Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[sbucciarel]

I would say they are medium.
They look tiny next to my Orpington eggs. On the scale they average medium weight.

It varies. My Cree Farms hens lay small to medium. My Cree and Rivergait cross hen lays a large.

Thanks.

 

[johnderosa1]

My experience has been that most line of ameraucanas lay eggs in the 1.7 - 2.0 oz range. I have selected for egg size so it is possible to do better than that. I personally only select birds that lay in the 2.0 oz range and currently have a hen that consistently lays a 2.3-2.5 oz egg. Her largest to date has been 2.6 oz. one of her offspring just started laying and is producing eggs in the. 2.2-2.3 oz range already . All that said, you should expect eggs from adult hens to be in that med to close to large range.

 

[jajeanpierre]

I would say they are medium.
They look tiny next to my Orpington eggs. On the scale they average medium weight.

One of my three seven-month old Ameraucanas started laying a two weeks ago. She's has been laying eggs weighing 49 or 50 grams (medium) since the first few smaller eggs. How much larger will it "likely" get by next spring?

 

[jajeanpierre]

My experience has been that most line of ameraucanas lay eggs in the 1.7 - 2.0 oz range. I have selected for egg size so it is possible to do better than that. I personally only select birds that lay in the 2.0 oz range and currently have a hen that consistently lays a 2.3-2.5 oz egg. Her largest to date has been 2.6 oz. one of her offspring just started laying and is producing eggs in the. 2.2-2.3 oz range already . All that said, you should expect eggs from adult hens to be in that med to close to large range.

You have an Ameraucana that regularly lays a Jumbo egg? That is a huge egg!

 

[Angel16]

Don't be sorry, it means large fowl. Versus bantam size....

Thanks!!

 

[johnderosa1]

I would think that the upper limit will be in the 1.9 oz range given the age of your birds. I find that the younger they are when they start laying the smaller the eggs are in comparison to their potential. My birds that started later started much closer to full size. My pullet that just started laying a week ago at 7 months hit 2.2 ounces on her second egg. I would expect her to top out at 2.3-2.5. I have 2 production blue egg layers that started laying at 19-20 weeks about a month ago and their first eggs were only 1.0 oz. they are up to. 1.6 oz now and I am hoping that the will continue to increase in size as they mature

 

[chickenlady099]

Hello all,
I'm posting this here and not the emergency forum because I really want some feedback regarding AM genetics. I have 2 cockerels, a Wheaten and a BW. Ordered eggs and a pullet from a breeder. Several different varieties of eggs. Of these eggs the hatch rate was less than 50% (not incubator, mine are 95% +). These were local eggs so no shipping involved. Out of that 50% hatch rate, there was a 25% fatality. Three had umbilicus problems, and 2 others had other problems, one died and the other may yet. No other chicks died from that hatch (full incubator of 180). Sadly, the incubator isn't mine . I don't have chicks die often. Maybe 1 in 50, so it's not our broody system.

That's the background to the Ameraucana question.

The Am's are VERY small, came from small eggs so the chicks were nearly bantam sized and the surviving BWA has feathered feet. She swears there were no other birds near her hen. I believe her because her operation is immaculate. Is it possible that all of the issues with her eggs are due to the birds being near or beginning molt? I'm committed to getting a pullet from her. Should I be concerned? Do these problems stem from too young of birds or birds entering molt? My AM eggs are all big. (I have AM's from multi-colored flock so have to call them EE's but they are still the same breed). Is it common for WA or BWA to have small eggs, umbilicus problems or feathered feet or leg issues? Deformities, are they from inbreeding?


Size reference : also note the leg. This chick never stood up properly, always balanced funny and flopped over easily. Finally on day 3 it's intestines fell out the umbilicus and it died.

Another (sussex) chick hatched the same day. See that splayed leg for balance?

I appreciate any input here. My chicken experience does not yet include the WA and BWA breed. If these are common problems, I'd like to know now.
Thank you!

did she say they are lf cause there are bantam ams

 

[johnderosa1]

Yes... I have another that lays eggs that average 2.3-2.4 as well. I specifically selected for egg size and so far so good. 2nd generation from these birds are producing eggs 2.0-2.3 as pullets

 

[johnderosa1]

You have an Ameraucana that regularly lays a Jumbo egg?  That is a huge egg!

 

[Phage]

Quote:Hi Hosspak, - glad you found some nice replacement hens, and so quickly!
The upper one looks like a mix of some sort (love the colors), and the lower one is an EE. The green legs and non-standard colors are 2 of several points that make your EE an EE.