Araucana thread anyone?

[Ravynscroft]

Ah, ok.... Thank you...

Last week I posted a want ad on a site called Poultry Central. A breeder in Maryland responded with pics, and at first I thought the birds were Ameraucanas, but then I realized they had crests! This breeder has a beautiful flock of what looks like European Standard, Lavender Araucanas.... Breeder said they have different color varieties and live birds available for shipment. They were gorgeous. If I was in the market for those, I'd be happy as a clam to get those birds! They also included pics of chicks with various color patterns...

Well, my newest clutch of eggs just arrived.... got them unpacked and letting them come up to room temp. The coolerbator is holding perfect temp & humidity...

Interesting... wonder how they got the European standard ones to the US?

Sorry your last batch didn't hatch, I was rooting for you...

Did you get more from Edd?

 

[n8ivetxn]

Thank you for the moral support!

Yeah, that's what I thought - how'd they get those? But I often wonder how we got "English Orpingtons?" I think the answer is: Money! LOL, works every time

I contacted Edd, he asked to know the results of my hatch. I was reluctant to tell him, but I did so as politely as possible....He was very apologetic and went on to say that in the spring he might not be offering eggs anymore, just because they don't do well....However, he didn't offer to send any replacements, and I didn't ask for any..... I could see me going down to Shasta in the spring and picking up a box-o-chix from him.... It's about a 9 hr drive, one way. I'd really like to see his birds and pick his brain. After 40+ years of breeding, he's got a lot of knowledge to share....

This clutch I just got, most came from Gary Ramey. A few came from a breeder in Mercer PA, Tammy Tomson. She has a small backyard flock - they look really nice, but I'm not sure what color I'd call them, maybe Birchen? One of the hens looked a little lighter in color, maybe some BBR in there somewhere.

Honestly, these eggs look better than the previous ones. Even though they came cross-country. The air sacs look smaller, most of Ramey's were intact (Tomson's were detached) and all the shells look good (not porous). Even the sizes were more uniform, not that that means anything...

After letting them set for 12hrs and come up to temp, I unplugged the turner last night and put them in the bator. Thought I'd try starting them without turning for a few hours.... Wish me luck!

 

[chickengr]

Thank you for the moral support!

Yeah, that's what I thought - how'd they get those? But I often wonder how we got "English Orpingtons?" I think the answer is: Money! LOL, works every time

I contacted Edd, he asked to know the results of my hatch. I was reluctant to tell him, but I did so as politely as possible....He was very apologetic and went on to say that in the spring he might not be offering eggs anymore, just because they don't do well....However, he didn't offer to send any replacements, and I didn't ask for any..... I could see me going down to Shasta in the spring and picking up a box-o-chix from him.... It's about a 9 hr drive, one way. I'd really like to see his birds and pick his brain. After 40+ years of breeding, he's got a lot of knowledge to share....

This clutch I just got, most came from Gary Ramey. A few came from a breeder in Mercer PA, Tammy Tomson. She has a small backyard flock - they look really nice, but I'm not sure what color I'd call them, maybe Birchen? One of the hens looked a little lighter in color, maybe some BBR in there somewhere.

Honestly, these eggs look better than the previous ones. Even though they came cross-country. The air sacs look smaller, most of Ramey's were intact (Tomson's were detached) and all the shells look good (not porous). Even the sizes were more uniform, not that that means anything...

After letting them set for 12hrs and come up to temp, I unplugged the turner last night and put them in the bator. Thought I'd try starting them without turning for a few hours.... Wish me luck!

this year has been bad for hatching all over the world. good luck this time!

 

[n8ivetxn]

So I'm not alone?!

I'm beginning to understand why this breed is so difficult to find, LOL, it's hard to believe they've made it this far!

 

[Ravynscroft]

Thank you for the moral support! Yeah, that's what I thought - how'd they get those? But I often wonder how we got "English Orpingtons?" I think the answer is: Money! LOL, works every time I contacted Edd, he asked to know the results of my hatch. I was reluctant to tell him, but I did so as politely as possible....He was very apologetic and went on to say that in the spring he might not be offering eggs anymore, just because they don't do well....However, he didn't offer to send any replacements, and I didn't ask for any..... I could see me going down to Shasta in the spring and picking up a box-o-chix from him.... It's about a 9 hr drive, one way. I'd really like to see his birds and pick his brain. After 40+ years of breeding, he's got a lot of knowledge to share.... This clutch I just got, most came from Gary Ramey. A few came from a breeder in Mercer PA, Tammy Tomson. She has a small backyard flock - they look really nice, but I'm not sure what color I'd call them, maybe Birchen? One of the hens looked a little lighter in color, maybe some BBR in there somewhere. Honestly, these eggs look better than the previous ones. Even though they came cross-country. The air sacs look smaller, most of Ramey's were intact (Tomson's were detached) and all the shells look good (not porous). Even the sizes were more uniform, not that that means anything... After letting them set for 12hrs and come up to temp, I unplugged the turner last night and put them in the bator. Thought I'd try starting them without turning for a few hours.... Wish me luck!

