Ameraucanas in a Nutshell (looking for pictures of Ameraucanas with defects and quality birds)

[NagemTX]

I thought that was basically the definition of Easter Egger. If an Ameraucana comes out of an egg with a rose comb he's an Easter Egger

He has no DQs. I posted the SOP. Please read it.

 

[BantyChooks]

I thought that was basically the definition of Easter Egger. If an Ameraucana comes out of an egg with a rose comb he's an Easter Egger

I don’t have my SOP with me but if I recall correctly a rose comb would be a DQ whereas the issues mentioned with that bird are defects. Treated very differently for showing. Also, I always disliked that definition. Any other bird with DQs would just be a poor example of that breed, but still of that breed. I don’t see why Ameraucanas should be different. I had a Chantecler with a rose comb. Still a chantecler, just a crappy one. IMO, if a bird is from a line that breeds true, then it IS whatever the genetic group is, albeit not necessarily of quality. Moving them into the EE category is silly. (This is not at all directed at you, but rather a general bone I have to pick with these things.)

 

[NagemTX]

I don’t have my SOP with me but if I recall correctly a rose comb would be a DQ whereas the issues mentioned with that bird are defects. Treated very differently for showing. Also, I always disliked that definition. Any other bird with DQs would just be a poor example of that breed, but still of that breed. I don’t see why Ameraucanas should be different. I had a Chantecler with a rose comb. Still a chantecler, just a crappy one. IMO, if a bird is from a line that breeds true, then it IS whatever the genetic group is, albeit not necessarily of quality. Moving them into the EE category is silly. (This is not at all directed at you, but rather a general bone I have to pick with these things.)

I agree with this. I just got tired of fighting Ameraucana elitists.

 

[BantyChooks]

I agree with this. I just got tired of fighting Ameraucana elitists.

Nice birds, by the way. I worked with silvers for a few years until a series of unfortunate accidents ended the line. They had roach back, duck foot, crooked keels, the works, plus unmentionable defects to go along with the DQs, but they were very pretty and had impressive feather quality. I miss them and would like to get some again eventually.

 

[NagemTX]

Nice birds, by the way. I worked with silvers for a few years until a series of unfortunate accidents ended the line. They had roach back, duck foot, crooked keels, the works, plus unmentionable defects to go along with the DQs, but they were very pretty and had impressive feather quality. I miss them and would like to get some again eventually.

The ones I just hatched look crossed with wheaten. They also had more cross beaks then I've ever seen in one hatching. I'll be selling them off and not adding them to the flock. They were not from the breeder I normally order from. I need to get another dozen from GypsyHen.

 

[NagemTX]

Spoke with Jessica (GypsyHen) for like 2hrs last night and we switched my order from bantam to LF. Should have them next weekend.

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

Does anyone have good beak pictures or defects? I have covered cross beak already but want to do a detailed description on how the beak should look along with examples.

Summary from the Standard...
The beak should be short with a wide base and a slight downward curve to it. Should be horn - black, can have some darker markings.
Lighter colored birds (white, splash, ermine ect) can have lighter colored beaks including a pinkish/tan beak with horn shading.

Defects can be: Cross beak, crowhead, and yellow markings on the beak (which is a DQ)

Above is what I've put together on the beak so far. Let me know if you disagree with anything that you see or have some suggestions or examples.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

 

[NagemTX]

Does anyone have good beak pictures or defects? I have covered cross beak already but want to do a detailed description on how the beak should look along with examples.

Summary from the Standard...
The beak should be short with a wide base and a slight downward curve to it. Should be horn - black, can have some darker markings.
Lighter colored birds (white, splash, ermine ect) can have lighter colored beaks including a pinkish/tan beak with horn shading.

Defects can be: Cross beak, crowhead, and yellow markings on the beak (which is a DQ)

Above is what I've put together on the beak so far. Let me know if you disagree with anything that you see or have some suggestions or examples.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Some beak pictures.

I'll look for more and do an edit.

More head shots. This is a hatchery birds from Cackle by the way. Look at that comb.

 

[RememberTheWay]

I've been breeding various breeds for the last 4 years including Ameraucanas which I started with 2 years ago. I work to breed to the SOP and am a NPIP breeder. I enjoy educating others (and always learning new things myself) on the standard of various breeds and what the birds should look like. So I've decided to learn and right research articles on every chicken breed A-Z and then I hope to go into details on color genetics. I'm learning as I write. My hope would be to eventually write a book...but I will be offering this as a resource on different platforms for free for others to learn from.
The first breed I'm starting with is Ameraucanas, a breed I'm very familiar with and already know the standards for. I am however looking for more pictures to add to my articles.
I need examples of the following if anyone is willing to share, you will get picture credit.
(Defects)
Crow head
Crossbeak (Have pictures now )
Incorrect eye color
Large or irregular combs
Squirrel tail
Pinched tail
Split wing
Narrow body
Very long or very short legs
Yellow feet
Leakage/brassiness
(Any other common defects we need to look out for please)
And then good typed birds and close ups of the head and good eye color if anyone has...

Or just feel free to share pictures of your birds and I can help you evaluate them, though let me be the first to tell you I am no professional.

I am looking for pictures of Ameraucanas but if you have pictures of the common faults in other breeds thats fine as well.


Thankyou and have a blessed day.

I don't know what order these photo's will post but included in them are pictures of the following:

Split Tail on a hen

Leg Color on a Ermine Ameraucana rooster - his legs are blue slate but are too light IMHO

Comb defect on a Lavender Ameraucana
Rooster- I'm unsure of what this is called when the comb isn't securely attached to the back of the head

I have some pictures of pinched tail too but couldn't find them. Wanted to say that you should make sure to stress that evaluation for split tail should not be done a bird that hasn't reached maturity. I've seen plenty of cockerels and pullets that appeared to have pinched tails as youngsters only to mature out to very nicely spread tails