I need help with my new chicks

[DisChickens]

Hello, and welcome to the BYC community!

The spelling of the breed is extremely important, because ameraucana is the actually purebred, whereas americana is a marketing tactic for Easter Egger hybrids or mixes.

To me they do look like ameraucanas, however I can’t tell for sure because I didn’t buy them or see the label at the store.

Ameraucanas (and typically Easter Eggers too) lay blue eggs. They will have muffs (fluffy cheeks) even when they grow up. Their necks will appear thicker because of the feathers. Ameraucanas have pea combs, and they (the combs) usually stay pretty small. The breed is very beautiful!

My profile pic is my ameraucana, but here’s a couple full pictures of her…View attachment 3507416View attachment 3507418

It was spelled "Ameraucana" but auto correct made me rethink what it was spelled like, sorry for the confusion! And thank you for the help.

 

[DisChickens]

I also need help to see how old they are. I looked up how to tell how old they are, and clicked the first site that came up. I can't tell if their feathers are fully grown I guess. Anyone know how old they could be also?

 

[house1917]

They look between one and two weeks- still little gals!

 

[DisChickens]

They look between one and two weeks- still little gals!

Thanks, I was contemplating if they were old enough for me to start introducing the outside to them.

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

Thanks, I was contemplating if they were old enough for me to start introducing the outside to them.

I like to bring them outside for closely supervised "field trips" for grass time basically. A little playpen or something works well or baby gates or whatever if you don't want to put them straight in the main run just yet. Just remember they are very vulnerable. You can even put a screen overtop to deter aerial predators, unless of course, you are going to be right in the pen with them.

I like to take them out on a nice sunny day where they get some good warmth from the sun, but they also need to be able to move into shade in case they start getting too hot, just like in the brooder. Provide some water. Honestly even 5-10 minutes in the beginning is a nice way to start out, and you can always build up from there, depending on your availability to bring them in and out fully supervised, weather etc.

I don't bring young chicks out like that on a wet, clouded over day, but beautiful, mild, sunshiney days are great!

 

[DisChickens]

I like to bring them outside for closely supervised "field trips" for grass time basically. A little playpen or something works well or baby gates or whatever if you don't want to put them straight in the main run just yet. Just remember they are very vulnerable. You can even put a screen overtop to deter aerial predators, unless of course, you are going to be right in the pen with them.

I like to take them out on a nice sunny day where they get some good warmth from the sun, but they also need to be able to move into shade in case they start getting too hot, just like in the brooder. Provide some water. Honestly even 5-10 minutes in the beginning is a nice way to start out, and you can always build up from there, depending on your availability to bring them in and out fully supervised, weather etc.

I don't bring young chicks out like that on a wet, clouded over day, but beautiful, mild, sunshiney days are great!

I'll definitely start letting them outside in an enclosed area with me right next to them. Thank you!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes. At this age you don't want to let them get wet and chilled.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They're very pretty, btw. Easter Eggers have always been my favorites. They have lovely, calm temperaments and are easy keepers. Hybrid vigor, I guess. They're good foragers and decent producers. They don't go broody and those small wattles and combs are not subject to frostbite. They're a great breed for a beginner chicken keeper, IMO.

 

[BastyPutt]

- some hatcheries call them Americana

Actually did not know this. Misleading to say the least.

 

[BastyPutt]

Hello, and welcome to the BYC community!

The spelling of the breed is extremely important, because ameraucana is the actually purebred, whereas americana is a marketing tactic for Easter Egger hybrids or mixes.

To me they do look like ameraucanas, however I can’t tell for sure because I didn’t buy them or see the label at the store.

Ameraucanas (and typically Easter Eggers too) lay blue eggs. They will have muffs (fluffy cheeks) even when they grow up. Their necks will appear thicker because of the feathers. Ameraucanas have pea combs, and they (the combs) usually stay pretty small. The breed is very beautiful!

My profile pic is my ameraucana, but here’s a couple full pictures of her…View attachment 3507416View attachment 3507418

I believe this is an EE. The plumage is very specific for an Ameraucana and this one appears to be penciled.