Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Illia]

The reason I love working with Ameraucanas is because they require both egg and body type correct. . . Such a challenge.

I'm going to breed her, I just worry how much it will affect the second generation from her. Sounds like I'll be doing some test breeding for egg color. . . . Boy that will be a long road. Waiting the whole trip just to see egg color and decide who to cull, who to keep. . . Whew.

The most important thing to me in this though, besides type, is that the pullet is from a line in which I don't think anyone ever uses anymore. Which is great for me, because that means I can purchase from just about any other lines and not worry about them being too closely related. Yes, I know it isn't an issue, but I like genetic diversity. Having Tolbunt Polish around really makes one aware of what a lack of genetic diversity does.

Even show quality RIR's are known to go down in egg production and fertility due to tight families.

 

[M To The Maxx]

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I would laugh if you got all roos out of that batch of chicks.

 

[Goose and Fig]

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I hate, hate, hate this motto, saying, "breeding philosophy", whatever the hey it is, with a passion.

Why?

If you know, with 100% certainty that your bird(s) has an undesirable trait/genes it should be a no brainer not to put this bird into your breeding program. Essentially all you're doing then is back tracking, quite possibly undoing any good strides you have already made with your breeding. I know a lot of the "old timers" live by this idea, but I feel unless you have absolutely no other choice to use the bird (meaning there is no other viable stock accessible to you) then you should not introduce those unwanted traits.

TK Poultry, my little rant is not directed towards you in any way or fashion, I just cannot stand that thought process!

I agree Jeremy, but sometimes you have to work with what you have. The short highly productive part of a chickens life can pass by while you're waiting for that preverbial "perfect bird".

I hate it when people call splash blue splash. Just thought I'd squeeze that in there

 

[Illia]

I agree Jeremy, however this one pullet I'm going to risk with anyway. I'm still going to get some new blood in here, quite likely Pips&peeps, but I still want to try her out.

Other than that though, I am honestly curious, who else out there has BBS birds not related to Jean's with good type, very full muffs/beard, and good egg color? I'm a picky person, but don't be shy to point me out.

 

[dak]

Quote:
I hate, hate, hate this motto, saying, "breeding philosophy", whatever the hey it is, with a passion.

Why?

If you know, with 100% certainty that your bird(s) has an undesirable trait/genes it should be a no brainer not to put this bird into your breeding program. Essentially all you're doing then is back tracking, quite possibly undoing any good strides you have already made with your breeding. I know a lot of the "old timers" live by this idea, but I feel unless you have absolutely no other choice to use the bird (meaning there is no other viable stock accessible to you) then you should not introduce those unwanted traits.

TK Poultry, my little rant is not directed towards you in any way or fashion, I just cannot stand that thought process!

EVERY bird has an undesirable trait/gene. The weight you put on that undesirable trait is a matter of personal preference. Egg color may drive you crazy, ugly pea combs may drive me crazy. If you cannot find a fault in your birds you are not looking hard enough. Lets say don't throw the baby out with the bathwater and strive for improvement across the board

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
I hate, hate, hate this motto, saying, "breeding philosophy", whatever the hey it is, with a passion.

Why?

If you know, with 100% certainty that your bird(s) has an undesirable trait/genes it should be a no brainer not to put this bird into your breeding program. Essentially all you're doing then is back tracking, quite possibly undoing any good strides you have already made with your breeding. I know a lot of the "old timers" live by this idea, but I feel unless you have absolutely no other choice to use the bird (meaning there is no other viable stock accessible to you) then you should not introduce those unwanted traits.

TK Poultry, my little rant is not directed towards you in any way or fashion, I just cannot stand that thought process!

I agree Jeremy, but sometimes you have to work with what you have. The short highly productive part of a chickens life can pass by while you're waiting for that preverbial "perfect bird".

I hate it when people call splash blue splash. Just thought I'd squeeze that in there

True, the barn thing just really irks me. LOL.

I guess it's mostly due to the very simple saying that my mom ingrained into me at an early age, after seeing my dad come home from 12+ hours of back breaking labor in the heat of a Texas summer...

"Work smarter, not harder."

 

[Harris5]

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What about Blehm or Smith? Or are all their lines tied to Jean's?

 

[jeremy]

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On the flip side, you could possibly get some of those lovely aqua/teal blue eggs out of breeding her, I honestly prefer those eggs to the "powdery" sky blue ones anyway...

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
I hate, hate, hate this motto, saying, "breeding philosophy", whatever the hey it is, with a passion.

Why?

If you know, with 100% certainty that your bird(s) has an undesirable trait/genes it should be a no brainer not to put this bird into your breeding program. Essentially all you're doing then is back tracking, quite possibly undoing any good strides you have already made with your breeding. I know a lot of the "old timers" live by this idea, but I feel unless you have absolutely no other choice to use the bird (meaning there is no other viable stock accessible to you) then you should not introduce those unwanted traits.

TK Poultry, my little rant is not directed towards you in any way or fashion, I just cannot stand that thought process!

EVERY bird has an undesirable trait/gene. The weight you put on that undesirable trait is a matter of personal preference. Egg color may drive you crazy, ugly pea combs may drive me crazy. If you cannot find a fault in your birds you are not looking hard enough. Lets say don't throw the baby out with the bathwater and strive for improvement across the board

Very true, too. I look at my rooster Claude everyday and the black striping in his lower hackles just about makes me want to cry.

But, he is all I have, so I've gotta make it work! At least for this season until I hatch a nicer replacement.

 

[Illia]

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I honestly don't know.


Jeremy - Yes, I love those teal/robin blue ones too, they're so rich, but I'd love to think I can work more towards a more true blue, even if it has to be pale.


Don't get me started on Blue Wheaten males!

I don't think I ever recall seeing one I truly thought "he'd cream everyone in a show" about. . . .