Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[CRYSTALCREEK]

The great thing about muffs unlike some of the other traits we cull for is that it is often very visible AT HATCH. This photo illustrates my point. On the left, a chick probably with a single copy for muffs. On the right a very full cheeked chick probably carrying two copies. Front and center, probably a clean faced chick and you could easily cull this chick AT HATCH and sell for a blue egg layer without investing a ton of money in growing it out.

 

[Shaffer]

Crystal,
I just culled a young cockerel that had nice muffs and beard but showed very small wattles. Was told a while back by someone if the bird has double gene for muffs and beard there would not be any wattles.

 

[CRYSTALCREEK]

Here's the guilty party. No wattles, but he's producing clean faced chicks occasionally.

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
If I looked at that I'd think blue orp.

 

[speckledhen]

Had a really nice blue wheaten cockerel who was thought by some to be clean faced at a few weeks old. He turned out to have a very nice beard/muffs, though. I wouldn't cull at hatch, not after having that experience with Levi.

 

[CRYSTALCREEK]

Harry since you've joined us tonight I've got to tell you about these crazy birds. I have three different ages of juveniles in a grow out pen together. They were not socialized in the least because of a change in job responsibilities at work which has really limited my daily contact with these birds. I can walk up to the pen and some will literally fly up and grab the wire with their feet, trying to get closer. If I go in the pen and just squat down for a second, I have 20 birds pecking at my feet, fingers, pants leg, etc. I see now why you say they are TOO FRIENDLY and fear you will step on them and break them! Unbelieveably social little birds. F1 is looking good. Can't wait to see egg color in a couple of months.

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
That was Levi? I remember you posting a funny story about him! He was gorgeous.

 

[CRYSTALCREEK]

Quote:
If I looked at that I'd think blue orp.

I agree. If you think that one looks like an orp, check out this one!

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
If I looked at that I'd think blue orp.

I agree. If you think that one looks like an orp, check out this one!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/53919_dsc_0888.jpg

Ya know, that one really does!

I've noticed that Lavs tend to be a lot bigger than other colors, which tend to be more slender. However I can't find any info on this. ??

 

[CRYSTALCREEK]

Quote:
I have some that hatched Jan 17 so they are 6 weeks old. None of them have any muffs right now and I know good and well they aren't all clean faced. So, no, I don't think you want to cull any six-week old chicks for lack of muffs. They allllll look bad at that age! Whew! They also start picking each other so some that had muffs get picked out. You have to look at about 3 days post hatch, when they are completely dry and fluffy. About the time the egg tooth falls off.