Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[bobbieschicks]

Can you help me identify whether this black AM is a cockerel or pullet - it is 16 weeks old today. It was broody raised so I can't catch it - but hopefully I've included enough photos to tell. Thanks!

 

[poularde]

Looks like a cockerel to me.

 

[NoseyChickens]

I agree. It looks like a boy.

 

[heatherscooby77]

Its a boy!

 

[ashandvine]

Wow, those birds are beautiful!

I agree. This is strange. I almost bought a blue laced cochin roo to breed with my black Ameraucanas cuz I know nothing but really wanted blue-laced Ams. I guess I should get popcorn and watch the pros at work.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Can you help me identify whether this black AM is a cockerel or pullet - it is 16 weeks old today.  It was broody raised so I can't catch it - but hopefully I've included enough photos to tell.  Thanks!

Okay it seems like cockerel is the consensus. Earlier everyone voted it to be a pullet so that's interesting. It acts more pullet like than cockerel and it is very shy. I figured it was a pullet getting ready to lay soon since the rooster has attempted to mate it. I guess I'll know definitively shortly.

 

[dfdesigns]

I think it's a boy, too... the comb and the tail just kind of scream "ROO" at me. Ameraucanas are such slow developers, and like to keep us all guessing until the last possible second!

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

IT'S A BOY

and a handsome one.

 

[pips&peeps]

It's a cockerel, no doubt in my mind or in anybody else's......

 

[bobbieschicks]

Okay so assuming he is a he - which every indication points that way - what type of rooster will he make? He seems very shy and skittish. It could be because he was broody raised and never really interacted with me - or is that typical of AM cockerels? I've had a White Leghorn that was aggressive towards everyone - people & chickens. I don't want a repeat of that.

For now my alpha roo is a 36 week old partridge silkie who is fighting the 19 week old WL/EE cockerel to keep that top spot. I have two 16 week old Welsummer cockerels and I had thought keeping one Wellie to mate with this AM - which isn't happening now.

I've in the process of eliminating extra cockerels, so I'm having to make some choices in who stays and who goes. I know the WL/EE is going and one Welsummer for sure. But now I will have to choose between keeping the AM or the Wellie.

What would be the better choice?