Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

Thank you all. I always find the conversation on this thread intellectually stimulating. Keep up the good work.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Walt, I've been wanting to talk "splash" with you!!

"Splash" is genetically defined as (I believe) white or nearly white with blue and black splashes. However, Silkies define it in the SOP as "slaty blue" - or "white that has a faint bluish gray tinge" (but NOT white has been emphasized to me.) I am now the proud owner of several splash Silkies and they are most certainly variable (anything from white or almost white which I'm told is washed out and needs an injection of black to slaty blue that almost borders on blue to my eyes) whereas my splash Ameraucana is white or nearly so with black and blue splashes (as have been my Marans.) How is the Modern Game splash defined? What is the APA position on "splash"?

I'm a blue girl ....

 

[ashandvine]

Walt, I've been wanting to talk "splash" with you!!

"Splash" is genetically defined as (I believe) white or nearly white with blue and black splashes. However, Silkies define it in the SOP as "slaty blue" - or "white that has a faint bluish gray tinge" (but NOT white has been emphasized to me.) I am now the proud owner of several splash Silkies and they are most certainly variable (anything from white or almost white which I'm told is washed out and needs an injection of black to slaty blue that almost borders on blue to my eyes) whereas my splash Ameraucana is white or nearly so with black and blue splashes (as have been my Marans.) How is the Modern Game splash defined? What is the APA position on "splash"?

I'm a blue girl ....

I'm glad you asked this too. I have beautiful splash girls and a roo (for one of those naughty blue breeding attempts) but I am not clear, either. My girls have lav and blue splashes on a dusty white-- not white like Columbians or Delawares or Leghorns etc. Anyway, the position from the APA would be great... or that BYC lexicon I was talking about. hahaha Mine definitely do not have black splashes. This reminds me of the question of Ermine/erminette and Splash in another breed forum. Thoughts?

 

[fowlman01]

Walt, I've been wanting to talk "splash" with you!!

"Splash" is genetically defined as (I believe) white or nearly white with blue and black splashes. However, Silkies define it in the SOP as "slaty blue" - or "white that has a faint bluish gray tinge" (but NOT white has been emphasized to me.) I am now the proud owner of several splash Silkies and they are most certainly variable (anything from white or almost white which I'm told is washed out and needs an injection of black to slaty blue that almost borders on blue to my eyes) whereas my splash Ameraucana is white or nearly so with black and blue splashes (as have been my Marans.) How is the Modern Game splash defined? What is the APA position on "splash"?

I'm a blue girl ....

The APA and ABA says: Sooty white with blue splashes it also says: To add back the blue splashes in the plumage, the parent color blue is bred back in to create the balance of color. So they are saying up front it takes a bit to keep them correct. The APA only requires a color to breed 50% true to be recognized. The Silkie's were admitted in 2000, anything on my watch will be the same description as the Modern Game unless there is an awesome argument to have it different. The ABA and APA agree on this description.

Walt

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Fabulous, Walt! Thank you!!

So the next question goes to pips&peeps -- might the ABC ever promote "splash" for inclusion in the SOP?

 

[poularde]

Just noticed this splash Ameraucana hen has 'extra' bits besides her muffs.

Almost looks like little tufts?

Those look like tufts to me. They are just far back. Where did she come from?

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Just noticed this splash Ameraucana hen has 'extra' bits besides her muffs.


Almost looks like little tufts?

Those look like tufts to me.  They are just far back.  Where did she come from?

She is from a splash x splash Am' pen. I've been breeding this line since '07 and never hatched any with tuft-ish extra feathers. I always thought she had a funny head as a chick. I moved her to a 'pullet-pen' last week and just realized *why* it looks funny.
I think it looks kind of neat! Wrong, but neat...

 

[buckabucka]

I have my first Blue wheaten ameraucana, and I'm wondering if someone can tell me what is going on with these spots on her legs (i.e. is this normal?).  It is the only chick that hatched, so I have nothing to compare to.

She has black spots on her legs, like an Ancona.  This side of her beak is yellow, but the other side has black.





I'm hoping this is just some kind of off-coloring that happens occasionally, not some strange fungus or something.  She is 8 weeks old now, but 7 weeks in the photo.
I appreciate any feedback.  I don't recall seeing these spots on other people's photos of Ameraucanas.

That is not a Blue whaeton. That is a splash, and because of the legs it is actually an ee

I would like to go back to this post a minute.  I want to be clear that this bird is only an Easter Egger to those people who are talking about SOP standards and not misconstrue that this bird is not Ameraucana.  I realize that the terms are confusing to many.  Easter eggers can be mixes or culls but there is a lot more going on in the genetic coding of these birds than just slate legs or muffs.  Please realize- as I am beginning to, that the bird this woman has could be useful for breeding other traits in and out of Ameraucanas, which would still make them Ameraucanas and not EEs.  I am starting to have issues with the idea that every non SOP bird is an EE.  It would be helpful if there were another term.  OE as well because I have Ameraucanas from great breeders who lay mossy green eggs instead of the light teal, or who have purple and green sheen, and not just beetle green.  When it gets right down to it there are a lot of traits (LOTS) that are genetic or visual, creating non SOP Ameraucanas but they are still Ameraucanas.  "Project" birds for color are EE if we confuse standards with genetics.  The EE term should only apply to cross breeds IMO, and then only the first few generations, as, after that, a specific breeder can start another standard or color by breeding selectively.  This business of every non SOP Am being called an EE is creating too much confusion otherwise.  People who want to breed or learn need to have clear answers not more confusion.   SO HERE IS FOLKS:

Anything that isn't Ameraucana to Ameraucana is EE.  Am bred to Am (AmxAm)
Non SOP Ams are just that.
EE (should be) Amx _____.
They are all still chickens and none lay golden eggs... but if one does I want some of their offspring!

(now if I could just convince everyone else to stop calling any non SOP Am an EE we could get somewhere. )
phew.

HUH    all that is confusing me. :/

Those are interesting points that ashandvine and chicknadventure have brought up. The bird in question here is mine, and it could quite possibly be an EE (using the definition of Am x other breed), but I have no way of knowing.
All I know is that I purchased hatching eggs that were supposed to be wheaten/BW. The egg was the right color, but only one hatched. I know the seller has at least one other breed, so perhaps this is a surprise cross. At this point, I'm just happy it is a pullet, whatever she may be!

 

[pips&peeps]

Fabulous, Walt! Thank you!!

So the next question goes to pips&peeps -- might the ABC ever promote "splash" for inclusion in the SOP?

Breeders/owners have to show them to be able to get them recognized........(same with the lavenders)

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:

Quote:
One of my pet peeves is calling Self Blue ... Lavender. Both the SOP and Bantam Standard calls it Self Blue. Breed Clubs and breeders should stop calling the color Lavender. It is too confusing for newbies to the Fancy. The Silkies tried to get the APA and ABA to change the color name, but failed. It is doubtful any breed club will change their minds to go with the term Lavender.

I also feel that if a breed has Blue, it should also have Splash in the Standard. However, it will take Splash breeders to unite, work together and promote Splash in their breed. Getting five breeders to agree for 5 years is a bit difficult. But it can be done!