Ameraucanas

[ChickenWisperer]

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Why not? They use black.

Because both the blue and the lavender genes dilute black pigment. The blue gene dilutes all black pigment in a black bird to a grey color (the shade can vary). The lavender gene dilutes all black pigment in a black bird to the lavender color (which is a uniform shade of grey). Also, lavender is a simple recessive, if you have two copies of the lavender gene you have a lavender bird. If you only have one, you have a black bird. Blue is not a simple recessive, if you have two copies of blue you have a splash bird, if you only have one copy you have a blue bird. If you cross blue and lavender birds, you will end up with a muddy genetic mess that will take years to work out. Using black works because it is the "base" color so to speak and you don't have to worry about colors leaking.

Ah. Thank you

 

[janchilds]

So if you have Lavender birds you only want to breed to Lavenders? Would you ever want to breed to a black to improve other breed characteristics other than color?

Thanks for all the info! It has been very helpful.

I wasn't able to find the link on the coloring gene though... can someone post a link to it directly? Thanks again!!

 

[blaundee]

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Yes, blacks are what you use to improve your flock.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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I don't believe this is correct. As soon as you mix colors, the result is no longer recognized as Ameraucana and is, in fact, an EE.

 

[janchilds]

Have been doing a little research and found these two clips on the web...

(breeder site: www.thefancychicken.com)
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 description as defined in the APA standards.
Further, even if a bird (that possesses the blue egg gene) meets an APA 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. (The American Poultry Association's American
Standard of Perfection)
This means if your bird does not meet a color requirement, it is in Easter Egger. In other words, most Easter Egg chickens are "mutts"
which happen to carry the blue egg gene. True Ameraucanas are rare.

(club page: www.ameraucana.org)
AMERAUCANA VARIETIES (Large Fowl & Bantam)
Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten & White
Disqualifications include presence of ear tuffs and absence of beard & muffs.

So I guess the beautiful Lavender Ameraucanas, that have stolen my heart, until recognized as a true variety are EE's. Although Lavenders aren't every where... I wonder how long before they recognize them too.

Janet

 

[janchilds]

Any idea where I can find a good flock of Black Ameraucanas?

 

[kinsey228]

What color would you call this ?

 

[Goose and Fig]

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Not too many people offering chicks this time of year, but it would be good to get on a breeder's wait list a.s.a.p.
www.ameraucana.org

As for the whole lavender thing- you really need to have some nice black birds in your flock to improve type and egg color. Constant breeding of lavender to lavender will NOT help get this color accepted- it will just lead to an abundance of junky birds- like what happened to the lavender orpingtons. If you don't take the steps to improve you will never get good birds.

 

[Goose and Fig]

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Wild type EE coloring.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

I agree, only with blue instead of black.