Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[daxigait]

The Black has no Blue dilute gene. A Blue rooster will produce about 50% blue and 50% black offspring. Then you have to take into consideration, the RIR pattern genetics. They aren't usually solid red. They have a columbia pattern restrictor. Basically, it's a gene that restricts the 'pattern' from expressing in certain areas. Black and Blue Ameraucana have a solid black pattern gene, meaning their pattern is all over, allowing no base color to show through.
You may get a variety of patterns in the chicks.

I got a couple of these from a breeder in OK, and decided to try it myself. I just didn't ask which color of cock she used.
Here is a black and blue example of the cross I hatched in March.

 

[MuscovyMadness]

Good morning, I just wanted to know if anyone can tell me about the blue and black genetically. I plan to breed a few hatchery RIR to an Ameraucana cock to get green egg layers I hope. My question is if I want both blues and blacks do I need both color cocks or just one or the other. I have both a black and a blue. Thanks.

We actually bred our Blk Ameraucana rooster, Tyson, to our Gold Laced Wyandotte hens, Thelma & Louise. My husband's goal in mind was to see if the offspring would produce only blue eggs because I told him about an article I saw on pea comb breeds being a good cross with
Ameraucana. He told me all this later on...initially I just thought he wanted to breed his favorite chickens together and I figured....np, he works hard, let him have his little experiment. He wasn't 100% thrilled when I reminded him that Wyandottes have rose combs and lay lighter brown eggs so we will probably get light green eggs from that cross! LoL. But now he's EGGcited to see what we get. I was going to keep 2 pullets to breed back to the Ameracauna roo......might get blue eggs there.

The offspring are approximately 50% clean face...50% have muffs/beard. Most of the cockerels have red and/or gold coming through. All the pullets are black with the exception of 1 but we're still debating gender. ALL have dark legs except for 1 cockerel. They all have the cool "crazy eyes" look (as we call it) of the Ameraucana.

Pictured is the rooster.....some of the cockerels and last 2 pics are pullets.

 

[LaPoulet]

My splash juvies seem to be low in the pecking order. I read an article about chickens recognizing color and noticing when someone is different. Has anyone else had any issues particularly with your splash colored chicks/chickens getting picked on?

 No, I haven't really noticed my splashes being picked on, but they all grew up together


I have five free ranging males, two are splash. One is at the top and the other is number four in the pecking order. My only red pyle EE is the lowest ranking male.


In the hen house, one splash is lower ranked, but she is also the smallest in the coop and the only one with very heavy foot feathering. The others don't pick on her though. Another splash is low ranked, but she has a disability so I can't tell if she's low ranked for that reason or her color.

In the baby coop, my one and only splash is one of the higher ranked chicks and he isn't even 'normal' looking to the other chicks. He's a Polish.


Is it possible that they are picked on because of their age? Or maybe the other birds in the coop aren't used to seeing the spash color?

I got them all at birth on the same day and they have been together ever since. I am just curious. It's probably just a pecking order thing. I haven't noticed them ganging up on it.

 

[MuscovyMadness]

I got a couple of these from a breeder in OK, and decided to try it myself. I just didn't ask which color of cock she used.
Here is a black and blue example of the cross I hatched in March.

Your blue is VERY pretty! Your black reminds me of my Easter Egger pullet......she started out looking more like your but more pattern has emerged as she's maturing. Excuse the crusty birds....I ferment feed and it gets messy at times....although the beards do act as built un bibs. LoL

 

[daxigait]

Thanks for sharing photos. I find the crosses pretty. I have some crosses that I like more than the original Ameruacana.

 

[FridayYet]

Then there are some great EE threads on BYC you should check out. Lots of pics of pretty birds.

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

Then there are some great EE threads on BYC you should check out. Lots of pics of pretty birds.

X2.

 

[daxigait]

I like them both, and I appreciate your help. I posted my four Ameraucana last week for gender help. Part of what I enjoy is all my different breeds. I keep my pure Ameraucana and my Heritage RIR that stay pure these guys are beautiful, and they make some fantastic crosses for color in eggs and feathers. I meant no insult.

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

I like them both, and I appreciate your help. I posted my four Ameraucana last week for gender help. Part of what I enjoy is all my different breeds. I keep my pure Ameraucana and my Heritage RIR that stay pure these guys are beautiful, and they make some fantastic crosses. I meant no insult.

I don't think none was taken gal

 

[bruceha2000]

Quote:
I *THINK* the confusing part is what I highlighted in blue. IIRC, the name Ameraucana didn't exist until breeders needed a name for the APA when they proposed the new breed the APA recognizes today.

It is unfortunate that the Araucana name that was being used for the various birds in existence before the two groups started refining to get birds with specific reproducible traits was accepted by the APA for the tailless, ear tufted blue layers we know today as Araucana.

How much more confusing can it be to have "mutts" that WERE the Araucana, AKA EE, now need to find a new name because one specific NEW APA recognized breed that doesn't look like MOST of the "mutts" was accepted under that name?