Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Angela,

I use a clip board in each coop. Taking notes and having good records is your first line of defense against repeats. It is easier to track down if you keep good records. I have a chicken tracker on an excel file if you like I can send it.
Since you do not really know this groups history and lines, you should contact the breeder (seller) and get as much information as you can.
Cull out the DQ's and those that have obvious non breeder qualities
Get out your SOP and copy a few pictures you like, blow them up and put them in the coop.
I would make a plan with each individual bird. Note the good and bad.
Take a picture of each bird and compare it to the SOP and pictures you have.
Structure is more important than color, however, don't cull a perfect color either..you might be able to use it in a project somewhere down the road.
The most important thing you can do is have someone look at your birds. Someone who shows them and knows by looking, who are the keepers. Keep in mind bio security and take precautions if you choose this route.

The clip boards are a great idea. I have pieces of paper for each pen with feeding instructions that I am going to get laminated and hang on each pens door. This way if I go somewhere and need to have a family member or friend feed them for me they can just look on the door and know what to do.

 

[delisha]

Great job

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Hi everyone! My daughter and I have been raising and showing chickens for 3 years now, and I finally settled down on a breed. I purchased a nearby entire flock of black Ameraucanas (love my blue hen I've had for years!) and am going to take the plunge into breeding (only purchased birds before this). I'm starting from a pretty good place - 3 hens, 4 promising pullets, 1 cock, 1 great-looking cockerel (and 4 bound for freezer-camp cockerels), and about 40-odd chicks in the growing out phase. Several of the older birds have won Grand or Reserve AOSB in previous years. My roo's carriage is a bit too upright, but the new cockerel is looking better in that respect. Evidently someone in the flock is throwing a cuckoo gene around, but I'm not sure who. Will try to cull for color, after type.

Just thought I'd introduce myself, and subscribe to the thread. My goal is to cull down to 2 or 3 trios, overwinter with a small number, and start with one hatch a year (probably December?), growing out the chicks through summer and fall. I've got 2 generations now, so will go mother/son or father/daughter for my first try this winter, right?

I am looking for some good basic breeding information. Does anyone have a book or website(s) that they can recommend for the first-time serious breeder? I live in an urban area, so are only allowed 6 hens (I may stretch that number at times), but luckily have friends & family willing to host my roos and chicks. I just don't have a lot of wiggle room (can't breed like crazy) so I want to be sure I'm doing it smart.

Thanks in advance!

Angela

Those are GREAT questions and you've gotten some really good answers. A friend of mine, GaryDean26 recently pointed me to a few resources; I haven't had the time to read through them yet but it might be worth bookmarking them and thinking about these methods.

Breeding and Culling by Head Points he has used this system and was surprised at the marked improvement in his flock.

Hogan Method of Culling

Traditional Culling Methods


He also shared these, which are two different ways to line breed. If you can't read the text look them up online, the first one is called the Atkinson Line Breeding Chart, and the second is called the Felch Line Breeding Chart.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Angela,

I use a clip board in each coop. Taking notes and having good records is your first line of defense against repeats. It is easier to track down if you keep good records. I have a chicken tracker on an excel file if you like I can send it.
Since you do not really know this groups history and lines, you should contact the breeder (seller) and get as much information as you can.
Cull out the DQ's and those that have obvious non breeder qualities
Get out your SOP and copy a few pictures you like, blow them up and put them in the coop.
I would make a plan with each individual bird. Note the good and bad.
Take a picture of each bird and compare it to the SOP and pictures you have.
Structure is more important than color, however, don't cull a perfect color either..you might be able to use it in a project somewhere down the road.
The most important thing you can do is have someone look at your birds. Someone who shows them and knows by looking, who are the keepers. Keep in mind bio security and take precautions if you choose this route.

I've decided that if I do breed, I want to concentrate on blues and splash. I'm tempted to try lavender, since I love the color and have a lavender pullet but think I'll start with one color combination and go from there.

All my Ameraucanas are almost 3.5 months old. When do I start evaluating them? How do I go about finding someone to look at my birds. I'm still iffy about the breeding aspect, so might let the cockerels I have now go to freezer camp and wait until next year. I haven't looked at their toe punches, so don't know how closely related the blue splash pullet, blue splash cockerel or blue cockerel are.

