Black Americuana general temperament- this chick is draining me!

[BigBlueHen53]

I don't use treats in dog training so I can see the sense in what you're saying.

 

[Hartwood Hollow Farm]

So I received my chicks from Meyer Hatchery, and they had to make a last-minute substitution for one of the breeds. They recommended the Black Ameraucana, explaining that despite the tiny comb, they’re still heat-tolerant and a bit slimmer than the, uh, more “robust” breeds (eh, hem). That was actually perfect since our terrain here is no joke, and this time around I wanted to be very selective about my choices—it took me months to narrow it all down.

Anyway… this little rascal has turned out to be the biggest eater of the bunch (even compared to the Opal Legbar, Basque, and Wheaten Olive Roo- and any of the others I raised), and she’s ridiculously agile (jumping fluttering on anything- and zooies in circles around my feet), clingy, and friendly. When I lean over the brooder, she—yes, her name is Kraken—launches herself straight up to my shoulder like I’m a pirate. And while we are outside- the first to come running when I call but almost does parkour.

She’s also by far the loudest chick I’ve ever raised; even her baby chirps have serious volume (not distress- which she also does, but just normal pepps). She’s just over two weeks old now, and I’ve honestly never had a chick this… intense.

I didn’t research this breed much since it was a last-second substitution—but now I’m curious: is this kind of behavior typical for Black Ameraucanas?

Thanks!

This is Kraken:
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Im sorry am I reading that right…$23.07 for a day old female? Whaaaaaaa? Went back and read some other responses you made… now it makes some sense…but still…i guess the little buggers get a private charter flight…

 

[CabritaChicks]

Im sorry am I reading that right…$23.07 for a day old female? Whaaaaaaa? Went back and read some other responses you made… now it makes some sense…but still…i guess the little buggers get a private charter flight…

They’re also more rare and specialized breeds, not the typical backyard varieties. The cost is irrelevant to me—as long as the birds are healthy, comfortable, and content. I initially wanted to include some of the simpler, more common breeds, but most of them just don’t thrive in my environment. They struggle with extreme heat, high humidity, and rugged terrain, or simply don’t have the temperament or egg color I’m looking for. That’s why I’m meticulous—some might say obsessive—about their care. I’m fully committed to giving them the best possible conditions, regardless of the expense.

I think Kraken will do well- judging from her crazy parkour skills at just over two weeks she is jumping on the sofa with ease for cuddles- she will be able to scale the rock bluffs on the property that many are over a meter and a half high. Gotta get those verticals gal!

Edit: They are playing right now. You can see she has world domination on her mind.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I have 18 chicks right now, about 15 weeks old. Not practical for me to cuddle each one. Treats work and will have to do. Nice if you can do it though.

That would be too many for me—I’ve found my magic number is around five chicks, and definitely no more than eight birds total (but chicken math- and now I dont have a green egg layer... hmmmm).

I’m always fascinated by the setups other people have—different breeds, different environments, different routines. Yet somehow, we all end up sharing the same kinds of challenges, whether our flocks are small, medium, or massive. It really makes this a uniquely living, ever-evolving hobby.

 

[kattabelly]

I’m always fascinated by the setups other people have—different breeds, different environments, different routines. Yet somehow, we all end up sharing the same kinds of challenges, whether our flocks are small, medium, or massive. It really makes this a uniquely living, ever-evolving hobby.

So true.

I live on the biggest island of a not-remotely-tropical archipelago (mainland is a bit over 20 miles across depending on how you measure, population 18,000). I have around 20 chickens. I've been visiting a breeder in the next group of islands today, a bit over 100 miles away. He has literally hundreds of birds and a totally different housing set-up and I've spent most of the day saying "that sounds familiar" and "I have exactly the same issue"

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Ayup. Chickens is chickens.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

They’re also more rare and specialized breeds, not the typical backyard varieties. The cost is irrelevant to me—as long as the birds are healthy, comfortable, and content. I initially wanted to include some of the simpler, more common breeds, but most of them just don’t thrive in my environment. They struggle with extreme heat, high humidity, and rugged terrain, or simply don’t have the temperament or egg color I’m looking for. That’s why I’m meticulous—some might say obsessive—about their care. I’m fully committed to giving them the best possible conditions, regardless of the expense.

I think Kraken will do well- judging from her crazy parkour skills at just over two weeks she is jumping on the sofa with ease for cuddles- she will be able to scale the rock bluffs on the property that many are over a meter and a half high. Gotta get those verticals gal!

Edit: They are playing right now. You can see she has world domination on her mind.
View attachment 4231630

I ordered from the same hatchery and ended up with a couple of their Ameraucana pullets. Splash and Black.

I'm hands off with birds unless I need to be (so they aren't real friendly) But the few times I had to handle them, the Black Ameraucana was the most chill. So of course, she ended up being a cockerel (it's working out so far. Still, that meant one less chance at a blue egg. But, chances that his chicks will have blue and green eggs)

And the Splash Ameraucana? Fiercely broody! But I'm fine with that.

