Would this conversation translate to bantams as well? I find they don't have many breeders either.
Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds
- Thread starter hcammack
- Start date
Hens and Roos
Songster
Quote:
We got a couple of young pullets from him last year as he isn't to far from where we live because our wheaten rooster needed some friends- we hatched out eggs earlier this year and had no problems. Is it heavy feathering or what would be considered stubbs? Did you ask him about the possiblity-maybe something jumped the fence
We got a couple of young pullets from him last year as he isn't to far from where we live because our wheaten rooster needed some friends- we hatched out eggs earlier this year and had no problems. Is it heavy feathering or what would be considered stubbs? Did you ask him about the possiblity-maybe something jumped the fence
This may be the wrong place to ask but I've been scrolling back through this thread and I'm getting more and more confused. I hatched 2 Blue, 3 Black, and 2 Splash Ameraucanas on Easter weekend. I see that folks are talking about crossing various Ameraucana colors to improve the quality of Ameraucanas (feathers, egg colour, size, etc) of various colors. I always assumed crossing the colors meant you ended up with an "Easter Egger". (I have a bunch of those too.) So now I'm wondering, how does one end up with an EE in the first place (short of breeding EE to EE)? Is the title "Ameraucana" and "Easter Egger" granted based on feather color and egg color? One of my EEs eggs hatched a beautiful little pure black chick with black legs and muffs (both parents have green legs). Indistinguishable from my true black Ameraucanas. And I have another EE hen that is indistinguishable from a Wheaten Ameraucana although her legs are green and her comb is wrong. And she produced 2 perfect little carbon copies of her wheaten green legged self when crossed with an EE roo.
I guess my real question is - where can I go to find more detailed information on Ameraucanas? I've looked at Ameraucana.org. They don't go into much detail there. (I'm Canadian. Ameraucanas AND Easter Eggers seem to be relatively new here. Can't find any shows at all that have classes for either.) I would really like to learn more about breeding true Ameraucanas.
One of my beautiful little blue babies
I guess my real question is - where can I go to find more detailed information on Ameraucanas? I've looked at Ameraucana.org. They don't go into much detail there. (I'm Canadian. Ameraucanas AND Easter Eggers seem to be relatively new here. Can't find any shows at all that have classes for either.) I would really like to learn more about breeding true Ameraucanas.
One of my beautiful little blue babies
Quote:
Actually, this is EXACTLY the place to ask such a question.
I'll do the best I can....
Folks are breeding the lavenders with the blacks to make improvements in the lavenders because the blacks seem to have the best of all the things that need to be improved in the lavs, and because it's obvious which chicks are lavenders and which are blacks. (It can be harder to tell between splashes or blues and lavenders). Also, lavender is recessive, so any color you breed a lavender bird to will visually be the dominant color, but will carry lavender (a "split"). Unlike if you bred a brown red to a wheaten, in which case you would end up with a mess (non recognized color, therefore an EE).
Basically, the rule of thumb is: Right comb, right leg color, right feather color, right egg color, AND the same is true for both parents = Ameraucana. If any of those things are lacking = EE.
Also, any time I have a true Ameraucana that I've decided should not be used for breeding, I sell them as either an EE or as a layer and specify to the buyer that they should NOT be used for breeding. What they do after that is on them.
This is probably the best place on the internet for this type of information, since the club site is reserved for true Ameraucanas. As far as shows, you won't find classes for EEs, and you should not. An "EE" can be SO many things, and they are usually mix breeds, that may or may not carry the blue egg gene (I have 2 EEs that do NOT lay blue or green eggs, but they have muffs/beards and slate legs). For true Ameraucanas, large fowl are in the A.O.S.B. class, and bantams are A.O.C.C.L. class. Any show should have those classes, if they don't something is VERY wrong, and you should complain to those running the show, as there would be A LOT of birds left out if that is the case, not just Ameraucanas.
Hope that helps.
Actually, this is EXACTLY the place to ask such a question.
Folks are breeding the lavenders with the blacks to make improvements in the lavenders because the blacks seem to have the best of all the things that need to be improved in the lavs, and because it's obvious which chicks are lavenders and which are blacks. (It can be harder to tell between splashes or blues and lavenders). Also, lavender is recessive, so any color you breed a lavender bird to will visually be the dominant color, but will carry lavender (a "split"). Unlike if you bred a brown red to a wheaten, in which case you would end up with a mess (non recognized color, therefore an EE).
Basically, the rule of thumb is: Right comb, right leg color, right feather color, right egg color, AND the same is true for both parents = Ameraucana. If any of those things are lacking = EE.
Also, any time I have a true Ameraucana that I've decided should not be used for breeding, I sell them as either an EE or as a layer and specify to the buyer that they should NOT be used for breeding. What they do after that is on them.
This is probably the best place on the internet for this type of information, since the club site is reserved for true Ameraucanas. As far as shows, you won't find classes for EEs, and you should not. An "EE" can be SO many things, and they are usually mix breeds, that may or may not carry the blue egg gene (I have 2 EEs that do NOT lay blue or green eggs, but they have muffs/beards and slate legs). For true Ameraucanas, large fowl are in the A.O.S.B. class, and bantams are A.O.C.C.L. class. Any show should have those classes, if they don't something is VERY wrong, and you should complain to those running the show, as there would be A LOT of birds left out if that is the case, not just Ameraucanas.
