Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[WalnutHill]

They aren't Ameraucana ... YET. The SOP is what regulates that and once the APA accepts the "self blue" those "project birds" will become Ameraucana overnight

I do love my slate legged, bearded, muffed lavender Easter Eggers!

 

[Sylvester017]

They aren't Ameraucana ... YET. The SOP is what regulates that and once the APA accepts the "self blue" those "project birds" will become Ameraucana overnight

Did you get to the manager @Sylvester017 ? Is "feed barn" a chain? I suspect if it is a big chain, there is nothing the local staff can do to fix the problem other than to get the "religion" of APA breeds vs non breeds but really popular and take it "upstairs". If they get their birds from a big hatchery that lies about what they are selling, the store is going to use that same name.

It's an independent feed store catering to it's farmy livestock customers and yes, I've spoken to the manager-owner too. There's only one knowledgeable part-time student employee who knows the difference but then he's not the owner or manager so nothing changes. The chick stock comes from Belt Hatchery and sometimes the employees can't tell the breeds apart. Most of their customers just want meat birds or backyard layers with assorted egg colors and don't understand the differences between hybrid, crossbreed, or purebreed chickens. It's just frustrating when the bulk of employees don't know the difference between the breeds in their pens. The birds from Belt Hatchery are mostly nice. In fairness to the feed store (but who really SHOULD KNOW BETTER BY NOW) Belt Hatchery sells "Ameraucanas" and in the description says "commonly" known as Easter Eggers! So, the feed stores feel justified to continue the mis-leading labels!

 

[FowlStuff]

They aren't Ameraucana ... YET. The SOP is what regulates that and once the APA accepts the "self blue" those "project birds" will become Ameraucana overnight

Lavender Ameraucanas are Ameraucanas by definition...always have been since I created them over a decade ago. The Standard dictates which varieties are recognized/accepted within a breed, but whether a true breeding variety is recognized or not doesn't mean a chicken is not that breed.

Ameraucana breed description and meets a variety (color) description or breeds true at least 50% of the time, whether the variety is recognized or not. There are actually two breeds of Ameraucana: bantam and large fowl.

 

[WalnutHill]

Lavender Ameraucanas are Ameraucanas by definition...always have been since I created them over a decade ago. The Standard dictates which varieties are recognized/accepted within a breed, but whether a true breeding variety is recognized or not doesn't mean a chicken is not that breed.

That makes me feel much better. I stopped breeding my own birds for anything other than fun colors and blue eggs as it's much easier to create great EEs than great Ameraucanas. I really like the handful of standard-breds I do have, and if I raise a great cockerel from next year's shipped eggs I may breed Lavenders. Most of my attention, though, is invested in my turkeys. I am close to having my own named color variety.

 

[Melissa Sakata]

I understand your frustration. I see that a lot and it can, seemingly, distract from the point of this thread.

However, having said that, I also know how frustrating it is to buy what you think are Ameraucanas, only to learn - here and other places - that what you've paid hard-earned bucks for is not what you thought, hoped, prayed, they would be.

I've been there and I know many of the folks that have been breeding Ameraucanas for years, have been there, too.  So, where do you go when you want to figure out what you've got?  To a site like this, and to a thread like this, where, hopefully, someone will give you the rundown on what you've actually got.  It's just part of what this thread, and so many sites on Facebook, are here for.

There are quite a few very experienced breeders here, most of whom are ready and willing to express their opinion on what you have - mostly without flames.   And there are a lot of new folks coming into this breed that want to learn, study, and be mentored by those experienced breeders.  Let's face it - while a picture may be worth a thousand words, not even a thousand words can fully described what you've got in your coops like a picture can.

So, let the pics be posted and let the education continue.

BRAVO!!! Thank you! It can be so frustrating to brand new backyard chicken enthusiasts to have someone be soooo condescending, not to mention rude. We ARE here to learn from those willing to have the patience to answer our questions and concerns. Needed to get that off my chest! This is NOT the 1st post I have read from a newbie wanting to leave this sight due to rudeness! Thanks!!

 

[Chicken5555]

The thing I love about these is that the EEs that you find that are so pretty can be turned into project birds if you find enough that are similar in appearance and feel up to the fun of breeding. I think it would be awesome to start a laced project, but I'm so limited on space.

That would be so cool. If I didn't already have so much going on I'd volunteer.

 

[bruceha2000]

Quote:
Hmmm, that OR is very interesting. Thanks for pointing it out.

If I understand my native language (complicated as it is) that means any bird that meets the standard description with a recognized color doesn't even have to breed 50% true. Obviously someone serious about breeding them would not find that acceptable in their breeders, too many "throw aways" but they could be shown just the same.

And ANY color is fine IF it breeds true 50%.

Yes very curious.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

I have a question for all you fine folks (again, heehee). Is there any way to tell wheatens from blue wheatens at hatch? I know it can be very difficult with pullets, but I'm going to be getting (I hope) a BW cockerel and 2 BW pullets next week, but they'll probably all be less than 3 weeks old, so I was wondering if you have some tips to help me figure it who is who with those. Any pics would be very helpful, as I'm a visual learner

Also, I love chick pics!!

 

[junebuggena]

I have a question for all you fine folks (again, heehee). Is there any way to tell wheatens from blue wheatens at hatch? I know it can be very difficult with pullets, but I'm going to be getting (I hope) a BW cockerel and 2 BW pullets next week, but they'll probably all be less than 3 weeks old, so I was wondering if you have some tips to help me figure it who is who with those. Any pics would be very helpful, as I'm a visual learner

Also, I love chick pics!!

No. The differences between the varieties can only be seen once the bird is feathered in.

 

[WalnutHill]

Hmmm, that OR is very interesting. Thanks for pointing it out.

If I understand my native language (complicated as it is) that means any bird that meets the standard description with a recognized color doesn't even have to breed 50% true. Obviously someone serious about breeding them would not find that acceptable in their breeders, too many "throw aways" but they could be shown just the same.

And ANY color is fine IF it breeds true 50%.

Yes very curious.

The reason for the 50% is that some color genetics are complex enough that breeding two of the same may result in three colors (or even more). Blue is one such color, from what I understand. Two blues bred together should hatch out at least half blues. Other colors should yield 100% the same color.