She actually survived an animal attack, somehow with just losing feathers and no noticeable wounds. She did lose one of the chicks she was raising.
My Orpington actually stepped in to take over the parenting duties of the chicks who were almost two weeks old? I was surprised the Ameraucana allowed that, but she really needed a rest.
Unfortunately, Orp passed... she was an amazing mom... Ameraucana resumed all mom duties immediately, even though it had been a month (chick was 6 weeks old) so, also an amazing mom.

I like a variety in my flock, but I could do an entire flock of Ameraucana after having these guys (and, more orpingtons.... after enough grieving time...)
I would like more colors, though.

But the personality of your Kraken matches more with my Ancona pullets. So adventurous, first to check everything out. Leads the whole flock. They're great. Love having them in a flock.

I wanted to try some Penedesenca chicks, but they weren't available when I ordered.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I ordered from the same hatchery and ended up with a couple of their Ameraucana pullets. Splash and Black.

I'm hands off with birds unless I need to be (so they aren't real friendly) But the few times I had to handle them, the Black Ameraucana was the most chill. So of course, she ended up being a cockerel (it's working out so far. Still, that meant one less chance at a blue egg. But, chances that his chicks will have blue and green eggs)

And the Splash Ameraucana? Fiercely broody! But I'm fine with that.

She actually survived an animal attack, somehow with just losing feathers and no noticeable wounds. She did lose one of the chicks she was raising.
My Orpington actually stepped in to take over the parenting duties of the chicks who were almost two weeks old? I was surprised the Ameraucana allowed that, but she really needed a rest.
Unfortunately, Orp passed... she was an amazing mom... Ameraucana resumed all mom duties immediately, even though it had been a month (chick was 6 weeks old) so, also an amazing mom.

I like a variety in my flock, but I could do an entire flock of Ameraucana after having these guys (and, more orpingtons.... after enough grieving time...)
I would like more colors, though.

But the personality of your Kraken matches more with my Ancona pullets. So adventurous, first to check everything out. Leads the whole flock. They're great. Love having them in a flock.

I wanted to try some Penedesenca chicks, but they weren't available when I ordered.

That’s wonderful—though fingers crossed it’s not a roo. I already have one I specifically ordered, and two roos definitely don’t make a right.

Veering off topic for a second: I had to look up the Penedesenca, and it looks exactly like my Gypsy's feathers. She’s a junglefowl I hatched from a rescued egg here on the island. My husband and I always joke, “She hatched with your other eggs, she had your love, she lays those weird little cream eggs in the nest box, ignores everything you say—but we still feed her, so apparently she’s family?” (That’s pure husband logic.)

I once suggested letting her rejoin her wild jungle friends—and she did… only to come back. Again. And again. Now she just parks herself by the front door, heckling us daily.

So when I saw that chicken, I had to laugh—it’s Gypsy’s twin. And honestly, with so many island birds that look just like her every thirty feet, I was really hoping for something unique!

her eggs- cream, super small as the white one is considered small to medium. So petite egg? lol (ignore the photo-bomber in the back, I have zero personal space).

Edit: because I can't spell.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

That’s wonderful—though fingers crossed it’s not a roo. I already have one I specifically ordered, and two roos definitely don’t make a right.

Veering off topic for a second: I had to look up the Penedesenca, and it looks exactly like my Gypsy. She’s a junglefowl I hatched from a rescued egg here on the island. My husband and I always joke, “She hatched with your other eggs, she had your love, she lays those weird little cream eggs in the nest box, ignores everything you say—but we still feed her, so apparently she’s family?” (That’s pure husband logic.)

I once suggested letting her rejoin her wild jungle friends—and she did… only to come back. Again. And again. Now she just parks herself by the front door, heckling us daily.

So when I saw that chicken, I had to laugh—it’s Gypsy’s twin. And honestly, with so many island birds that look just like her every thirty feet, I was really hoping for something unique!
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her eggs- cream, super small as the white one is considered small to medium. So petite egg? lol (ignore the photo-bomber in the back, I have zero personal space).
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I think it's probably a common wild-type color?
The Penedesenca DOES come in other colors (Black, Crele), but they're a difficult to find breed in the first place and I've only seen Partridge at the very few hatcheries that advertise them. (I think both hatcheries buy from the same breeder farm for certain "rare" breeds)

And just like any dark brown egg breed, it's hit and miss if they'll really lay those dark colors people claim. (But, might be a higher chance of speckles with all the splotchy brown not being distributed)

Gorgeous green flighted friend is always welcome

 

[tlcmurphy]

I’ve had two BBS Ameraucana. The first was an unsexed 5 week old black Ameraucana ($20) because I desperately wanted blue eggs. Well he refused to lay any, and I live in metro Atlanta so no Roos. He was gorgeous, astonishingly loud and very flighty before I rehomed him at 5 months old. He’s in my Avatar.

My second is a Splash that I bought as a POL Pullet ($50), was getting eggs this time come hell or high water. She’s a small thing that eats like a sailor, she’s very sweet but also flighty. I’ve seen her fly past our dining room windows (on the second story). I’ve also found her in trees and on top of our 6 foot fence mocking her jumbo sized flightless sisters. She hadn’t flown over yet… She is very quiet, unless you try to take her egg before she’s ready, then she’ll scream at you and drill a hole in your hand. She lays light green eggs, and prefers to spend her free time in mud puddles.

Good luck with your little one, they are beautiful birds