Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[FowlStuff]

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.

All recognized/accepted varieties do breed true at least 50% of the time, so that same rule applies to varieties that aren't recognized.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

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

If they're about two weeks old, would I be able to tell a little more easily? They should at least have a couple tail feathers starting, right?

 

[junebuggena]

If they're about two weeks old, would I be able to tell a little more easily? They should at least have a couple tail feathers starting, right?

Cockerels should be easier to see the differences. With pullets, it's not until they are pretty much done feathering in that you can see the black, blue, or splash in the primary wing feathers.

 

[saraem]

I hate to interrupt this thread for this as I know it's probably not the place, but I'm getting increasingly desperate to find hatching eggs locally. I've checked all the channels I know and am coming up empty handed. Looking for a breeder in the Atlanta area (Wheaten is my first choice but at this point I'm flexible)...if anyone could PM me info I would be so greatly appreciative.

Was going to buy from Muddy Feathers and still may if I can't find locally, but we're going with an incubator that only fits 7 and I'm worried about hatch rate and sex split with such small numbers.

 

[FowlStuff]

I hate to interrupt this thread for this as I know it's probably not the place, but I'm getting increasingly desperate to find hatching eggs locally. I've checked all the channels I know and am coming up empty handed. Looking for a breeder in the Atlanta area (Wheaten is my first choice but at this point I'm flexible)...if anyone could PM me info I would be so greatly appreciative.

Was going to buy from Muddy Feathers and still may if I can't find locally, but we're going with an incubator that only fits 7 and I'm worried about hatch rate and sex split with such small numbers.

Check out the Ameraucana Directory, but it really is the wrong time of year for most breeders to have breeding pens set up for hatching eggs and day-old chicks. It is generally done in late winter/spring, as in nature.
Good luck.

 

[samouw]

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

Self-blues are a non-recognized variety of Ameraucana, just like splash and splash wheaten. They're still Ameraucana, just not, as yet, a recognized variety. They can be shown, as Ameraucanas, just cannot compete at the breed or above levels.

 

[WalnutHill]

Self-blues are a non-recognized variety of Ameraucana, just like splash and splash wheaten.  They're still Ameraucana, just not, as yet, a recognized variety. They can be shown, as Ameraucanas, just cannot compete at the breed or above levels.

So please help me with this. If I bred a true breeding laced bird that met Ameraucana specifications other than color, I could call it a non-recognized variety? And if popular, I could apply for APA recognition and could show as Ameraucana regardless?

I bred some lovely black laced birds last year. Slate shanks, great muffs and beards, pea combs.

 

[Ravynscroft]

So please help me with this. If I bred a true breeding laced bird that met Ameraucana specifications other than color, I could call it a non-recognized variety? And if popular, I could apply for APA recognition and could show as Ameraucana regardless?

I bred some lovely black laced birds last year. Slate shanks, great muffs and beards, pea combs.

Theoretically, yes... usually the new variety is started as a 'project'... once it is well into development, you'll need several interested parties to help your project achieve the desired results...

Susan knows the exact details and steps towards acceptance, but I do believe the hardest issues are that you (or at least your helpers) need to be APA members for 5 years and breeding the project 'true' for 5 years and there has to be at least 5 APA members that are the involved willing to promote and show said variety... and then it needs to be petitioned to the APA for acceptance which cost $300 for that alone...

There's more to it, but Susan knows those parts much better than me... it involves meets and shows, placing of the birds of that variety, etc...

That help answer your question?

 

[saraem]

Check out the Ameraucana Directory, but it really is the wrong time of year for most breeders to have breeding pens set up for hatching eggs and day-old chicks.  It is generally done in late winter/spring, as in nature.
Good luck.

Thank you, I have, but the only person in my state didn't work out. We unexpectedly lost two of our already small flock recently, so that is why I'm trying to do this at an such an inopportune time.

 

[samouw]

Theoretically, yes... usually the new variety is started as a 'project'... once it is well into development, you'll need several interested parties to help your project achieve the desired results...

Susan knows the exact details and steps towards acceptance, but I do believe the hardest issues are that you (or at least your helpers) need to be APA members for 5 years and breeding the project 'true' for 5 years and there has to be at least 5 APA members that are the involved willing to promote and show said variety... and then it needs to be petitioned to the APA for acceptance which cost $300 for that alone...

There's more to it, but Susan knows those parts much better than me... it involves meets and shows, placing of the birds of that variety, etc...

That help answer your question?

Yep, you nailed it. It can take up to 7-10 years from start to finish to get a new variety recognized. First you have to have the five breeders, all APA members, breeding them for five consecutive years. Then, for two consecutive years, you have to show that at least 4 cockerels-4 pullets-4 hens-4 cocks have been shown at one APA sanctioned show/per year, with APA judges. Once that is complete, you can submit your petition, along with a non-refundable check for $300 and affidavits from the five APA member breeders, to the APA Standards committee for approval and, if accepted, they will set the qualifying meets - one per year for two consecutive years. At the qualifying meets, at least 5-5-5-5 have to be shown by APA members and judged by APA judges. The judges submit their reports and the APA then decides whether to include them in the Standard or not.

The APA members do not have to be a member of any other specialty breed club; any APA member can start the ball rolling. However, it is probably easier for a well-established breed club to support the effort - both financially and logistically - then for someone to do it on their own.

Edited to add - obviously, they can be entered and shown all during this process, as Ameraucanas, but cannot compete at the Breed level or higher, eg. they can win Best of Variety or Reserve Best of Variety, but no higher. Once accepted in the Standard, then they can compete against the other varieties for Best of Breed and higher awards.