Americana

[12littlechicks]

Ok so I went to a chicken swap and got so new chicks, I got 2 white silkes, 2 lavender Orpington and 2 lavender Americanas so I was wondering if any one can tell me about the Americanas and I think one might be roo and I want to know if there a good breed, also I bought them all from a breeder

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Ok so I went to a chicken swap and got so new chicks, I got 2 white silkes, 2 lavender Orpington and 2 lavender Americanas so I was wondering if any one can tell me about the Americanas and I think one might be roo and I want to know if there a good breed, also I bought them all from a breeder

Congrats on your new additions. Were they labeled as Americanas with an i? I ask because it is actually spelled Ameraucana and the misspelling with an "i" is a common thing to see either with someone knowingly passing off EE as Ameraucanas *or* a breeder who does not know enough about their stock to realize the proper spelling which, again, = someone who likely has EE and not true Ameraucanas. Also, were they labeled/sold to you as "lavender"?
When you ask if they are a "good breed" - what are you looking for? Are you asking about production, temperament, or?
How old are the chicks? Depending on age, you may be able to get some good feedback on whether or not you have a roo by posting pictures in the "What breed or gender" forum.

 

[12littlechicks]

Sorry that was my fault my autocorrect Changed it and there only about a week old and yes she said lavender and she also had blues and I want to know what there temperament is like and if the are heat or cold hardy and will they get picked on or will they be more aggressive when it comes to the pecking order

 

[Michael OShay]

Ok so I went to a chicken swap and got so new chicks, I got 2 white silkes, 2 lavender Orpington and 2 lavender Americanas so I was wondering if any one can tell me about the Americanas and I think one might be roo and I want to know if there a good breed, also I bought them all from a breeder

Assuming that what you have are true Ameraucanas and not Easter Eggers, the answer to your question, "Are they a good breed?" depends on what you want in a breed. Ameraucanas were developed in the US, probably by crossing Auraucanas with other breeds to preserve the blue egg laying and produce the tail (Auraucanas are tailess), and remove the breeding problems inherent to Aruacanas. Ameraucanas do well either in confinement or free ranged. They are usually pretty calm and non-aggressive birds, although they can be quite stand-offish. They do not often go broody. Ameraucanas have muffs and a beard, and slate colored legs, and are very cold hardy birds. The hens are pretty good layers and will lay better than your Silkies, but probably not as well as your Orpingtons. Hope this helps.

 

[FVRM]

The best way to tell is from photos.

 

[Michael OShay]

There is a real good article on the differences between Aracaunas, Ameraucanas, Easter Eggers, and Olive Eggers (with pics) at http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/09/ameraucana-easter-egger-or-araucana.html