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I wasn't suggesting a cross, I was suggesting a substitute! LOL.
A Tolbunt Polish would be a good cross for creating a speckled-LOOKING Ameraucana, but they're rare as hens teeth so good luck with that. The pattern on the Tolbunt Polish appears similar but is a combination of lacing and mottling...nevertheless, you get a tri-color pattern on a mahogany base so it's pretty close. Plus you'd have the dark legs, possibly the beard, and the white egg shell to avoid too much interference with the blue egg gene.
I guess it boils down to WHY you like Ameraucanas. If it's the puffy faces like it is with me, I find the Orloffs to be the best of both worlds. (I like puffy faces and eye-popping patterns.) If it's the blue eggs, you'd have to create your own.
True, any brown egg layer or yellow legged/yellow skinned bird is a bad idea.
Tolbunt Polish are an interesting thought, and yes, the beard will stay, the blue eggs will not be harmed (granted you're using a blue egg laying Ameraucana parent) and the body is relatively close, closer in fact in both body and weight than many other breed options out there. The crest is easy to eliminate, too. Personally I'd much rather see the lacing on a Tolbunt color in Ameraucanas than your run of the mill "spangled" mottled or Mille Fleur color. The lacing just adds to the amazing elegance, plus they have the darker reddish brown instead of a normal orange brown color. I don't think it is mahogany in play though.
I agree though. If you like the winter face and the mottling, why not just go with Orloffs? Or D'Anvers? Or D'Uccles? And Easter Eggers are an easier thing to go with too.
In fact, take lacing for example. Have a Silver Laced Wyandotte, cross it with a silver duckwing or even golden duckwing Easter Egger and you get a VERY pretty green egg layer.