Hope that helps.
Quote:
Actually, this is EXACTLY the place to ask such a question.
I'll do the best I can....
Folks are breeding the lavenders with the blacks to make improvements in the lavenders because the blacks seem to have the best of all the things that need to be improved in the lavs, and because it's obvious which chicks are lavenders and which are blacks. (It can be harder to tell between splashes or blues and lavenders). Also, lavender is recessive, so any color you breed a lavender bird to will visually be the dominant color, but will carry lavender (a "split"). Unlike if you bred a brown red to a wheaten, in which case you would end up with a mess (non recognized color, therefore an EE).
Basically, the rule of thumb is: Right comb, right leg color, right feather color, right egg color, AND the same is true for both parents = Ameraucana. If any of those things are lacking = EE.
Also, any time I have a true Ameraucana that I've decided should not be used for breeding, I sell them as either an EE or as a layer and specify to the buyer that they should NOT be used for breeding. What they do after that is on them.
This is probably the best place on the internet for this type of information, since the club site is reserved for true Ameraucanas. As far as shows, you won't find classes for EEs, and you should not. An "EE" can be SO many things, and they are usually mix breeds, that may or may not carry the blue egg gene (I have 2 EEs that do NOT lay blue or green eggs, but they have muffs/beards and slate legs). For true Ameraucanas, large fowl are in the A.O.S.B. class, and bantams are A.O.C.C.L. class. Any show should have those classes, if they don't something is VERY wrong, and you should complain to those running the show, as there would be A LOT of birds left out if that is the case, not just Ameraucanas.
Hope that helps.
Helps VERY much. Thank you.
As far as I know, poultry shows here in Ontario still lag FAR behind. Many breeds are not represented including Ameraucanas and Araucanas. Perhaps someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Perhaps we have to show up with the birds and enter them in order to be represented? But I would worry that the judges may not know what is valued in Ameraucanas?
Another question I have (as I have to decide which males to keep and which eggs to hatch in the future) ... are slate legs preferred in all color varieties of Ameraucanas including Wheaten and White, etc? (Both my Splashes have green legs - and I am aware that Splash is not an official Ameraucana colour at this point) and one of my Blues has slate legs, green toes (my favorite, unfortunately). This is a fault, I assume? Other Blue has slate from top to bottom.
Actually, this is EXACTLY the place to ask such a question.
Folks are breeding the lavenders with the blacks to make improvements in the lavenders because the blacks seem to have the best of all the things that need to be improved in the lavs, and because it's obvious which chicks are lavenders and which are blacks. (It can be harder to tell between splashes or blues and lavenders). Also, lavender is recessive, so any color you breed a lavender bird to will visually be the dominant color, but will carry lavender (a "split"). Unlike if you bred a brown red to a wheaten, in which case you would end up with a mess (non recognized color, therefore an EE).
Basically, the rule of thumb is: Right comb, right leg color, right feather color, right egg color, AND the same is true for both parents = Ameraucana. If any of those things are lacking = EE.
Also, any time I have a true Ameraucana that I've decided should not be used for breeding, I sell them as either an EE or as a layer and specify to the buyer that they should NOT be used for breeding. What they do after that is on them.
This is probably the best place on the internet for this type of information, since the club site is reserved for true Ameraucanas. As far as shows, you won't find classes for EEs, and you should not. An "EE" can be SO many things, and they are usually mix breeds, that may or may not carry the blue egg gene (I have 2 EEs that do NOT lay blue or green eggs, but they have muffs/beards and slate legs). For true Ameraucanas, large fowl are in the A.O.S.B. class, and bantams are A.O.C.C.L. class. Any show should have those classes, if they don't something is VERY wrong, and you should complain to those running the show, as there would be A LOT of birds left out if that is the case, not just Ameraucanas.
Hope that helps.
Helps VERY much. Thank you.
As far as I know, poultry shows here in Ontario still lag FAR behind. Many breeds are not represented including Ameraucanas and Araucanas. Perhaps someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Perhaps we have to show up with the birds and enter them in order to be represented? But I would worry that the judges may not know what is valued in Ameraucanas?
Another question I have (as I have to decide which males to keep and which eggs to hatch in the future) ... are slate legs preferred in all color varieties of Ameraucanas including Wheaten and White, etc? (Both my Splashes have green legs - and I am aware that Splash is not an official Ameraucana colour at this point) and one of my Blues has slate legs, green toes (my favorite, unfortunately). This is a fault, I assume? Other Blue has slate from top to bottom.
Quote:
Unfortunately, the green is a no-no. I'd be questioning what's in the lineage of those particular birds. And if the blue you have with slate legs is from the same source, know that you may see unwanted traits pop up in the future. The blue with all slate legs is the ONLY one I would use, and MAYBE (only if there are no other options) keep the other blue boy for a back up, ONLY for use if something happens to the other one. All varieties should have slate legs, except black which should have black legs. Green is never an accepted leg color of Ameraucanas.
