Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[HappyChickadee]

Thank you all! They are so adorable. I knew when I got them that they were most likely EE's but strangely enough I sure could not find an EE at TSC or Atwoods for the life of me! I knew you guys would be able to let me know. Thanks.

 

[Alaskan]

I know the answer... but thought that I would ask anyway...


I finally got my first egg....


and it is not what I would call a true blue...


from what I understand, my life is over, the hen that laid it should be tossed into a stew pot.... and I need to start over..... RIGHT?

 

[rainbowchick]

I know the answer... but thought that I would ask anyway...


I finally got my first egg....


and it is not what I would call a true blue...


from what I understand, my life is over, the hen that laid it should be tossed into a stew pot.... and I need to start over.....  RIGHT?

Not at all. If you look at the Ameraucana egg color chart, you'd see that many common egg colors are much more green (or much lighter) than people think of for Ameraucanas. From what I've read, it's more important to focus on type and color before worrying about what you want your egg color to be.

 

[Alaskan]

hummm, well, the ones I have are truly spot on with everything except for wing carriage (too low, not horizontal).

It is just that I ended up with only the one and only girl... I can't find any one to ship me more eggs.... so I am stuck with only one female to make a flock with.....

The result is that she is one very expensive girl, and at almost one year of age has finally laid her first egg... and it isn't a pure blue, so a major disappointment.

 

[johnderosa1]

I know the answer... but thought that I would ask anyway...


I finally got my first egg....


and it is not what I would call a true blue...


from what I understand, my life is over, the hen that laid it should be tossed into a stew pot.... and I need to start over.....  RIGHT?

One persons blue is another persons green.. Type and color matter.... Egg color is very subjective and if you look at the egg color chart there are many shades of blue/green that are listed. I would only worry if the egg was a true green or brown... Other than that no worries. I have yet to see a saturated pure blue in any ameraucana egg. Even from those that advertise beautiful turquoise blue eggs. They all have a blue/green tint. I have seen some very pale pure blue eggs though.

 

[rainbowchick]

Like I said, it shouldn't be a disappointment. Do a google image search for Ameraucana egg color chart and you will see what I mean.
Also, you are less like to have "true blue" eggs based on the color of your bird. Blacks typically have good egg color, whereas Lavenders typically need improvements in egg color. What color is yours?
Did you hatch these yourself? If so, what color were the eggs?

 

[Alaskan]

I shipped the eggs in, the eggs were a very nice blue color.

These are Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas. The two boys and one girl are gorgeous, very nice show quality/close to SOP.

So, I am not quite sure why the egg she laid isn't as good as the egg she hatched from.

 

[Percheron chick]

It is my understanding that blues should not be crossed with wheatens or blue wheatens. Blues can be crossed with blues, blacks or splashes, and wheatens can be crossed with wheaten or blue wheaten. Some people cross with splash wheatens too, but it sounds like splash wheaten is not yet an accepted variety. If you cross the blue to a wheaten variety, you will create Easter Eggers because their colors will not come out properly, they will not breed true. Many people would consider them mutts. I was bummed to hear this as I thought I could cross my lovely blue boy to my wheaten girl. I now have no use for him. Thought it would make blue wheatens, nope. I think you can, but it's a LOT more work than it's worth. Something that was done long ago.

Thanks you. Hadn't considered the breeding true part and I should of. I have a blue X blue wheaten chick and it's solid black with dark grey almost black shanks. It could only be her's because everyone else is a wheaten. Good to know if I ever set up breeding pens.

 

[rainbowchick]

I shipped the eggs in, the eggs were a very nice blue color.

These are Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas.  The two boys and one girl are gorgeous, very nice show quality/close to SOP.

So, I am not quite sure why the egg she laid isn't as good as the egg she hatched from. 

Cocks carry genes for blue eggs too. Your offspring may very well have better egg color. The color of eggs is not always predictable. You won't know if your hen is "useless" until you grow up a group of her offspring to POL. Only then will you be able to see how her genes interact with the cock's. You may end up with the color you want.
Wheatens don't always color-out how they should, I'd take that over egg color any day.

 

[Alaskan]

good point!

They are very, very gorgeous birds, and sweet too..


here is one of the roosters