Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[magicstorm]

I want to share something with all of you, just briefly.  Yesterday, I lost one of my favorite hens, a year old blue wheaten hen.  She was one of those that would come talk to you when you come near, and would love sitting in your lap.

I lost her because I wasn't paying attention.  I knew the cockbird in that pen was aggressive with his hens, but I would still see them out and about during the day, so I thought everyone was getting food and drink.  But I was wrong.  One hen, apparently his "favorite", had gotten so intimidated by that cockbird, she quit coming out of the coop - at all.  And I wasn't paying enough attention to realize she was losing weight, and becoming dehydrated, until it was too late.  I brought her inside yesterday to try and save her, but I couldn't - her systems had already begun to shut down.

My first Ameraucana was a cockerel named Hawkeye.  Hawkeye was the model for how an Ameraucana cockbird should act - always gentle towards his hens, they got the treats first, never aggressive towards humans - unless you were trying to hurt one of "his" girls!  And Hawkeye put that stamp of temperament on all his get...right down to the third and fourth generation.  But I had a cockbird, a great grandson of Hawkeye, that got a wild gene for temperament from somewhere.  He didn't share treats, and he was very rough with the girls.  I put off putting him down, because he was a beautiful bird.  I'll never make that mistake again.

Now I've lost the cockbird and one of my favorite hens.  Maybe someone else will take away a lesson from what happened here.

Sorry for ur loss. And thanks for the heads up, something we all need to watch for.

 

[marchick]

I want to share something with all of you, just briefly. Yesterday, I lost one of my favorite hens, a year old blue wheaten hen. She was one of those that would come talk to you when you come near, and would love sitting in your lap.

I lost her because I wasn't paying attention. I knew the cockbird in that pen was aggressive with his hens, but I would still see them out and about during the day, so I thought everyone was getting food and drink. But I was wrong. One hen, apparently his "favorite", had gotten so intimidated by that cockbird, she quit coming out of the coop - at all. And I wasn't paying enough attention to realize she was losing weight, and becoming dehydrated, until it was too late. I brought her inside yesterday to try and save her, but I couldn't - her systems had already begun to shut down.

My first Ameraucana was a cockerel named Hawkeye. Hawkeye was the model for how an Ameraucana cockbird should act - always gentle towards his hens, they got the treats first, never aggressive towards humans - unless you were trying to hurt one of "his" girls! And Hawkeye put that stamp of temperament on all his get...right down to the third and fourth generation. But I had a cockbird, a great grandson of Hawkeye, that got a wild gene for temperament from somewhere. He didn't share treats, and he was very rough with the girls. I put off putting him down, because he was a beautiful bird. I'll never make that mistake again.

Now I've lost the cockbird and one of my favorite hens. Maybe someone else will take away a lesson from what happened here.

So sorry Susan,

I know how you feel. When they are so special you can't help but get attatched to them. There is always that one in a million chicken that ends up with a special place in your heart. My girl after 5 days has taken a turn for the worse.

 

[Sergio R]

Wardle Feed and Pet Supply
4.2 rating
Denver Colorado

Wardle feed does not sell true Ameraucanas, they get their chicks from some "breader" in Hudson CO and they miss label their birds all the time.
Their guys lie to you just to sell you the chickens, last fall I bought 2 "california greys" and 1 leghorn, instead i ended up with 2 barred rocks and 1 buff orpington (all poor quality birds)

 

[samouw]

So sorry Susan,

I know how you feel. When they are so special you can't help but get attatched to them. There is always that one in a million chicken that ends up with a special place in your heart. My girl after 5 days has taken a turn for the worse.

Oh no! The one you did the amazing surgery on? How is she this morning??

 

[Chicken5555]

So sorry Susan,

I know how you feel. When they are so special you can't help but get attatched to them. There is always that one in a million chicken that ends up with a special place in your heart. My girl after 5 days has taken a turn for the worse.

