I think she's a roo

[redheadfarmer]

We brought 4 Ameraucauna chicks home from a "Feather and Fur" sale 4 weeks ago. We were told they were 4 weeks old and that it was luck of the draw with sexing them. So we crossed our fingers. The black one acted like a roo from the very beginning. But now, I think we got it wrong. He might be a she and the other chick may be the rooster.

What do you think?

Smoke....looking like a roo based on tail feathers and comb

Ink....thinking he may be a she

Chick#3

Smoke in front with Chick #4 beside.

Would really love to be wrong and have 4 pullets in the making...please, please!

 

[greenegglover]

The first one is screaming roo.....others look like pullets, but no guarantee from me...LOL!

But the seller misrepresented those chickens. Those are mixed breeds...aka Easter Eggers, but just as much fun to own!

Edited to add....BYC's refer to them as EE's so you understand some of the slang on here.

 

[redheadfarmer]

Quote:
Thanks! How do you tell EE from Ameraucaunas?

 

[greenegglover]

Color, size, legs, beard/muffs

Easy to tell. I started in EE's but have since switched to Ameracaunas, but for a backyard flock that your not breeding EE's are fantastic birds. Im going to start hatching Ameracaunas in the spring.

 

[Lothiriel]

Yep. Smoke is 100% cockerel. The rest are pullets.

The difference between an EE and an Ameraucana.. Check out these links.
What are Easter Egg chickens? http://www.ameraucana.org/faq.html#TWO
Standard of Perfection http://www.ameraucana.org/standard.html
Some pictures of Ameraucanas http://www.ameraucana.org/scrapbook.html

I think the main difference is in the color. Ameraucanas have a standard of what colors they can be to be a true Ameraucana. EEs have many, many different color possibilities. Also, true Ameraucanas can only be obtained through a breeder, because they are carefully bred to keep the SOP. Hatcheries sell EEs by falsely advertizing them as Ameraucanas.

 

[Little One]

Smoke looks like a cockerel. Not just by the comb, but I think I see some dark red feathering coming through on his wings? (A common trait on black & white EE roosters.) The rest should be pullets.

 

[Peachesbabychick]

Wow smoke is gorgeous! I mean....handsome! All very pretty birds!

 

[JodyJo]

I agree....I have a girl that looks just like Ink...2 girls one boy....(red on wings, a give away)

 

[jbourget]

Quote:
yea

 

[debid]

Ah, much better pictures this time. Smoke is a definitely a cockerel and the others are pullets. The dark red on the shoulder is a sure sign even if he didn't have the pink comb or curling tail feathers yet. He'll be pretty! And really, 3 out of 4 isn't bad for not knowing what to look for!