EE/Ameraucana frustration

[CityGirlintheCountry]

What Illia said.

 

[dainerra]

the problem with saying that "non-standard" Ameraucanas aren't Ameraucanas is that it goes against a thousand years of animal husbandry. One of the things man first discovered is "Like begats like" From there, he realized that by selectively breeding certain individuals he could get the desired results in the offspring.
Then came naming these particular varieties and even more careful selection to insure that they would breed true, that A + A = A. No matter what.

Now, you have the Ameraucana Breed Standard that says A + A = C in certain cases. If that is the case, then by technical definition, the Ameraucana isn't a breed. To be a breed, the offspring must breed true.

So if you take 2 purebred animals and breed them, then the offspring is the same breed. Even if it is purple with pink spots. It's like saying if I take pollen from this carrot plant and pollinate that carrot plant, then I will get tomatoes.

ETA: this is why there is so much confusion. Things that are solid principles in every other species suddenly don't apply.

 

[redhen]

Yeah, it really is confusing..
I wonder if birds/chicken "breeds" are considered different somehow??
They might, because they arent mammals?? Or are they?....
I'm always soo confused... help...
LIke if i bred 2 pure Yellow-napped amazon parrots.... and one of the eggs hatched out an Orange-wing amazon...
Is that baby STILL a pure amazon parrot?? Or what??

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Quote:

the problem with saying that "non-standard" Ameraucanas aren't Ameraucanas is that it goes against a thousand years of animal husbandry. One of the things man first discovered is "Like begats like" From there, he realized that by selectively breeding certain individuals he could get the desired results in the offspring.
Then came naming these particular varieties and even more careful selection to insure that they would breed true, that A + A = A. No matter what.

Now, you have the Ameraucana Breed Standard that says A + A = C in certain cases. If that is the case, then by technical definition, the Ameraucana isn't a breed. To be a breed, the offspring must breed true.

So if you take 2 purebred animals and breed them, then the offspring is the same breed. Even if it is purple with pink spots. It's like saying if I take pollen from this carrot plant and pollinate that carrot plant, then I will get tomatoes.

ETA: this is why there is so much confusion. Things that are solid principles in every other species suddenly don't apply.

Exactly. Breed is breed. Color is color. (And I would dearly LOVE to have a purple ameraucana with pink spots. That would be the coolest chicken EVER!)

 

[Bullitt]

Now, you have the Ameraucana Breed Standard that says A + A = C in certain cases. If that is the case, then by technical definition, the Ameraucana isn't a breed. To be a breed, the offspring must breed true.

No animals will breed true 100 percent of the time. There are genetic variations, genetic mutations, recessive genes, etc. Animal breeding is all about trying to control for certain types, but unwanted or unexpected types will be produced with any animal, including wild animals.


From the Ameraucanas Breeders Club: What is an Easter Egger ....

"The Ameraucana Breeders Club defines an Easter Egg chicken or Easter Egger as any chicken that possesses the blue egg gene, but doesn’t fully meet any breed descriptions as defined in the APA and/or ABA standards. Further, even if a bird meets an Ameraucana standard breed description, but doesn’t meet a variety description or breed true at least 50% of the time it is considered an Easter Egg chicken."


So an Ameraucana chicken must breed true at least 50 percent of the time for the parent to be considered an Ameraucana. Otherwise, it is just an "Easter Egger" that is not a recognized breed.

Also from the Ameraucana Breeders Club, "As you may know, a breed is NOT a BREED until the APA or ABA say it’s a “BREED."

Color matters for a breed, because it is one of the characteristics of the breed. We are not talking about naturally occurring animals. We are talking about animals that have been selectively bred for certain characteristics. If a chicken produces a chick that doesn't meet the standard, the chick cannot be called one of that breed.

Those who disagree can start their own organization and set their own breeding standards.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Also from the Ameraucana Breeders Club, "As you may know, a breed is NOT a BREED until the APA or ABA say it’s a “BREED."

Color matters for a breed, because it is one of the characteristics of the breed. We are not talking about naturally occurring animals. We are talking about animals that have been selectively bred for certain characteristics. If a chicken produces a chick that doesn't meet the standard, the chick cannot be called one of that breed.

Those who disagree can start their own organization and set their own breeding standards.

Or they can choose to not join ether an do what they want. Cause again those clubs can only make rules for there members.

 

[lolita117]

Here's a different perspective.
German Shepherds. I breed only for black and tan, black and cream, and black and silver saddle backs, but as many know their are other colors too. Solid black, red sable, silver sable, white, plus black and tan blankets. Here's the thing. White is not consider a German Shepherd because it is not recognized in the breed standard. Its a default. Black used to also be a default but they change the breed standard to allow Black. White can be registered in the US as a American White Shepherd. An American White Shepherd can come from 2 German Shepherds, but can not be registered as such.
It's just a thought. It all goes into breed standard. If breed standards didn't exist people could breed anything and instead of improving the breed they can ruin it. Personally I think the breed standard of German Shepherds is horrible and it makes for one crippled looking dog. My dogs are beautiful with straight backs! (Anyways that a different topic)

 

[redhen]

Or they can choose to not join ether an do what they want. Cause again those clubs can only make rules for there members.

LOL,.. soo true.

 

[redhen]

So what about my amazon question?
If 2 pure bred yellow napped amazon parrots have babies and they hatch out an orange wing... or a blue front baby...
Is it STILL a PURE amazon parrot??

 

[Bullitt]

Or they can choose to not join ether an do what they want. Cause again those clubs can only make rules for there members.

And then all your chickens are just chickens because there are no agreed standards. All you have to go on is the definition of chicken.