed/Variety level, or even at the class (AOSB/AOCCL) level, I wouldn't think.  However, when you get to CH LF/Bantam or show champion levels, it could make the difference.

Thank you for the clarification and the quick response, much appreciated, Susan!

Would it be something to nit pick as a breeder if you are not intending to show then?

 

[Red Banks]

Quote:
In my grow out pen I have Black Ams, BCMs, Wheaten Ams, Cuckoo Marans and Bielefelders. They all pretty much grew up together and have been free ranging for a few months. The Black Ameraucanas are free ranging fools and much braver than the others. In the mornings when I let them out of the coop all the birds run for the feeders and scratch. The Black Ameraucanas head for the edge of the woods and are running after bugs, eating weeds and grass. When I first got them they were very fiesty. When I put my hand in the brood pen, they would attack. They have mellowed out and are pretty much like the rest of the group. The sweetest members of the group are the Wheaten/Blue Wheatens. I have two wheaten pullets that follow me everywhere I go and never stop talking. Glad I got them Susan.... thank you!

 

[Ravynscroft]

I have a question about Ameraucana behavior. My 2 black Ameraucana chicks about 4 weeks old are already pretty feisty, they can hunt down bugs and take flight better than my 4 month old chickens. One even caught and ate a flying butterfly yesterday. My oldest chickens I raised from day 1 mainly inside as it was the winter and went outside around month 3. These chicks grew up in a farm outside so that's all I can guess at this point. Should I be worried that I will have a couple wild, flying chickens in a couple months?

I agree with what RebBanks said... they'll calm down as they mature... but my black Am's have always been my best foragers... stubborn too, but not flighty, wild or flying around... just assertive of what they want and when they want it, lol... very calm and approach me quicker than any of my other breeds too...

 

[samouw]

Thank you for the clarification and the quick response, much appreciated, Susan!

Would it be something to nit pick as a breeder if you are not intending to show then?

I don't nitpick over it and I do show. lol If it comes down to two equal birds, both very nice, one has white toenails and one doesn't - I'd keep the one that doesn't. But, personally, I'd still use a very nice bird with white toenails and be sure to put him/her with a mate that doesn't have it to try and breed away from it.

But, no - it wouldn't be a showstopper for me.

 

[samouw]

Quote:
The little miracle chicks are growing up! So glad you're enjoying them and the "maneaters" are calming down.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I don't nitpick over it and I do show. lol  If it comes down to two equal birds, both very nice, one has white toenails and one doesn't - I'd keep the one that doesn't.  But, personally, I'd still use a very nice bird with white toenails and be sure to put him/her with a mate that doesn't have it to try and breed away from it.

But, no - it wouldn't be a showstopper for me.

Thank you!