Breed-Gender-Age

[Michael OShay]

Ok here are some side shots. If these aren't good enough I'll get more.

Chick #1

Chick 1 is an Easter Egger rooster.

 

[Michael OShay]

Chick #2

Chick 2 is an Easter Egger pullet.

 

[Buddycat]

Ok so looks like everyone agrees #1 is a roo & #2 is a pullet. Thanks guys, appreciate the input. Now, please tell me why you say roo. Also, I was told they are Ameraucanas - what says EE to everyone. I'm trying to learn but keep getting roos & now EE's not Ameraucanas.

Could someone please help - I've got to return the roo this morning & don't want to end up with another roo or EE! Thanks!!

 

[Cowgirl71]

Ok so looks like everyone agrees #1 is a roo & #2 is a pullet. Thanks guys, appreciate the input. Now, please tell me why you say roo. Also, I was told they are Ameraucanas - what says EE to everyone. I'm trying to learn but keep getting roos & now EE's not Ameraucanas.

Could someone please help - I've got to return the roo this morning & don't want to end up with another roo or EE! Thanks!!

Yes, #1 is a roo and #2 is a pullet. Both are Easter Eggers

Easter Eggers can be color-sexed.

Actually, a VERY easy way to show people sexing EE's by demonstrating with your pictured birds there is by color. EE's are very easily sexed by color, as most are actually sex-linked too.

Females in most cases come out a partridge looking brown and black, often known as wild-type duckwing. Some though are silver too, which is strictly black and white, sometimes with a salmon breast.

Males on the other hand are quite often black and white, but have colored red, orange, or yellow feathers that emerge on sometimes the neck, back, and most importantly and almost always the shoulders. These are tell-tail signs of a male, as females cannot have that color in those regions. Other male colors that are red flags are one coming out with a black breast and red markings on the shoulders, neck, and back. /img/smilies/smile.png

Check out this link for more info: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/463817/easter-egger-sexing-tips-and-tricks-pictures-included
There's some very good information if you're willing to read through it.

Hatcheries sell "Ameraucanas," but they are in fact Easter Eggers. So the person you bought these birds from probably believes they really are Ameraucanas, but they're not. I doubt that person has a single true Ameraucana. If you want a true Ameraucana I'd suggest contacting a breeder here on BYC.

 

[Buddycat]

Yes, #1 is a roo and #2 is a pullet. Both are Easter Eggers

Easter Eggers can be color-sexed.
Check out this link for more info: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/463817/easter-egger-sexing-tips-and-tricks-pictures-included
There's some very good information if you're willing to read through it.

Hatcheries sell "Ameraucanas," but they are in fact Easter Eggers. So the person you bought these birds from probably believes they really are Ameraucanas, but they're not. I doubt that person has a single true Ameraucana. If you want a true Ameraucana I'd suggest contacting a breeder here on BYC.

Ok will check out the link. Thanks for all the help - appreciate it! Will give it another try. I don't know where she got her original stock from but you're probably right - the 2 original EEs I got were labeled Ameraucanas at the feed store & all the other stores around here that had them so if she got them at a feed store they're no doubt EEs.

 

[Michael OShay]

Also, I was told they are Ameraucanas - what says EE to everyone. I'm trying to learn but keep getting roos & now EE's not Ameraucanas.

Just at even a quick glance, the greenish tint to the legs says Easter Eggers. True Ameraucana legs lack this greenish tint. There is a good article at http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/09/ameraucana-easter-egger-or-araucana.html explaining the differences between Ameraucanas, Araucanas, and Easter Eggers. Actually there are some upsides to EEs. They typically outlay their Ameraucana or Araucana parent (due to the other breed used in the cross) and they lay eggs in colors other than just blue (olive, green, beige, and even pale pink and gold). EEs are my granddaughter's (pictured in my avatar) favorite hens. She loves the different colored eggs that they lay.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Actually there are some upsides to EEs.  They typically outlay their Ameraucana or Araucana parent (due to the other breed used in the cross)

x2

 

[Buddycat]

x2

Ok thanks. I wanted one Ameraucana just because of the blue eggs. I have 2 EE'S so maybe one of those will give me a blue egg or maybe the new one I'm exchanging this roo for will. Guess I'll just have to wait & see. Thanks again for the help & I'll check the links.

 

[Michael OShay]

Ok thanks. I wanted one Ameraucana just because of the blue eggs. I have 2 EE'S so maybe one of those will give me a blue egg or maybe the new one I'm exchanging this roo for will. Guess I'll just have to wait & see. Thanks again for the help & I'll check the links.

You're welcome.

 

[Buddycat]

Well I got the roo exchanged for what I'm pretty sure is a hen this time! :yiipchick Brought her home & gave her a bath. She's never been handled so pretty scared of people but will try to get pics today & get you guys opinion how I did this time.