At three to four months, what do I look for? Does the color change?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[speckledhen]

Haven't been on this thread in ages. I have three pure BBS Ameraucanas still with me, out of Cree Farms in Washington State. Gypsy, the black hen, will be 6 years old in November. Nora, the blue, and Snow, the splash, are over 5 years old as well. Those last two are currently laying, believe it or not, though Nora's eggs are pretty much bantam size and her chicks haven't been surviving until hatch when I incubate of late. Gypsy was laying a month or so ago, but quit to do a 3rd molt. (what is up with multiple molts this year???) Nora has had some crop issues, but she is fiesty and dominant in the main flock and a favorite of my Delaware rooster (poor little hen-he's a big boy).

They are wonderful hens, friendly, gorgeous and obviously have good longevity. I'll need some new photos of these awesome three hens. They've been a joy to have here.

 

[bamitsbrittany]

I was told she was an Ameraucana. I am new to the chicken world. What do you all think? You cannot see in this shot but she does have gray legs, and her tail is like green when the light hits it. Iridescent.

Thanks!
-Brittany

 

[Angelicisi]

How old is 'she'? Very pretty, the comb looks a bit roo-ish to me, but I'm new to this myself! I'm thinking she's an EE (ameraucana mix?) Does she lay green or blue eggs? My EE has her pattern but less defined- (yours is very striking) and has slate legs. But lays a light tinted greenish egg and her pattern isn't recognized on the accepted colors list. But like I said I'm new to this myself! Everyday I learn multiple new things

I was told she was an Ameraucana. I am new to the chicken world. What do you all think? You cannot see in this shot but she does have gray legs, and her tail is like green when the light hits it. Iridescent. Thanks! -Brittany

 

[delisha]

Quote: Good decision to start with one color.
Good decision to do some research and ask for advise.
If you breed just blues, you will get BBS(Blue Black Splash).
The best thing you can do is join the APA and Ameracuana club. Buy a copy of the SOP.(Standard of Perfection). Do some reading and research. Compare pictures of show quality birds and what you have. It is never too early to simply just enjoy your birds and watch them.
Make a list of your toe punches and colors. Note things you like about them and don't like.
The Ameracuana club have listing of highly qualified people and some could live close to you. One might even be a neighbor. Go to some shows in your area. (you will find the list on the bottom of my signature).
Talk with local breeders at the show.
Color changes all the time with molts and maturity. Many times it gets better with age and development. Same with faults, they become more apparent with age.
You can look for DQ's as they age and note them to ask a breeder his/her opinion.
You will find a list of DQ's in the SOP.
I hope this helps and points you in the right direction.

 

[bamitsbrittany]

How old is 'she'? Very pretty, the comb looks a bit roo-ish to me, but I'm new to this myself! I'm thinking she's an EE (ameraucana mix?) Does she lay green or blue eggs? My EE has her pattern but less defined- (yours is very striking) and has slate legs. But lays a light tinted greenish egg and her pattern isn't recognized on the accepted colors list. But like I said I'm new to this myself! Everyday I learn multiple new things

Oh I hope to god she isnt a boy. lol She isnt laying yet... about 4 months old. Its possible she is mixed. She was given to me as a baby. I cant have boys because boys=Babies and husband says no. She is my favorite chicken!! I would be so bummed! I was told she was supposed to lay pretty eggs. =] lol Thanks for your input! Lets cross our fingers she doesnt start crowing! ahha I just had my silikie/polish start crowing yesterday.

-Brittany =]

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote: Hello and

and Welcome to the joys of having chickens. I love mine and I really love the fresh eggs, I hope I don't ever have to go back to eating store bought eggs

She is very pretty, but she doesn't look like an Ameraucana. Closest would be a Silver, but I don't see the correct chest pattern. At 4 months old that is a small comb for a boy - so I would guess girl. You can bring her over hear and brag: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/273489/the-ee-braggers-thread/12020#post_11613138 That is a very striking color combination!

Please tell your husband that boys + girls do not = babies for birds unless they go broody AND you let them set on the eggs for 21 days. If you don't want chicks then collect the eggs. I never had any of my Easter Eggers go broody - but the Silkies will...