Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Arctic Chick]

What? No such thing as a Splash or Buff Ameraucana? Where did you hear such a thing? It's true there is no Partridge Ameraucanas. There is so much that goes into the "Lavender" that I can't even go into it but, while technically that is true, I would guess that in 5 years there will be. Having said that, there most certain is a Splash and Buff Ameraucana. Check out the ABC website.

God Bless,

"The Ameraucana Breeders Club defines an Easter Egg chicken or Easter Egger as any chicken that possesses the blue egg gene, but doesn’t fully meet any breed descriptions as defined in the APA and/or ABA standards. Further, even if a bird meets an Ameraucana standard breed description, but doesn’t meet a variety description or breed true at least 50% of the time it is considered an Easter Egg chicken."

This is what I was given as an example as what defines an EE vs Ameraucana. Splash and lavender is not a recognized color, therefore an EE. I have argued this point of mis-labeling genetics to fit a select few and am roughly discussed with everyone calling everything an EE. I suggested calling them PCA (Project Color Ameraucana) not EE. Now I have been following Ameraucanas for 15 years, I do run websites and get lost in time now and again. I did not realize the LF buff birds were breeding 50% true or were color approved. Buff is not my favorite color in birds, so sorry, my mistake, I don't keep up and can get carried away in post, but not articles.

So to fill everyone in, nope don't usually join "clubs" I have my own and run it (not about chickens). Nope, I don't check their website, I run my own (several) I am also a writer, photographer and chicken fanatic. So to sum it up, I don't keep up with the "Jones" but do understand genetics and feel this group of birds is being muddled into Easter Eggers which is bad for the breed and to associate quality birds with hatchery crosses... for real?

BTW I really like your posts and I think you would be a great writer!

 

[AinaWGSD]

Quote: That OR part is what makes splash Ameraucanas not Easter Eggers. It's also where those who are hung up on semantics can put the "project Ameraucana" label on colors like lavender instead of calling them EE. Neither splash or lavender meet a variety description in the Ameraucana standard. However, both of these colors breed true at least 50% of the time. In fact, when bred to themselves, both of these colors breed true 100% of the time. Therefor, as long as they meet the breed description and don't look like say a leghorn or orpington with muffs, neither color is an Easter Egger under the definition that the ABC gives for what constitutes an EE.

Besides, arguing that splash birds are EE because they don't fit a variety description is just silly IMO because of the genetics of Andalusian blue. In Blue Andalusians (the breed) you will have the same number of blacks and splashes produced as in Ameraucana, Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Cochin, Jersey Giants, and all other breeds that recognize blue and get it through the andalusian blue gene (vs the self blue, aka lavender, gene). No one argues that black or splash Blue Andalusians are not Blue Andalusians just because they aren't blue. These colors just aren't showable, but because we know how the genetics work they are useful in breeding programs for this breed. In fact, in most breeds where blue is a recognized color (and caused by the andalusian blue gene) splash is not a showable color and therefor does not have a variety description in the breed standard. Yet no one argues that splash birds of those breeds are somehow not that breed simply because splash is not recognized for showing.

These are just my opinions. And, since I am neither a member of the ABC nor an actual breeder, I don't figure my opinion on the matter counts for anything. But those who make the standard and who make the decisions on what constitutes an EE have clearly stated what, in their opinion (which has authority because they're the ones who "make the rules" so to speak) the difference between an EE and an Ameraucana is. I feel like there isn't really that much difference between how chicken people actually feel about "non-standard" colors in other breeds, but Ameraucana breeders seem more touchy about it because of the whole Easter Eggers (which more often than not are not color crosses of purebred Ameraucana or even first generation crosses between Ameraucana and another breed) being billed as Ameraucana issue. Crossing genetically incompatible colors such as a buff orpington and a black orpington is just as much discouraged amongst orpington breeders, but seems to be less of a hot button topic because there aren't non-orpingtons with similar coloration being erroneously touted as orpingtons.

 

[Goose and Fig]

This is getting old.

 

[Reyvaughn]

This is getting old.

I agree. It was interesting to some extent the first time. Now it's just redundant. It is what it is. A chicken!

 

[heatherscooby77]

How is every ones grow out pens going??? How many chickens are you going to winter??? I can answer the second question already, a lot!!! I want to know egg color before I make my final decisions for next years breeding pens!!! That's right I am excited for next year, already!!!