Oh, No! I'm so sorry

 

[bruceha2000]

I believe so too....should i say anything to the breeder? They are good birds but i had originally got then for show birds....

I would. They need to know that YOU know, and aren't afraid to relate to others, that they are NOT selling what they claim. May or may not make a difference to how they handle themselves but if they have a website where you can comment, frankly *I* would have a hard time not

them

Wardle Feed and Pet Supply
4.2 rating
Denver Colorado

That is where you bought them? This is what they post for the chickens they sell:

Some of the breeds that will be available may include Wyandottes, Americaunas, Leghorns, Brahma, Cochin, Reds, Orpingtons, Rocks, Stars, Easter Eggers, Australorps, Chantecler, Delaware, Jersey Giants, Orpingtons, Welsummers and many many more over the course of the season.

Note the spelling. They are using one of the "code words" for "This is NOT an APA Ameraucana".

As noted by others you will NEVER (well OK, I guess that is a long time who knows what the future holds) find a true Ameraucana at a feed store. But you now know this. And you WON'T find them at MOST of the big hatcheries, no matter how they spell the name. If they aren't sold as a specific color variety, they are NOT APA Ameraucana. And if they are, they cost a whole lot more than the "other" Ameri/au/cana chicks, ie EEs. Lovely birds, I have 4.

Also, if you read through this thread, somewhere you will find posts that tell you REPUTABLE Ameraucana breeders will NOT sell you a "show quality chick" because you can't know if it is show quality until it is much older. Doesn't matter if both parents were multiple blue ribbon winners in the biggest shows. Each chick comes out as it comes out.

Sorry you found out the hard way, as so many do.

 

[samouw]

I would. They need to know that YOU know, and aren't afraid to relate to others, that they are NOT selling what they claim. May or may not make a difference to how they handle themselves but if they have a website where you can comment, frankly *I* would have a hard time not   them


That is where you bought them? This is what they post for the chickens they sell:

[COLOR=22313F]Some of the breeds that will be available may include Wyandottes,[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000FF]Americaunas[/COLOR][COLOR=22313F], Leghorns, Brahma, Cochin, Reds, Orpingtons, Rocks, Stars, Easter Eggers, Australorps, Chantecler, Delaware, Jersey Giants, Orpingtons, Welsummers and many many more over the course of the season.[/COLOR]

Note the spelling. They are using one of the "code words" for "This is NOT an APA Ameraucana".

As noted by others you will NEVER (well OK, I guess that is a long time who knows what the future holds) find a true Ameraucana at a feed store. But you now know this. And you WON'T find them at MOST of the big hatcheries, no matter how they spell the name. If they aren't sold as a specific color variety, they are NOT APA Ameraucana. And if they are, they cost a whole lot more than the "other" Ameri/au/cana chicks, ie EEs. Lovely birds, I have 4.

Also, if you read through this thread, somewhere you will find posts that tell you REPUTABLE Ameraucana breeders will NOT sell you a "show quality chick" because you can't know if it is show quality until it is much older. Doesn't matter if both parents were multiple blue ribbon winners in the biggest shows. Each chick comes out as it comes out. 

Sorry you found out the hard way, as so many do.

Excellent post!

 

[marchick]

Oh no! The one you did the amazing surgery on? How is she this morning??

I lost her this morning. Snow White died in my arms 6 days after her surgery. She was the best little girl! Now to get over this and get ready for rotator cuff surgery monday. I have enough work to keep me buisy for a month. I just have to get it all done in 4 days.

 

[LaPoulet]

...

 


Oh no!  The one you did the amazing surgery on?  How is she this morning??

I lost her this morning.  Snow White died in my arms 6 days after her surgery. She was the best little girl!  Now to get over this and get ready for rotator cuff surgery monday. I have enough work to keep me buisy for a month. I just have to get it all done in 4 days.
[/quote

I'm so sorry for your loss

. I was so hoping she would pull through. Take it easy on that arm. I hope all goes well with your surgery.

 

[marchick]

Oh, No! I'm so sorry

Thank you!