Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[amanda1]

Ok, thank you for clarifying this for me! I will be contacting the feed store and asking them to provide more accurate information in the future.

 

[junebuggena]

Ok, thank you for clarifying this for me! I will be contacting the feed store and asking them to provide more accurate information in the future.

Don't count on it. The excuse my feed store uses is that since there is no accepted breed called 'Easter Egger' they have to call them Ameraucana. It's ridiculous, but it's just the way it is.

 

[amanda1]

We'll,I just sent them a message asking why they aren't more honest with their customers, even thought I was just looking for a breed that produced colored eggs. We'll see how they respond.

 

[FridayYet]

I put more blame on the hatcheries. If a feed store buys chicks labeled "Ameraucana", they will sell them as "Ameraucana".

 

[bruceha2000]

Quote:
Glad to hear that. I looked at the birds and thought:
1. I thought he got them more recently than that (but maybe is on he's second batch from DnD)
2. Boy those birds sure don't look like POL birds, the feathering just isn't right. And it just didn't seem like DnD would be selling chicks that didn't look "right" at 7 months

Quote:
Plus, they are just passing on what they are told from their suppliers. If the supplier says they will send Black Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds and Ameraucanas, how is the feed store to sell them otherwise? Clearly they COULD be informed and proactive and say something with a sign so back to the "Don't count on it" response.

 

[bruceha2000]

We'll,I just sent them a message asking why they aren't more honest with their customers, even thought I was just looking for a breed that produced colored eggs. We'll see how they respond.

You could certainly clue them in that EEs are a VERY VERY popular 'type' of chicken and selling those "Ameraucana" as Easter Eggers would not lose them any sales. Thing is MOST people don't know there is a difference. Only those that find sites like this are likely to know and if all you see at the farm stores is "Ameraucana/Araucana/EE" they must all be the same thing.

 

[FowlStuff]

I got it at Pickering valley feed in Eagle, Pa. They are a reputable store and get their chicks from a hatchery in TX. I did read that s lot of places sell Ameraucanas and alter the spelling slightly so they can sell EEs instead, but I checked the spelling on their site and it is spelled correctly. I wouldn't expect the incorrect label from this place, but I guess it's possible. I would love to hear more opinions on this.

The phenotype, with the chipmunk look, indicates it is based on wildtype (e+) and will probably feather silver or gold. From the photo it would be hard to judge whether it is an Ameraucana or Easter Egger, but knowing it came from a feed store it most likely is an Easter Egger. Years ago I sold day-old Ameraucana chicks to a local feed store, so there are exceptions to every rule.
Silver Ameraucanas are based on wildtype and are the most flighty variety of Ameraucana, so it is reasonable to assume this wildtype chick would be flightier than some others.

 

[abbevilleoz]

Silvers are the most flighty of any of the Ameraucana varieties...always have been, but the LF are getting calmer.

Are they really hard to handle? I'm hoping to add silvers next year but personality is important to me. I really like the color on the hens.

 

[FowlStuff]

Are they really hard to handle? I'm hoping to add silvers next year but personality is important to me. I really like the color on the hens.

Overall the Ameraucana breed is a docile one, but within the breed my experience has been that buffs are the most docile and silvers the least (or the flightiest). None are generally hard to handle, but my chickens are only caught and handled when needed. There are some folks that are more into exhibition and handle their birds often to make them even more docile for show.
The genes play a role and then environment does also when it comes to temperment.

 

[abbevilleoz]

Overall the Ameraucana breed is a docile one, but within the breed my experience has been that buffs are the most docile and silvers the least (or the flightiest).  None are generally hard to handle, but my chickens are only caught and handled when needed.  There are some folks that are more into exhibition and handle their birds often to make them even more docile for show. 
The genes play a role and then environment does also when it comes to temperment. 

Thanks! I have a small flock and they're mostly pets but I do intend on showing locally. My birds do get handled a good bit.