Araucana thread anyone?

[cackleberrycoop]

Quote:
All offsprung would be blue.

And, (correct me if I'm wrong), but this pairing is a very good choice for good deep blue color in the feathers.



Wow guys, this thread was rocking and rolling yesterday! I always miss the good conversations! Good stuff, fun reading this morning (lots of reading!). I love the knowledge that gets hashed out in this thread.

 

[puredelite]

I'm with you cackleberry, some great discussions without all the bickering that I have noted on some other threads on BYC. Araucana's are a challenge and I believe that is what attracts most of us. Great too that we can learn from other's experiences and observations that are posted on here. So.... please let us keep this thing going strong! BTW, really like the pics from different areas of the country.

 

[Alchmyst]

Hello all, Ive been reading this thread for a while and I see reference to "leaky" in regard to hackle color. Please forgive my ignorance, but could someone please explain this a little further? Thanks in advance.

Rob

 

[cackleberrycoop]

Quote:
Hi Rob.

It has to do with colors that are incomplete dominate. So, the chicken inherited two totally different color genes from the two parents, and the one that is dominant (say white) presents and is what we see as the color of the bird, but is unable to totally cover, hide the recessive color gene, which is able to affect the color of some feathers, just enough to look like a color is "leaking" through the white feathers. There may be other instances of when and how a color "leaks through" genetically speaking - there are different ways that genes interact so I'm sure this is not an entire explanation of all ways that colors leak, but this is the one that I understand.

 

[poularde]

Yesterday I picked up my first Araucana cockerel.

He was hatched this spring. I am very excited he seems to be an interesting bird. I am posting some pics of him. What do you think of his color? Also does he have a good or bad comb? Sorry for the blurry pics. Had the camera on the wrong setting plus he would not stay still. I only have one Araucana pullet who is clean faced and tailed. She is the only chick I had hatch of 24 eggs. She may not be breeding quality, but I think she is the most beautiful girl. I hope to get more eggs before to long. I think I really enjoy this breed.

 

[Medicine Man]

Gorgeous!

But I know nothing beyond that.

 

[Illia]

His color is pretty, but it in a nutshell is a gold leaky blue. In other words, it can/should only be used for the prettiness factor.

His comb is really bad, it shouldn't be so tall or hang to the side. It needs to be very small, short, and tight while curving to the form of his head. Also, his wattles are too big. Ideally an Araucana should have very small wattles and comb.

His body though, so far, (he's still young) looks VERY nice! One thing I find with a lot of Araucanas around here are bad butts. An Araucana needs a "posterior" shape of body, which includes having a nice round and large cusion (the butt) while the wings are held to the side, not over the saddle.

I'm hoping he's just hunkering around though. . . He should have a nice, upright posture.

 

[puredelite]

Not meaning to be critical at all but from what I have learned so far about the breed is that maybe his comb is not entirely correct. As far as the coloration, that is beyond my knowledge. Would like to see pics of your little hen, am always intrigued by the "one" that did hatch, 'specially considering it was out of 24 eggs!

 

[cackleberrycoop]

Well, your asking someone here who absolutely loves blue birds with other color leakage, so, I think he is stunning!

 

[cackleberrycoop]

Quote:
If anyone here knows about body type, it's Illia; her birds are some of the best shaped Araucanas I've seen. I go back to your photos to help me judge other birds all the time.