Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I'm tellin ya..I need one of these.  

I hav a cockerel for sale

 

[jajeanpierre]

Mine hatched in March. I really didn't expect them to lay until spring

The first pullet from my Paul Smith birds (hatched mid March, 2013) started laying at five months. The second of the three pullets started laying soon after. The third never did produce eggs for me as she was an internal layer who lived her life out happily until her health started to suffer. (I liked this bird so much I couldn't cull her myself, taking her to the vet to euthanize her.) My birds lay eggs through the winter, but I think that is normal for first-year pullets.

I'm in South Central Texas, so might have more light later than you. You can add some aretificial light. I don't think it has to be much.

I know that Thoroughbred breeding farms put mares under lights when they try to get them to ovulate early (in January rather than when nature intended in late April or May), They only put a 75 to 100 watt bulb over the stall for a few hours a day. That's not a lot of light, considering the stall is 12 x 12 and the ceiling is really high. They bring the mares in from the field in the afternoon before the natural light dims. With mares (and I would expect chickens would react the same way), the light must be continuous for 14.5 to 16 hours a day. They also need a period of time when the days get shorter.

 

[cynstaub]

Joining in!
I acquired what I was told to be an Ameraucana hen. She's lovely but lays green eggs...well, at least more green than blue.
Can a true Ameraucana lay greenish eggs?

 

[Wishapup]

Joining in!
I acquired what I was told to be an Ameraucana hen. She's lovely but lays green eggs...well, at least more green than blue.
Can a true Ameraucana lay greenish eggs?

Welcome! I know true Ameraucana eggs vary in their colour (from shades of blue to greenish) but many chickens called Ameraucanas when they are actually Easter Eggers. Maybe you could post a picture?

 

[cynstaub]

Welcome! I know true Ameraucana eggs vary in their colour (from shades of blue to greenish) but many chickens called Ameraucanas when they are actually Easter Eggers. Maybe you could post a picture?

Good idea. She does look like a lighter version of my EE hen which lays huge blue eggs.
Here's Virginia, my er Ameraucana hen?

 

[Hinotori]

Quote:
I'm sorry. She's an EE. My EEs are some of my very best layers even at 3 years.

 

[cynstaub]

I'm sorry. She's an EE. My EEs are some of my very best layers even at 3 years.

Ha! No matter. She's so sweet...and yes, my EE hen Lady Hawk is an excellent layer!

 

[Wishapup]

Ha! No matter. She's so sweet...and yes, my EE hen Lady Hawk is an excellent layer!

That EE has a very full, beautiful beard!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

The first pullet from my Paul Smith birds (hatched mid March, 2013) started laying at five months.  The second of the three pullets started laying soon after.  The third never did produce eggs for me as she was an internal layer who lived her life out happily until her health started to suffer.  (I liked this bird so much I couldn't cull her myself, taking her to the vet to euthanize her.)  My birds lay eggs through the winter, but I think that is normal for first-year pullets.

I'm in South Central Texas, so might have more light later than you.  You can add some aretificial light.  I don't think it has to be much. 

I know that Thoroughbred breeding farms  put mares under lights when they try to get them to ovulate early (in January rather than when nature intended in late April or May), They only put a 75 to 100 watt bulb over the stall for a few hours a day.  That's not a lot of light, considering the stall is 12 x 12 and the ceiling is really high.  They bring the mares in from the field in the afternoon before the natural light dims.  With mares (and I would expect chickens would react the same way), the light must be continuous for 14.5 to 16 hours a day.  They also need a period of time when the days get shorter.

I am sorry to hear about the Pullet with internal laying. I have only had that happen once and luckily I wasn't very close to her but I still felt awfully bad for her.

I don't use lighting, nor will I start. I wait until they are good and ready. I just posted when mine started Laying because someone asked.

 

[cynstaub]

That EE has a very full, beautiful beard!

Yes she does!