Easter Egger's and Ameraucana's = same thing

[JacinLarkwell]

He's pretty. I like his brassy blue color.

That's actually just the sun XD. He's black and copper in person. His mom was a splash though

 

[MysteryChicken]

That's actually just the sun XD. He's black and copper in person. His mom was a splash though

Oh, okay. The sun can make pictures kind of funny sometimes.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Ok. Would you say this is an Ameraucana?View attachment 2290440

What would be its disqualifying factors?
View attachment 2290456

Her disqualifications would be green legs, too small beard, tail spread, tail angle(?), back length, body shape, body size(?), feather quality (fluffiness), and a non-standard/mixed color. If I bred ameraucanas, I’m sure I could pick out more faults. There’s a lot more to them than just a beard and a pea comb. This EE actually has a small, neat pea comb, which is another thing most EEs don’t have.
I’m not trying to say that EEs are inferior. If I ever got one of the two, I’d definitely choose EEs over ameraucanas for their more varied colorations.
The thing about EEs is that they aren’t just mixed breeds who lay colored eggs. A cream legbar x, an ameraucana x, and an Araucana x are all EEs, but the ones usually sold by hatcheries aren’t first generation crosses. The ones sold by hatcheries are EE x EE crosses, making them somewhat like a landrace breed. And, again, genetically different than ameraucanas.
Also, something I think is pretty interesting about EEs- there’s actually several colorations that are common with EEs, despite the fact that they aren’t bred true to color. I’ve seen many, many EE pictures on this forum, and a majority of them have a typical EE coloration (if they came from a hatchery).

Pictures of a friend’s Easter egger.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Her disqualifications would be green legs, too small beard, tail spread, tail angle(?), back length, body shape, body size(?), feather quality (fluffiness), and a non-standard/mixed color. If I bred ameraucanas, I’m sure I could pick out more faults. There’s a lot more to them than just a beard and a pea comb. This EE actually has a small, neat pea comb, which is another thing most EEs don’t have.
I’m not trying to say that EEs are inferior. If I ever got one of the two, I’d definitely choose EEs over ameraucanas for their more varied colorations.
The thing about EEs is that they aren’t just mixed breeds who lay colored eggs. A cream legbar x, an ameraucana x, and an Araucana x are all EEs, but the ones usually sold by hatcheries aren’t first generation crosses. The ones sold by hatcheries are EE x EE crosses, making them somewhat like a landrace breed. And, again, genetically different than ameraucanas.
Also, something I think is pretty interesting about EEs- there’s actually several colorations that are common with EEs, despite the fact that they aren’t bred true to color. I’ve seen many, many EE pictures on this forum, and a majority of them have a typical EE coloration (if they came from a hatchery).

View attachment 2299112View attachment 2299113
Pictures of a friend’s Easter egger.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Since we are having this genetic discussion, can someone tell me the reason WHY the “fatal gene” in the Araucana chicken is fatal? I tried to research It but all I can find is that there is a fatal gene and most chicks die before or immediately after hatch. No explanation for why.
In other words, what is the physical cause of death? Is there a birth defect? Like heart or lungs or something?
Anyone?

 

[The Happster]

Since we are having this genetic discussion, can someone tell me the reason WHY the “fatal gene” in the Araucana chicken is fatal? I tried to research It but all I can find is that there is a fatal gene and most chicks die before or immediately after hatch. No explanation for why.
In other words, what is the physical cause of death? Is there a birth defect? Like heart or lungs or something?
Anyone?

Here's a post that might help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/araucanas-homozygous-ear-tuft-gene.1142115/post-17767851

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Here's a post that might help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/araucanas-homozygous-ear-tuft-gene.1142115/post-17767851

Thank you!

 

[allamerican401]

In a thread last week they said the mcmurry were easter eggers. but...

"We have been breeding Ameraucanas since the 1980s — even before they were admitted into the Standard of Perfection by the American Poultry Association in 1984."

So they started breeding the line before it was even a recognized breed. Scratching my Head!

Cackle sells them from the original breeder's/ project manager's stock for $9 straight run. He basically took a bunch of barnyard mixes with araucana, if iirc, to get rid of the lethal gene and a lot of the breeders involved all argued about what standards should be. I saw some of the tsc ones on sale for $1 a few weeks ago. I considered & passed because I like good dual purpose birds and am not concerned about egg color. I did get a Dominique pullet and three GLW "pullets" for $1 each when I went for feed last Friday..

 

[TheFarm41]

So, yes, I may be trying to ruffle some feathers here. I'm bored, what can I say more.

So Ameraucana breeders/owners take pride in breeding to the SOP, which is a great thing. It preserves and promotes, what they are trying to accomplish. That being said, does anybody else smirk when they cant stand someone with an "easter egger" claiming to be an Ameraucana. Genetically it may be the exact same thing with some color leakage, etc. Why are people so anal about pointing out and claiming that someones bird is in fact an easter egger?

Because they are different an Easter Egger is not the same as an Ameraucana. Just as a poodle is not the same as a collie. If you want a blue egg layer and you buy an Ameraucana that is actually an Easter Egger, it will most likely not lay a true blue egg.

I'm not that picky when it comes to chicken breeds as long as they lay eggs where I can find them! I have a back yard flock with 3 roosters of different breeds that I let reproduce however they choose. My chickens are all kinds of crazy colored feathers. It is fun to see what you end up with. Fuzzy feet, beards, puffy cheeks, flashy colors, the homely one. We had one girl that looked just like a white leghorn that laid a very blue egg.

 

[allamerican401]

Personally I just think it's funny. Like the OP said, people get sooo riled up about americanas over americaunas. It's education to a point, but gets snobby on Facebook. Definitely false advertising by some companies. Also a newer bred bird. I don't care either way. Just (usually) less productive birds to me. Chicken genetics fascinate me, but not egg color, personally. Seems like a "fad".