Araucana thread anyone?

[cashdl]

I'm confused about something. Smoothmule's top two birds have normal tails. Is that acceptable practice to breed birds with tails? Are they still considered purebred? All this is so new to me.

As Cathy said, breed what makes you feel comfortable but always keep an eye on the standard of perfection for the araucana. Remember these are just chickens and don't get too caught up in the pure versus mutts arguments. The end game is a rumpless tufted blue egg layer. How you get there really doesn't matter because the araucana is judged by its phenotype or looks, not its pedigree. It is also not judged by what it produces because, the araucana by nature does not breed true to the standard of perfection. A tailed and tufted bird can produce any of the following variations depending on what it is bred to.

The collonca - rumpless and cleanfaced, blue egg layer. The Ketro - Tailed and Tufted, blue egg layer. The Collonca De Aretes ( North American Araucana) - rumpless, tufted, and blue egg laying.

Probably the most important thing when breeding the araucana responsibly, is learning where they came from and where they are headed. Get yourself a Standard of Perfection, get a copy of Cathy Brunsons book " Rings on their Ears" and learn as much as you can. Learning a little color genetics doesn't hurt either because it will help you make informed breeding choices.

Lanae

 

[Penturner]

I have two Auracauna we hatched last summer free. Prefer they are picked up but will work out details of shipping if necessary. We live in town and they are starting to get complaints from the neighbors about their crowing. Otherwise healthy happy and crowing.

Please PM me if you are interested so I am sure to see your message.

 

[Ksane]

As Cathy said, breed what makes you feel comfortable but always keep an eye on the standard of perfection for the araucana. Remember these are just chickens and don't get too caught up in the pure versus mutts arguments. The end game is a rumpless tufted blue egg layer. How you get there really doesn't matter because the araucana is judged by its phenotype or looks, not its pedigree. It is also not judged by what it produces because, the araucana by nature does not breed true to the standard of perfection. A tailed and tufted bird can produce any of the following variations depending on what it is bred to.
The collonca - rumpless and cleanfaced, blue egg layer. The Ketro - Tailed and Tufted, blue egg layer. The Collonca De Aretes ( North American Araucana) - rumpless, tufted, and blue egg laying.
Probably the most important thing when breeding the araucana responsibly, is learning where they came from and where they are headed. Get yourself a Standard of Perfection, get a copy of Cathy Brunsons book " Rings on their Ears" and learn as much as you can. Learning a little color genetics doesn't hurt either because it will help you make informed breeding choices.
Lanae

I love the general attitude of this board vs other breeds (who will remain unnamed lol) It opens up the possibility of SO many colors compared to the rigid colors 'allowed' in other breeds.
One thing I'd have never realized without owning them though-their calm & gentle natures-wow. The 3 adults I got won't come up and sit on my lap, yet they follow us everywhere when we're in their yard talking to us the whole time and wanting to see what we're doing. The 3 pullets are about 2 months old and they stand there calmly literally just waiting for me to sit down in their pen so they can jump up in my lap. I didn't raise these pullets myself, are they just naturally tame like this? The 7 I hatched are gentle and sweet and curious, too. Is this typical???
I'm serious-if this is what they're like I'll never be without my "No Butts Allowed" yard. These guys are awesome.

 

[shanshan51]

I have two Auracauna we hatched last summer free. Prefer they are picked up but will work out details of shipping if necessary. We live in town and they are starting to get complaints from the neighbors about their crowing. Otherwise healthy happy and crowing.

Please PM me if you are interested so I am sure to see your message.

Are they both boys?

 

[poularde]

So, my sweet little boy Precious has become hormonal. I spent the day yesterday getting pens set up to separate him from his sisters. He was bothering them way to much. So I put him in a free range situation with older birds that he never bothers and some younger cockerels. I expected some scuffles, but with all the room it usually works out since they can get away from each other.

Well I had something happen that I never have had happen before. He went after the younger boys, of course, but then he proceeded to rape the little guys.

I have him separated now. My question is will he get any better? I usually raise younger cockerels with my head roo. The head rooster usually teaches them some manners. I really love this guy, but I do not know if this is something I want to use with my birds. I plan on putting a couple older hens with him to hopefully teach him some manners. Had to share.