Usually for a show, the group that puts it on puts out a premium book weeks before hand, which includes all of the pertinent info about the show, as well as who to contact with questions, etc. It is then that you fill out your entry forms, etc. You usually can't just show up at a show with your birds and expect them to be eligible for the show. The group sponsoring the show has to know well in advance how many cages, how to arrange classes, make coop cards, etc. It's a lot of work, so there is usually a cut-off date for entries to be accepted. I'm sure the Ameraucanas and Araucanas have not been represented simply because nobody has them where you are. I say enter them and show them. You know you'll get Best of Breed anyway!!
Unfortunately, the green is a no-no. I'd be questioning what's in the lineage of those particular birds. And if the blue you have with slate legs is from the same source, know that you may see unwanted traits pop up in the future. The blue with all slate legs is the ONLY one I would use, and MAYBE (only if there are no other options) keep the other blue boy for a back up, ONLY for use if something happens to the other one. All varieties should have slate legs, except black which should have black legs. Green is never an accepted leg color of Ameraucanas.
Usually for a show, the group that puts it on puts out a premium book weeks before hand, which includes all of the pertinent info about the show, as well as who to contact with questions, etc. It is then that you fill out your entry forms, etc. You usually can't just show up at a show with your birds and expect them to be eligible for the show. The group sponsoring the show has to know well in advance how many cages, how to arrange classes, make coop cards, etc. It's a lot of work, so there is usually a cut-off date for entries to be accepted. I'm sure the Ameraucanas and Araucanas have not been represented simply because nobody has them where you are. I say enter them and show them. You know you'll get Best of Breed anyway!!
Quote:
Hello Everyone,
this is my first time writing....been busy reading the thread from the beginning and learning like crazy. Will be getting my first chicks at the end of May. (fingers crossed).
Jeremy, IF someone did cross the Faverolles with Ameraucunas, you might also get five toes....
Hello Everyone,
this is my first time writing....been busy reading the thread from the beginning and learning like crazy. Will be getting my first chicks at the end of May. (fingers crossed).
Jeremy, IF someone did cross the Faverolles with Ameraucunas, you might also get five toes....
Quote:
The "Best of Breed" thing is exactly what I'm worried about! I'd like to know that my birds really ARE quality and not just the only ones that entered!
The eggs were sold to me as "working on show quality" so she didn't misrepresent the eggs at all. I'm a sucker for the Blues. If I were to "work" on anything, Blue is what I'd work on. (She is busy working on Lavender right now - also not an official color, I know - but I would assume that those working on Splash and Lavender are going for slate legs in addition to the other qualities required?) I'm not far from the US border so I might just have to start paying more attention to what's going on with Ameraucanas in Michigan and Ohio. I could easily transport hatching eggs from there myself.
Thank you!
The eggs were sold to me as "working on show quality" so she didn't misrepresent the eggs at all. I'm a sucker for the Blues. If I were to "work" on anything, Blue is what I'd work on. (She is busy working on Lavender right now - also not an official color, I know - but I would assume that those working on Splash and Lavender are going for slate legs in addition to the other qualities required?) I'm not far from the US border so I might just have to start paying more attention to what's going on with Ameraucanas in Michigan and Ohio. I could easily transport hatching eggs from there myself.
Thank you!
Quote:
The "Best of Breed" thing is exactly what I'm worried about! I'd like to know that my birds really ARE quality and not just the only ones that entered!
The eggs were sold to me as "working on show quality" so she didn't misrepresent the eggs at all. I'm a sucker for the Blues. If I were to "work" on anything, Blue is what I'd work on. (She is busy working on Lavender right now - also not an official color, I know - but I would assume that those working on Splash and Lavender are going for slate legs in addition to the other qualities required?) I'm not far from the US border so I might just have to start paying more attention to what's going on with Ameraucanas in Michigan and Ohio. I could easily transport hatching eggs from there myself.
Thank you!
yeah I know, it's hard to get excited about "best of" anything, when you're the only one!!
Well, if she's "working on show quality" then what she has isn't. I would definitely recommend trying to find something else...let me tell you from experience, it SUCKS when you realize the birds you have aren't what you really want, and it's going to take A LOT more time AND money to get where you need to be, and you have to start completely over from scratch. I did that with my large fowl Faverolles about a year ago, and I am SO happy I did, it has made ALL the difference in the world. It was a hard decision to make, but it was the right thing to do - if I had kept the original flock, my birds would be nowhere near as nice as the ones I have now are.....
The eggs were sold to me as "working on show quality" so she didn't misrepresent the eggs at all. I'm a sucker for the Blues. If I were to "work" on anything, Blue is what I'd work on. (She is busy working on Lavender right now - also not an official color, I know - but I would assume that those working on Splash and Lavender are going for slate legs in addition to the other qualities required?) I'm not far from the US border so I might just have to start paying more attention to what's going on with Ameraucanas in Michigan and Ohio. I could easily transport hatching eggs from there myself.
Thank you!
yeah I know, it's hard to get excited about "best of" anything, when you're the only one!!
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