Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[marchick]

I don't handle mine often, only when necessary... it works best for me, they get their space and they respect mine...

I am trying to not get so attached to the roosters. I have one Blue copper that wants to be my pet. He gets very close all the time and looks at me like he is in love with me. lol I know this isn't a Marans thread but! He looks at me like this!!! All the time!


He is this close to me at all times!


Such a clown! Like I said I am trying not to get so attached to the roosters but what do you do when they get attached to you?

 

[Ravynscroft]

These are some of Russ Blair's Silver blues, (along with other birds). Does it look like your "something else" @RavynFallen ? IDK what it looked like at that age.

Those are pretty! Thanks for the pic, hon, but mine is still a week old chick, lol... only hatched the one like it so far... will be keeping track as it grows though...

That's sad. You shouldn't have to deal with issues like this unless you are knowing buying project birds.

Oh, please don't take me wrong, I am not upset in any way... and technically Lavs (self blues) are still considered a project until they're accepted... But even that aside, I purchased the Lav cock with full disclosure from DMRippy... he's from Shaffer line known to carry recessive white... my hen is a black split I hatched from Jerry Seglers eggs... they are producing spectacular Lav and Split chicks, I am EXTREMELY happy with them... this one chick just came out not like black or Lav... I fully understand that things can be hidden in lines for generations and can randomly pop out, plus that crossing different lines can bring out some hidden traits as well... I've talked to John Blehm and Jerry both about it... I am documenting it and will keep them updated... Animals aren't machines and don't make perfect photocopies of themselves... we are dealing with life, and chaos does happen, lol... Here's a typical Lav from same pair...

I am trying to not get so attached to the roosters. I have one Blue copper that wants to be my pet. He gets very close all the time and looks at me like he is in love with me. lol I know this isn't a Marans thread but! He looks at me like this!!! All the time! He is this close to me at all times! Such a clown! Like I said I am trying not to get so attached to the roosters but what do you do when they get attached to you?

I just don't let them, lol... I take a bit different approach with my flocks... at least the chickens... I don't strive to be flock leader, I set myself apart but above... I allow them to settle matters on their own unless intervention is necessary to prevent/stop injury... makes for a great working releationship with roosters...

 

[Shaffer]

RavynFallen, Sorry if you are pulling some recessive whites from that male. It could happen after even 100 generations since it is a recessive gene. That male has to be pretty old by now since it has been a long while since I sold any birds but it came from hatching eggs I am sure maybe around 2008 era.

 

[LaPoulet]

I don't handle mine often, only when necessary... it works best for me, they get their space and they respect mine...

I am trying to not get so attached to the roosters. I have one Blue copper that wants to be my pet. He gets very close all the time and looks at me like he is in love with me. lol I know this isn't a Marans thread but! He looks at me like this!!! All the time! He is this close to me at all times! Such a clown! Like I said I am trying not to get so attached to the roosters but what do you do when they get attached to you?

I think he is precious!

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

I think he is precious!

X 2

 

[marchick]

I think he is precious!

X 2

I know right! I am trying not to fall in love with him but he is winning me over! The last one that was a rooster and this loving. It didn't end up well! I don't think my heart could take it a second time. He was way to mean to even find him a home. He was awsome till he became about a year old.

 

[LaPoulet]

I think he is precious!

X 2

I know right! I am trying not to fall in love with him but he is winning me over!  The last one that was a rooster and this loving. It didn't end up well! I don't think my heart could take it a second time. He was way to mean to even find him a home. He was awsome till he became about a year old.

I am not that close to any of mine. They usually steer clear and let me do what needs to be done. They come running for snacks and such but I have to catch one to touch it. I have heard that it's best this way, but I have to say, I know a lady that has a full grown rooster and he is friendly with her still, so it's possible.

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

I know right! I am trying not to fall in love with him but he is winning me over!  The last one that was a rooster and this loving. It didn't end up well! I don't think my heart could take it a second time. He was way to mean to even find him a home. He was awsome till he became about a year old.

Well, they say the mean ones always taste better!! Lol.
If this guys real sweet, it would come in handy if he were gentle

or a little. I would pet him here and there just in case he's trying to size you up!! So either way he knows who's in charge...? Maybe?
You know how I am with my birds! But it's paid off in spades. My hands on has been so extensive that I hope the cockerels don't get mean when their older but I don't think that will be the case. I will start my breeding program with some of these gorgeous birds I got from Max. These will be a few of my foundation birds, it's one of the reasons I have put so much time in them. It would be hard to start over, I'm not sure I would have the patience either. The first 3 or 4 months it's kinda like breaking a colt. It's all about handling and petting them and gaining their trust. I have noticed my birds actually want to please me without treats. I have rarely rewarded them with treats ever. Their very intelligent and have stepped up their game. Once trust was built, I have 14/16 very responsive birds. Pullets and cockerels alike want in my lap and cuddle time.
****I've also noticed the value of my birds goes way up****based on gentleness and handling ability****and indeed they are a site to behold****blacks, blues, blue wheatens, wheatens, and a splash. The blue wheatens and wheatens were the easiest to tame from the start.
It works for me! We all have different views on our birds and our relationships with them. We love them in our own ways and none of us are wrong

.
The Ameraucana bird is everything I hoped they would be and much more. They are intelligent, with sweet and gentle spirits. But also very sharp and alert. My birds have been exposed to lots of different noises. Their not even kind of skittish. I'm hooked on this breed for life!

 

[Ravynscroft]

RavynFallen,  Sorry if you are pulling some recessive whites from that male.  It could happen after even 100 generations since it is a recessive gene.  That male has to be pretty old by now since it has been a long while since I sold any birds but it came from hatching eggs I am sure maybe around 2008 era.

There is absolutely no need for any apologies, I fully understand about recessive traits and I got him with full disclosure that he carried recessive white... and yes, he is an older cock, lol... I got him from DMRippy and she said he was the last one she had from the original flock she bought from you... I had options for a younger bird, but he has more of what I was looking for in breeding... and I do not regret my choice one bit... I have hatched a few batches of chicks so far and I look forward to seeing how they grow out...

I was just surprised to get a recessive white right out of the first batch... and the second batch revealed this darker down colored chick and I was just seeking additional information if anyone had any, whether it might be something to cull out or a potential project or ???... I don't know if it is just a smutty white or , but I will be growing it out to see as well... it was not my intention to 'call anyone out' and I hope it was not taken that way... I merely wished to find out if it was something seen previously from either of the lines or if it could be just from my crossing them... I have deep respect for all the dedicated breeders that have made Ameraucanas what they are, I just hope to one day have a decent, consistent producing flock that I can be happy to call my own...

I will edit to add some pics, have to switch to mobile...

Cock bird, please excuse his attire right now, he just went into a rough molt...

R white on the right, Lav from same pair on left...

And the darker down colored chick... need to get new pics, wing feathers are starting to come in and look *almost* like a very soft lavender...

 

[Shaffer]

RavynFallen, The chick on the middle picture with two chicks looks like the light lavender chicks I get that resemble whites to some. The last chick looks like nothing I have seen so far in my flock. It must be from crossing bloodlines somehow.

The old male looks nothing like what I have at this time but does look like something that I may have had many years ago. Good luck with him.