 

[shanshan51]

So, my sweet little boy Precious has become hormonal. I spent the day yesterday getting pens set up to separate him from his sisters. He was bothering them way to much. So I put him in a free range situation with older birds that he never bothers and some younger cockerels. I expected some scuffles, but with all the room it usually works out since they can get away from each other.

Well I had something happen that I never have had happen before. He went after the younger boys, of course, but then he proceeded to rape the little guys.

I have him separated now. My question is will he get any better? I usually raise younger cockerels with my head roo. The head rooster usually teaches them some manners. I really love this guy, but I do not know if this is something I want to use with my birds. I plan on putting a couple older hens with him to hopefully teach him some manners. Had to share.

I would like to know the suggestions here too. I have one boy that does this to all his younger siblings. He isn't hurting them but def annoying them.

 

[cashdl]

I love the general attitude of this board vs other breeds (who will remain unnamed lol) It opens up the possibility of SO many colors compared to the rigid colors 'allowed' in other breeds.
One thing I'd have never realized without owning them though-their calm & gentle natures-wow. The 3 adults I got won't come up and sit on my lap, yet they follow us everywhere when we're in their yard talking to us the whole time and wanting to see what we're doing. The 3 pullets are about 2 months old and they stand there calmly literally just waiting for me to sit down in their pen so they can jump up in my lap. I didn't raise these pullets myself, are they just naturally tame like this? The 7 I hatched are gentle and sweet and curious, too. Is this typical???
I'm serious-if this is what they're like I'll never be without my "No Butts Allowed" yard. These guys are awesome.

In general the Araucana is one of the most self assured, funny personalitied,very nosy, friendly breed of chicken. They are rarely pets, but love human companionship. They typically don't want to be petted or picked up but with submit to such attention if they have to. I do have two pet araucana out of the 100 or so I have running around. 1 is a rooster who thinks I am his girl and he loves to be held and told what a beautiful boy he is, and the other is a runty little hen that will stand on my foot rather than the ground. She loves to be carried around and will usually promptly fall asleep once picked up. The rest are nice birds that are always interested in what you are doing but would rather you didn't pet them.

I have had two roosters that were mean brutes, not of my breeding. One I ate and another I traded away. The araucana should not be mean or aggressive.

I am completely fascinated by these chickens, their funny little behinds, their silly looking tufts, their blue eggs, and amazing personalities.
They are a breed well worth having.

Lanae

 

[BackyardCoop]

So, my sweet little boy Precious has become hormonal. I spent the day yesterday getting pens set up to separate him from his sisters. He was bothering them way to much. So I put him in a free range situation with older birds that he never bothers and some younger cockerels. I expected some scuffles, but with all the room it usually works out since they can get away from each other.

Well I had something happen that I never have had happen before. He went after the younger boys, of course, but then he proceeded to rape the little guys.

I have him separated now. My question is will he get any better? I usually raise younger cockerels with my head roo. The head rooster usually teaches them some manners. I really love this guy, but I do not know if this is something I want to use with my birds. I plan on putting a couple older hens with him to hopefully teach him some manners. Had to share.

Mine would even bother older cockerels. So my Arucana pair has a smaller coop and they are separated from the rest of the chickens. Unfortunatley, mine didn't get any better and I feel bad they are in a smaller coop alone but he seems to prefer it that it be that way. (just him and his hen)

 

[syble]

Hows everyone making out!? I've been so busy lately I've lost touch with this thread and thought i'd touch base again. I've finally got a decent assortment out in pens and brooders, I should have 30 or so to choose from for breeding next spring. I need some help on what the heck i've got color wise though, care to take a guess?


beautiful little pullet i think. lovely green legs. Assorted shades of red from deep mahogany to straw, with blue undertones.

Another little pullet, wicked green legs, and although she is dark, shes not quite this dark


I have no idea what this is, I've got 4 or 5 of them though, some have more white, some have a bit of mahogany mixed in, looks male to me.

Motley crew? ignor the 1.5 buff orps in there lol. the light one up front is what the chick that was pegged as a wheaten is looking like now.


No cooperation, but this little blue has suck lovely lacing, I hope it strengthens as it matures like my orps do! I'm so excited lol

Any thoughts would be appreciated on the rest, thanks!
Sib

 

[syble]

meant to ask about this little guy too. as a chick you guys thought he might be a splash cuckoo, now that hes feathered in more any thoughts?