Ameraucanas - Do They Play Well With Others?

[hippiehen]

Hello all! New to the forum (posting anyway)! I will be receiving some Ameraucana chicks next week and a friend recently told me that ordering them was a mistake, they will not get along with my other hens - she said they were quite aggressive.

I have never had this breed before and was wondering if anyone has experienced problems with them?

My other breeds include: several varieties of wyandottes, RIRs, hamburgs, new hampshire reds, barred and black rocks.

Thanks for any info!

 

[chickiebaby]

very varied temperaments. Mine are all sweethearts, some care more about pecking order than others. Not like brahmas that want to be held and cuddled, more like fun to watch. Excellent foragers and could prob live off the land entirely if they needed to. Super cold hardy. But few are purebred. I have had a few that were real aracaunas, but mostly they all turn out to be ameracaunas or EEs.

 

[greenthumb89]

every chicken is different temperment wise and ameraucanas are no different, when you order them from a Hatchery you usually get easter eggers which are colored egg layers that is a cross between a purebred auracana and an ameraucana, they can look like anything and can take the temperment of the other part of the mix, my purebreds were raised as culls so they didnt have very much human interaction but even so they are warming up to me and let me pick them up when i want to, usually because treats are involved.

 

[PoultryPedia]

I breed Ameraucanas and have Easter Eggers and have read a lot about both on various forums. They are generally good mixers in my experience and from what I've heard from others. Are you getting actual Ameraucanas (see http://ameraucana.org/faq.html) or Easter Eggers? Individuals vary some, of course, but certain lines are especially known for good temperaments (Ex.: Wheaten and Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas are known for being REALLY people-friendly, and I've found them to be average or somewhat submissive mixers with other chickens.). You may be able to find out about the temperaments of the line you're getting from the breeder you're buying from.

 

[KellyGwen]

I have a bunch of EE's (hatchery americaunas) and they get along fine with my other chickens. Some of them are real "fence beggars" and others are a little more shy. I have 4 cockerels too (AHH! Want a few???) and although they like to tussle with each other and occasionally grab a pullets neck feathers they haven't done any damage. My little bantam cochin is more of a fighter than they are! I like them and can't wait for the green eggs!!!

 

[hippiehen]

Quote:
Heck no! I have 9 little buggers I'm trying to get rid of now!

Thank yall for your help, I think my little ladies will be fine when the time comes. Plus, I learned I have EE's instead of ameracuanas, since they are coming from a hatchery.

Thanks!!

 

[Chickenaddict]

I purchased 2 hens last fall for the banties i already had (needed a few big bodies to keep the little ones warm over winter) When i got them they already looked like they were of laying age but we didn't get any eggs from them until they were about 32 weeks old. Temperment was ok altho the darker hen was vicious towards me but was fine with the other chickens in fact my bantam cochins gave them ALOT of grief until they realized they could hide under their wings when it was 40 below. Goldie and Autumn were their names. Autumn was the vicious one bit me every chance she had but goldie was a sweetie and altho she didn't like to be held she loved to be petted and would eat treats right out of my hand. I rehomed them come spring only because autumn was sooo mean and goldie just loved her sister so i didn't want to seperate them. If i ever did get more down the line i think i would go with day old chicks that way you can hand raise them which should make them a bit more calm.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Yes, they play well with others, but they do sometimes run with scissors.

 

[chickiebaby]

Ha! Hooligans, do yours eat paste, too?

 

[hippiehen]

Quote:
LOL I do keep a pair out there! Better move them!