Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Ravynscroft]

I'm using that, thank you

 

[marchick]

I'll have to weigh him... he's solid, but not as heavy as he looks...

He looks big! I thought with mine! He is big but alot of feathers on that bird... Kinda skinny legs but he weighed 8 lbs.

 

[Sylvester017]

I wonder if it is normal for wheaten and blue wheaten to not be good layers?

I've been following threads about other blue-gene egg layers like Araucana, Cream Legbars, EEs, Favaucanas, Isbars, OEs, etc and talked with friends who have some of these breeds. They are hit-and-miss as to production and one Ameraucana BYC breeder replied that Amer's should not be considered production birds. Well, I can have only 5 hens in my zone (and currently only have 4) so I can't afford having even just one duddy layer in the group. I won't be getting any more Amers since 2 out 3 older juvies that I had ordered from different breeders died before I had them 2 weeks. Just haven't been hardy in my experience. If I lost just one I would say it's a fluke, but losing 2 out of 3 and having only 1 survivor who is also a duddy layer tells me I better find some other breed to get eggs from. These are the sweetest birds on the planet and besides their blue eggs their sweetness is why I got them but I've shifted my focus to another sweet friendlier calmer outgoing breed - the Breda for my gentles flock. Steady layer, a kind flockmate, and definitely not the timid skittish personality of an Amer. The 4 to 5 eggs per week has been great too. I don't have the zoning or the space to get new Amer's every season for a steady supply of pretty blue eggs yearly and then send the duddy layers to the freezer. I hate to imagine sending these sweet young birds to the freezer anyway. So now I've shifted my focus to the less timid friendly calmer temperament of the Breda. No more pretty blue eggs - but then if I'm not getting any eggs what's the point of having a blue-egg bird?

 

[chickee]

I've been following threads about other blue-gene egg layers like Araucana, Cream Legbars, EEs, Favaucanas, Isbars, OEs, etc and talked with friends who have some of these breeds. They are hit-and-miss as to production and one Ameraucana BYC breeder replied that Amer's should not be considered production birds. Well, I can have only 5 hens in my zone (and currently only have 4) so I can't afford having even just one duddy layer in the group. I won't be getting any more Amers since 2 out 3 older juvies that I had ordered from different breeders died before I had them 2 weeks. Just haven't been hardy in my experience. If I lost just one I would say it's a fluke, but losing 2 out of 3 and having only 1 survivor who is also a duddy layer tells me I better find some other breed to get eggs from. These are the sweetest birds on the planet and besides their blue eggs their sweetness is why I got them but I've shifted my focus to another sweet friendlier calmer outgoing breed - the Breda for my gentles flock. Steady layer, a kind flockmate, and definitely not the timid skittish personality of an Amer. The 4 to 5 eggs per week has been great too. I don't have the zoning or the space to get new Amer's every season for a steady supply of pretty blue eggs yearly and then send the duddy layers to the freezer. I hate to imagine sending these sweet young birds to the freezer anyway. So now I've shifted my focus to the less timid friendly calmer temperament of the Breda. No more pretty blue eggs - but then if I'm not getting any eggs what's the point of having a blue-egg bird?

I have had Ameraucanas for over 5 years and they still remain my favorite breed. My wheaten/blue wheatens are beautiful, friendly and confident birds that lay well. I can't imagine not getting those beautiful blue eggs. They look so pretty in the cartons with my chocolate colored Marans eggs.

 

[marchick]

I've been following threads about other blue-gene egg layers like Araucana, Cream Legbars, EEs, Favaucanas, Isbars, OEs, etc and talked with friends who have some of these breeds. They are hit-and-miss as to production and one Ameraucana BYC breeder replied that Amer's should not be considered production birds. Well, I can have only 5 hens in my zone (and currently only have 4) so I can't afford having even just one duddy layer in the group. I won't be getting any more Amers since 2 out 3 older juvies that I had ordered from different breeders died before I had them 2 weeks. Just haven't been hardy in my experience. If I lost just one I would say it's a fluke, but losing 2 out of 3 and having only 1 survivor who is also a duddy layer tells me I better find some other breed to get eggs from. These are the sweetest birds on the planet and besides their blue eggs their sweetness is why I got them but I've shifted my focus to another sweet friendlier calmer outgoing breed - the Breda for my gentles flock. Steady layer, a kind flockmate, and definitely not the timid skittish personality of an Amer. The 4 to 5 eggs per week has been great too. I don't have the zoning or the space to get new Amer's every season for a steady supply of pretty blue eggs yearly and then send the duddy layers to the freezer. I hate to imagine sending these sweet young birds to the freezer anyway. So now I've shifted my focus to the less timid friendly calmer temperament of the Breda. No more pretty blue eggs - but then if I'm not getting any eggs what's the point of having a blue-egg bird?

I think it may depend on what line they come from! I have a order in for chicks.They are going to come sometime in feb.

 

[marchick]

I have had Ameraucanas for over 5 years and they still remain my favorite breed. My wheaten/blue wheatens are beautiful, friendly and confident birds that lay well. I can't imagine not getting those beautiful blue eggs. They look so pretty in the cartons with my chocolate colored Marans eggs.

That was part of why I wanted Ameraucanas and Marans.I love how the eggs look together. I have had easter eggers many times in the past and love how friendly they are! The ameraucanas are so very pretty though and love the blue eggs!

 

[FridayYet]

Most breeds that lay colored eggs are not considered "production" egg layers. You need breeds like Leghorns and Sex links for that.

Give me my friendly blue, green and dark brown egg layers any day!

 

[Ravynscroft]

Most breeds that lay colored eggs are not considered "production" egg layers.  You need breeds like Leghorns and Sex links for that.

Give me my friendly blue, green and dark brown egg layers any day!

Very true... they are dual purpose... for eggs and/or meat, but not the best producer of either...

Mine aren't bad layers though... and I'd much prefer to keep them than production ones... had those and did not care for them...

 

[marchick]

Very true... they are dual purpose... for eggs and/or meat, but not the best producer of either...

Mine aren't bad layers though... and I'd much prefer to keep them than production ones... had those and did not care for them...

For me as long as they lay 3 eggs a week when they are laying. I am good! Three eggs a year not good!

 

[Ravynscroft]

For me as long as they lay 3 eggs a week when they are laying. I am good! Three eggs a year not good!

Mine lay pretty solid 6 per week...