Easter Egger Sexing "tips and tricks" *Pictures Included*

[sweetbeak]

The Australian Araucanas are very similar to US Ameraucanas, with the addition of a crest, which is really cute!  If you post pics of your chicks, maybe we can help sex them here.  It will have to be mostly by color pattern if the combs aren't visible.  I think the connection between pea combs and blue shells still holds true.  Not linked, but the traits are usually inherited together.

This little one is 8 weeks old in this picture, any thoughts on what she is? The others are only 3 days old but I'll take photos in a few weeks.

 

[mymilliefleur]

Wow those are pretty birds, Cwrite. ours are so much different. Here is a pic of an American Araucana:

Our Ameraucana:

They really are both fascinating breeds. Do your Australian Araucanas have a lethal gene?

 

[sweetbeak]

Wow those are pretty birds, Cwrite. ours are so much different. Here is a pic of an American Araucana:

What do you mean when you say an lethal gene? I really don't know or hear of many people down under having these birds. I love them but probably don't understand them enough. The little black girl in my photo has now developed a really thick neck but has absolutely no comb, just a pea and is now almost 16 weeks. Her feathers are also green and purple when the sun hits her. Our Ameraucana:

They really are both fascinating breeds. Do your Australian Araucanas have a lethal gene?

 

[mymilliefleur]

I have read that true Araucanas have a lethal Gene that causes some of the chicks to die a couple weeks through incubation. I have heard it happens most often when siblings are crossed. I was wondering if you have anything similar happen to your Australian variation.

 

[sweetbeak]

I have read that true Araucanas have a lethal Gene that causes some of the chicks to die a couple weeks through incubation. I have heard it happens most often when siblings are crossed. I was wondering if you have anything similar happen to your Australian variation.

That's exactly what happened, three of the eggs didn't make it and when I removed them from the broody hen they smelt a little off and so my partner whose a Dr decided to open them and in each egg was a dead chick that looked like it had only made it to about 14 days then died. Could that be what you are referring too?

This is very helpful and interesting for me, thank you

 

[mymilliefleur]

Quote:
Yes, I think that is what I am talking about. The gene causes other wise healthy chicks to die between 14 and 19 days. (usually)

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Quote: I would guess pullet based on small pale comb. Pic was a little fuzzy when I enlarged, so not sure.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Quote:
Yes, I think that is what I am talking about. The gene causes other wise healthy chicks to die between 14 and 19 days. (usually)

The gene for the tufts is what is lethal. Two copies cause mortality prior to hatching. US Araucanas, with the proper tufts, only have one dominant gene for the trait.

Not my bird. Took this at a show.

 

[mymilliefleur]

I would guess pullet based on small pale comb. Pic was a little fuzzy when I enlarged, so not sure.

I agree. looks very feminine to me.

 

[mymilliefleur]

The gene for the tufts is what is lethal. Two copies cause mortality prior to hatching. US Araucanas, with the proper tufts, only have one dominant gene for the trait.

Not my bird. Took this at a show.

Ok, thats interesting. I couldn't remember exactly what caused it.