Oh, don't get me wrong, I know there are a few who import rare breeds, GFF being the most infamous, I just hadn't heard of anyone even thinking of importing those... figured we have enough confusion here with our own standard Araucanas, Ameraucanas and EE's, lol... Sorry for those eggs, though getting live birds is always your best bet... I know Ramey's stock, hatched a few from him myself... nice birds... the only thing is he does have his colors mixed, so getting them to a proper color will take some work, just an fyi... I kept a nice tailed black from his and she is throwing some gorgeous tufted, rumpless babies under Apollo... Birchen looking sounds like duckwing color mix... I had gotten a gorgeous cock that looked birchen out of a duckwing and different color hens... No matter what, Araucanas will always be work to keep to type and color... but they sure are worth it! Good luck on your hatch and keep us posted!

 

[n8ivetxn]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I know there are a few who import rare breeds, GFF being the most infamous, I just hadn't heard of anyone even thinking of importing those... figured we have enough confusion here with our own standard Araucanas, Ameraucanas and EE's, lol...

I know right?! What a mess, lol...

I'll be happy with whatever colors I get, LOL! But, yes, I've heard Gary's colors are a mess....what a shame. I'm surprised by that really, doesn't he show? Maybe not Araucanas.... That's part of the reason I was big on getting some birds from Edd, I know he separates his colors and has something like 28 pens

.... Could you imagine?!

 

[Ravynscroft]

I know right?! What a mess, lol...

I'll be happy with whatever colors I get, LOL! But, yes, I've heard Gary's colors are a mess....what a shame. I'm surprised by that really, doesn't he show? Maybe not Araucanas.... That's part of the reason I was big on getting some birds from Edd, I know he separates his colors and has something like 28 pens .... Could you imagine?!

The US just likes to do things the hard way, lol...

I don't think he shows anymore, plus most people just want rumpless, tufted and blue eggs... they don't realize how hard it is to get fully even, bilateral DT, rumpless and pure blue eggs on top of correct coloring... anyways, lol...

28 pens isn't hard to end up with, especially when working with multiple varieties and/or breeds... I have at least half that and still need more, lol...


Best to pick a single color variety and work from there or if you just want rumpless and tufted, go with mixed colors...

 

[chickengr]

The US just likes to do things the hard way, lol...

I don't think he shows anymore, plus most people just want rumpless, tufted and blue eggs... they don't realize how hard it is to get fully even, bilateral DT, rumpless and pure blue eggs on top of correct coloring... anyways, lol...

28 pens isn't hard to end up with, especially when working with multiple varieties and/or breeds... I have at least half that and still need more, lol...


Best to pick a single color variety and work from there or if you just want rumpless and tufted, go with mixed colors...

I have mixed colours as well. 1 of the girls developed a small tail and I am 100% sure she comes from pure rumpless flock - atavistic return? I believe her offspring will be rumpless again. what colours can I expect from these?



as you can see my boys are: red/ mahogany and black/chocolate/mahogany and my girls are blue and splash with golden head and neck. the one with the tail has splash tail. I have the other 2 girls but they don't lay well so I am not going to breed them.

 

[terrysteph]

Hello all. We first became chicken lovers in 2012 with our first chick days batch. We then began educating ourselves on various breeds when I ran across an article on the rumpless tufted Araucana. I immediately fell in love with everything about these birds and told my husband about them. We have both been fascinated with them since. We acquired a few hatching eggs and began our learning experience in the joy and heartbreak of Araucana parenting. We also by chance came across a small flock of another breeders culls. All nice birds and a good start. So we have been at it... Reading learning working with what we have. Our flock is still small and slow growing but developing nicely. We are thinking it is time for some new blood. Possibly adding a few more tufts in the group. Any ideas where to start? It seems a lot of the Araucana breeder sites are outdated sales info. Any recent experiences others care to share aquiring birds is much appreciated.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I have mixed colours as well. 1 of the girls developed a small tail and I am 100% sure she comes from pure rumpless flock - atavistic return? I believe her offspring will be rumpless again. what colours can I expect from these? as you can see my boys are: red/ mahogany and black/chocolate/mahogany and my girls are blue and splash with golden head and neck. the one with the tail has splash tail. I have the other 2 girls but they don't lay well so I am not going to breed them.

Not sure on exact colors, you'll have to breed them to see... but looks like a heavy influence of wheaten coloring... I have a fully rumpless bantam cock over a DT, fully rumpless bantam hen... every single one of their offspring that hatched with tufts (all DT's even) also has a complete and full tail... so yes, it does happen... just keep breeding out the tails...

Hello all. We first became chicken lovers in 2012 with our first chick days batch. We then began educating ourselves on various breeds when I ran across an article on the rumpless tufted Araucana. I immediately fell in love with everything about these birds and told my husband about them. We have both been fascinated with them since. We acquired a few hatching eggs and began our learning experience in the joy and heartbreak of Araucana parenting. We also by chance came across a small flock of another breeders culls. All nice birds and a good start. So we have been at it... Reading learning working with what we have. Our flock is still small and slow growing but developing nicely. We are thinking it is time for some new blood. Possibly adding a few more tufts in the group. Any ideas where to start? It seems a lot of the Araucana breeder sites are outdated sales info. Any recent experiences others care to share aquiring birds is much appreciated.

Have you tried the Araucana Breeders Club of America's breeder list? Which variety are you looking for?