Ameraucanas from Ideal

[grullablue]

I'm going to go crazy waiting for my order from Ideal...but It's abut 5 weeks away, as I wanted time to build my new, larger brooder. So I'm sure I'm driving BYC crazy. Among others, I ordered some Ameraucanas. I have never had these birds before, and I see they can vary as far as color, egg color, etc. I am curious if anyone has any grown Ameraucanas FROM IDEAL HATCHERY could you share pics?? What kind of egg colors did you get?

Thanks! My curiosity is killing me already!
Angie

 

[Judy]

I had two who lay nice blue eggs and four who lay brown eggs. They are almost undoubtedly Easter Eggers rather than Ameraucanas. Hatcheries have been doing this with the breed name for a long time.

 

[shmccarthy]

There are a few select hatcheries that carry pure Ameracaunas and most of those are around $18 each. Even then, I personally don't think quality is guaranteed. Most hatcheries will spell the name wrong "Ameracanas or Americanas" on purpose, to get around selling Easter Eggers as Ameracaunas. There's nothing wrong with Easter Eggers though! Most people prefer the Easter Eggers, actually. I've had my fair share and I absolutely loved them. I loved hatching them because they are so mixed, all the babies ended up being different colors than the parents and it was always a surprise. I also have heard that Easter Eggers are generally better layers and calmer than the purebred Ameracaunas. The Easter Eggers lay really pretty green, pink and sometimes blue eggs.
However, if you do want pure Ameracaunas, the best places to get them is from a reputable breeder. I have 25 chicks coming this spring time from John Blehm. I read a lot about him and he's really creditable and his prices are a lot better than the other breeders I have looked at.

 

[aart]

There are a few select hatcheries that carry pure Ameracaunas and most of those are around $18 each. Even then, I personally don't think quality is guaranteed. Most hatcheries will spell the name wrong "Ameracanas or Americanas" on purpose, to get around selling Easter Eggers as Ameracaunas. There's nothing wrong with Easter Eggers though! Most people prefer the Easter Eggers, actually. I've had my fair share and I absolutely loved them. I loved hatching them because they are so mixed, all the babies ended up being different colors than the parents and it was always a surprise. I also have heard that Easter Eggers are generally better layers and calmer than the purebred Ameracaunas. The Easter Eggers lay really pretty green, pink and sometimes blue eggs.
However, if you do want pure Ameracaunas, the best places to get them is from a reputable breeder. I have 25 chicks coming this spring time from John Blehm. I read a lot about him and he's really creditable and his prices are a lot better than the other breeders I have looked at.

Ooooo, lucky you!!

 

[ChickCrazed]

I would hope the hatcheries that are charging $18 a chick are selling real Amaracaunas!!!! I have also heard that many of them are Easter Eggers.

 

[seann]

I also got one ameraucana from Ideal, she (hopefully a she) is still 6-day old though.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I've gotten 4 EEs from Ideal, in 2 separate orders. I was very pleased both times. All of the girls, and they were all girls just like every other sexed puller I've ordered from them, laid bluish-greenish eggs and they were pretty good layers. They were beautiful as well. But, they were very skittish. The white Leghorns I got from them were friendlier (they were VERY friendly).

Enjoy your chicks

 

[Judy]

That's a bit unusual. Leghorns have a reputation for being very skittish, and many people say their EE's are their friendly birds. But they are individuals, in the end. Mine were pretty calm but not my friendliest. They were also not my best layers, quitting in winter and laying more like 4 than 6 a week at the height of their good laying periods.

 

[dheltzel]

I've never had a problem with the Easter Eggers from hatcheries and recommend them for new chicken owners. If you want all blue eggs and consistent looking plumage, then you can get some real Ameracaunas for the next round. You do know you will be wanting more chickens soon anyway, right
?

I've never dealt with John Blehm, but he seem to have a good reputation. I believe he breeds for showing more than egg production, if that is important. I have bought BBS Ameracaunas from Whitmore Farm and am very happy with them. They are not show quality (and not promoted as such). Will there breeds for production egg laying, which is more important to me. The hatcheries that sell them for $18 each are probably reselling them from people like John and Will, and you would save money and get better birds going direct.

One caveat is that all these places sell out early. The demand for special chicks and eggs seems to far outstrip the supply, so order early if you have your heart set on something. Most places have waiting lists.

 

[conny63malies]

I think the only larger hatchery that sells real Ameraucanas and not some misspelled or what not EEs is Meyer Hatchery in Ohio. THeir wheatens A's are quite expensive though . I just ordered two of their EE and hope for the best.