Americans

[TexasLady]

I have been to the auction recently, and they were selling American chicks. I thought it very strange because I thought poultry cannot be imported.

I stopped later to talk to a woman who had purchased some chicks that looked like barred Plymouth rocks. She said they were American chicks. She made it very clear that they were not Ameraucanas, and they lay brown eggs. I began to ask her a few questions, and she told me that the adults were supposed to look just like the babies (having that wild type body color like barred Rocks do), that they were a newer breed, and that they were really a breed.

Then I came to this site to see if I could find them listed. Searching for "Americans" leads to lots of posts about how people love our country, but I did not see anything about an "American" breed of chicken.

Does anyone know anything about these chickens? Are they really a "new breed" or is this just someone trying to start a new breed or making it all up?

 

[ChicKat]

Hmmmm

Maybe it was American Game?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Game_Fowl

 

[TexasLady]

You must be right although they are not advertising them as Game fowl only American. However, the various colors that the Game fowl include would explain how the chicks look similar to baby Ameraucanas (I think they actually looked more like Wheaten Ameraucanas now that I think about it). It seems strange to me that they are not announcing them as Game.

They sound like a really neat breed from the pieces I've read on them in the last hour or so.

I would imagine you're right. They apparently are endangered???

 

[java girl 2]

poultry can be imported, but It take a long time to get the birds through clearings to come to a new country. where are you from?

 

[ChicKat]

You must be right although they are not advertising them as Game fowl only American. However, the various colors that the Game fowl include would explain how the chicks look similar to baby Ameraucanas (I think they actually looked more like Wheaten Ameraucanas now that I think about it). It seems strange to me that they are not announcing them as Game.

They sound like a really neat breed from the pieces I've read on them in the last hour or so.

I would imagine you're right. They apparently are endangered???

Hi TexasLady,

Here's another thought, too.....the idea of 'game' poultry comes from cock fighting, I think. I believe now that it is illegal in all of the untied states. It could be that to promote them...they want to get as far away from that concept as possible. My understanding of all the game fowl is that they are hardy birds, and have enough intelligence to survive tough situations---close to their ancestors and not at all coddled poultry. I also think that they are a type of poultry that will go broody.

I can fully understand how you would be interested in them...they are really pretty too.... but then this is based on a premise that they ARE American Game --- ;O) Which reminds me...are 'Cornish Game Hens' in the grocery - game fowl. or a cross between a Cornish and a game...I guess I need to have a Google moment here.

 

[TexasLady]

I'm actually living in California right now. This is my 15th state to live in, so I guess I'm from the US.

I would guess they almost have to be American game. They are cute little chicks, and I had considered getting some to see if they do come up like wild type fowl. The woman seemed very positive, said they were good layers, and also said they were hearty chicks. But I won't get any now because I don't need roosters around killing my roosters or hens that are attack hens.

Thanks for the insight. I just didn't really know what they could be since the woman was absolutely sure they were a "new breec" called "Americans not Ameraucanas" which would make me wonder what they could have been.

 

[ChicKat]

That is soooo interesting. I guess that sometime in the future if there is a new breed that is just plain Americans...we will hear of it again. Thanks for posting.

 

[blackred]

Barred Rock chicks are not colored like "wild Type" but are mostly black with some cream color ( on the heads of male chicks)
When people talk of the wild type colored chick they are usually talking about the chipmunk color.
Also remember that Barred Plymouth Rock chickens are in the American Class of poultry in the APA.

One thing to keep in mind is that in this fast growing world of beginning poultry there are a lot of people who haven't a clue what they are talking about and they make up names and breeds all the time

Bob