Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[junebuggena]

Hatcheries are better choices for some, breeders for others... it's all about what and how much you want...

Exactly. If you just want one or two sexed pullets to round out an order of a bunch of different breeds, a hatchery is the way to go. If you don't mind buying straight run, and want your birds to be good examples of the breed, then a breeder is where you go.

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

I don't know how anyone can claim their chick is show quality.  That's an impossible claim to make.  I've never seen anyone want 20-30 bucks for a chick!  I think 10 is probably the most I've seen and I wouldn't even pay that!  Not for a week old chick.  I've never charged that either.

I am sorry I should have been more clear. I didn't mean 20 to 30 bucks for a chick I was talking about a show quality adult..& just to clarify not one breeder has ever stated to me that they have show quality chicks. ONLY show potential. As in it depends how they grow out & of course if they are out of high quality "potential" show stock. The thumbs up was because I was agreeing with you & actually thought u were talking to the other person I had responded too. Sorry if this was taken the wrong way. I didn't mean anything at all! I am here like most of the rest, just here to learn & have fun talking with all my friends & wonderful people & breeders on this site.

 

[marchick]

I am sorry I should have been more clear. I didn't mean 20 to 30 bucks for a chick I was talking about a show quality adult..& just to clarify not one breeder has ever stated to me that they have show quality chicks. ONLY show potential. As in it depends how they grow out & of course if they are out of high quality "potential" show stock. The thumbs up was because I was agreeing with you & actually thought u were talking to the other person I had responded too. Sorry if this was taken the wrong way. I didn't mean anything at all! I am here like most of the rest, just here to learn & have fun talking with all my friends & wonderful people & breeders on this site.

 

[Catandherchicks]

Hi all! I have been doing some hatching for the last 2 springs! Ive finally got close to the flock i want. I have 2 black, 2 blue and 2 splash under a splash roo. Also a white EE and a Lavender hens just for fun! Here are some of my eggs!

Oooooooo - jealous here.

 

[bruceha2000]

Exactly. If you just want one or two sexed pullets to round out an order of a bunch of different breeds, a hatchery is the way to go. If you don't mind buying straight run, and want your birds to be good examples of the breed, then a breeder is where you go.

That is why I've not seriously considered a breeder for standard breed day old chicks. My older daughter is an "emotional vegetarian". No roosters here because she wouldn't eat an egg that COULD have developed into a bird. No eating our birds, no giving or selling them to someone who would. So straight run isn't an option and I was fortunate both times I got commercial hatchery chicks that they surpassed their 90% guarantee on sexing chicks. If I were to get a dozen SR Ameraucana, I would need to already have breeding or "like to have a rooster" homes for (statistically speaking) 6 of them.

So the game here is eggs with a goal of birds that lay more years (understanding they will ALWAYS slow down), the "yard art" Cubalayas notwithstanding. Of course I would love to have beautiful SOP Ameraucanas laying truly blue eggs. But it is just not in the cards unless a quality breeder happens to start up within driving distance and I could get pullets once they are old enough to be known to BE pullets. In the meantime, I try to get educated in all things chicken.

 

[scflock]

Did a full candle last night before lockdown. 28 eggs were set. 6 infertile, 2 early quitters. 2 were questionable, so I left them in. 20 made it to lockdown, so hopefully I will get my first batch Fri-Sat

I also figured out a pretty good way to divide the eggs from different pens in the Octagon 20. For anyone that uses an Octagon, I took a piece of cardboard, punched 4 holes through it, then zip tied it to one of the divider rails. I had to notch a couple places so that the fan guard wouldn't hit it, but now the lid is still snug, and there's a good barrier the chicks can't get stuck in

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

Did a full candle last night before lockdown. 28 eggs were set. 6 infertile, 2 early quitters. 2 were questionable, so I left them in. 20 made it to lockdown, so hopefully I will get my first batch Fri-Sat
I also figured out a pretty good way to divide the eggs from different pens in the Octagon 20. For anyone that uses an Octagon, I took a piece of cardboard, punched 4 holes through it, then zip tied it to one of the divider rails. I had to notch a couple places so that the fan guard wouldn't hit it, but now the lid is still snug, and there's a good barrier the chicks can't get stuck in 

I'm so excited for you! Here comes They are gonna be ADORABLE! SC generation # 1 !!! Next your gonna be building them toys! Then I'm gonna be sweet talking my DH into building mine toys! Lol Cant wait for pics of them!
Ameraucana frenzy!! It spreads like wildfire!

 

[marchick]

Did a full candle last night before lockdown. 28 eggs were set. 6 infertile, 2 early quitters. 2 were questionable, so I left them in. 20 made it to lockdown, so hopefully I will get my first batch Fri-Sat

I also figured out a pretty good way to divide the eggs from different pens in the Octagon 20. For anyone that uses an Octagon, I took a piece of cardboard, punched 4 holes through it, then zip tied it to one of the divider rails. I had to notch a couple places so that the fan guard wouldn't hit it, but now the lid is still snug, and there's a good barrier the chicks can't get stuck in

Awsome! I can't wait to see pictures of them! Praying for a good hatch! We will need play by play! lol First generation scflock!

 

[THeelChickinKY]

If you want to buy straight run chicks from a breeder, you could talk with your daughter about what happens to the male chicks at places that sell seed chicks. Maybe that would change her mind about having to get rid of extra roosters. I hated the idea of killing them, too, but I got over it fast when I started thinking about what might happen to the 50% males that hatch at those places. At least at my house I know they are treated with respect, that their short lives are good, and that their death is humane and quick. The unfortunate reality of chicken keeping is that there will always be too many males and most of them will die whether we see it happen or not. Certainly don't want to sound preachy - just thought that might be something your daughter hadn't thought of. Good luck either way!@bruceha2000

 

[THeelChickinKY]

You could Google hatchery male chicks, too - she would probably be running to get the straight run from a breeder!