 

[DMRippy]

Me too LOL Lots of little Lavenders and Wheatens. I think I am going to hatch some Blacks over the fall too. Since this is really my first year to build my flocks I need to grow lots out.

 

[pips&peeps]

I need to get a picture of the little silver I hatched yesterday!!!

 

[Arctic Chick]

That OR part is what makes splash Ameraucanas not Easter Eggers. It's also where those who are hung up on semantics can put the "project Ameraucana" label on colors like lavender instead of calling them EE. Neither splash or lavender meet a variety description in the Ameraucana standard. However, both of these colors breed true at least 50% of the time. In fact, when bred to themselves, both of these colors breed true 100% of the time. Therefor, as long as they meet the breed description and don't look like say a leghorn or orpington with muffs, neither color is an Easter Egger under the definition that the ABC gives for what constitutes an EE.

Besides, arguing that splash birds are EE because they don't fit a variety description is just silly IMO because of the genetics of Andalusian blue. In Blue Andalusians (the breed) you will have the same number of blacks and splashes produced as in Ameraucana, Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Cochin, Jersey Giants, and all other breeds that recognize blue and get it through the andalusian blue gene (vs the self blue, aka lavender, gene). No one argues that black or splash Blue Andalusians are not Blue Andalusians just because they aren't blue. These colors just aren't showable, but because we know how the genetics work they are useful in breeding programs for this breed. In fact, in most breeds where blue is a recognized color (and caused by the andalusian blue gene) splash is not a showable color and therefor does not have a variety description in the breed standard. Yet no one argues that splash birds of those breeds are somehow not that breed simply because splash is not recognized for showing.

These are just my opinions. And, since I am neither a member of the ABC nor an actual breeder, I don't figure my opinion on the matter counts for anything. But those who make the standard and who make the decisions on what constitutes an EE have clearly stated what, in their opinion (which has authority because they're the ones who "make the rules" so to speak) the difference between an EE and an Ameraucana is. I feel like there isn't really that much difference between how chicken people actually feel about "non-standard" colors in other breeds, but Ameraucana breeders seem more touchy about it because of the whole Easter Eggers (which more often than not are not color crosses of purebred Ameraucana or even first generation crosses between Ameraucana and another breed) being billed as Ameraucana issue. Crossing genetically incompatible colors such as a buff orpington and a black orpington is just as much discouraged amongst orpington breeders, but seems to be less of a hot button topic because there aren't non-orpingtons with similar coloration being erroneously touted as orpingtons.

 

[Arctic Chick]

How is every ones grow out pens going??? How many chickens are you going to winter??? I can answer the second question already, a lot!!! I want to know egg color before I make my final decisions for next years breeding pens!!! That's right I am excited for next year, already!!!

I am wintering over all my chickens here, in Alaska, LOL.

The Ameraucana does so great in the climate, it is A LOT of work although. Grow out pens are doing awesome! I am so pleased with the birds I got this year and am looking forward to next years also! Looks like gold mining is happening this year, so I am in the process of an account to be able to show my birds outside of Alaska, within the next three years (how long it will take to convince my man) as he thinks it's crazy!

Already looking forward to purchasing more birds next year for my projects!

 

[Reyvaughn]

I have 8 older bw/w pullets (3-4 months) growing out, one that's 4wks old (it's a miracle it's a pullet - it hatched late and missed the chicken swap in June) and 13 others from another breeder that are only about 2 1/2 weeks. I am done hatching bw/w this year. I am still breeding other breeds and working on my Marans now. As long as these pullets grow out nice, I won't need anymore this year. I will be replacing the 2 oldest girls next year. I still need an amazing wheaten rooster to replace my current rooster. I shouldn't say replace... He's going in with whatever girls I have from the other breeder to improve egg color, hackle ticking and tail set. Shame, the breeder's roosters are gorgeous with great color, her hens are the issue. I have 3 of her roos running around now as dog bait (yeah, seriously, let the dogs take the ones I don't care about so I can catch them in the act and press charges on the owners) that have the worst ticking and smudged wing colors. Their tails are a bit to upright, too.

I will not be wintering Ameraucana chicks - at least not as far as I know.

ETA: I need a Lav roo, too... Eventually. It's hard to breed lavs when you have one lav pullet and a single black pullet with no boys for them. Maybe next year.