Is this an Ameraucana?

[lonnyandrinda]

Pullet for sure. Yay for you!

 

[fancyfowl4ever]

Looks like the hatcheries have been using blue laced red wyandottes in their easter egger pens lately, lots of the partially blue laced reddish easter eggers around.

 

[lizm1221]

hurray for pullet votes! I love her, she's so pretty and sweet, but really wasn't in the market for a rooster in my tiny flock. thanks!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I thought that Easter Eggers and Americanas (or is it Ameraucana?) were the same breed.

Nope. Easter Eggers are mixed breed chickens that carry the blue egg gene. They can come in almost any color, and usually have slate or willow legs and muffs and a peacomb, but not always. Their color patters are variable since they are a mixed breed. Also, they lay many colors of eggs from blue to green to pinkish brown, and you can't tell from looking at the bird what color she will lay in advance. If you bought the chicken from a hatchery or feed store, it's an Easter Egger. There are no hatcheries currently selling real Ameraucanas, no matter what they call them. They might be calling them Ameraucanas because they sell better, or they could be truly unaware, but the birds still aren't Ameraucanas. It's even worse when hatcheries/feed stores/people on Craigs List and auction sites call them Araucanas, since those birds REALLY don't look the same. They're rumpless and have tufts instead of muffs, for example.

Ameraucanas are a recognized breed with a standard of perfection. They only have slate legs, they have a specific body shape, they must have muffs and a pea comb, they have a specific tail set, and they only lay blue eggs. Here is the info from the Ameraucana Breeder's Assn. http://www.ameraucana.org/faq.html

That being said, EEs are fabulous hens. I love their varied color patters, and I love the surprise every spring when the new pullets start to lay and I get to see what color their eggs are. Enjoy your lovely pullet.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Looks like the hatcheries have been using blue laced red wyandottes in their easter egger pens lately, lots of the partially blue laced reddish easter eggers around.

I"ve noticed that. My EEs this year have a lot of blue.

 

[Wykead]

For those of you stating that this is an EE rather than Ameraucana can you please state why? I'm also trying to identify my supposed Ameraucana's that came from a hatch at the breeder's club last year at our County Fair.

 

[Linda May]

I was sold Ameraucana chicks this year from a hatchery that turned this color. I have a whole coop full of them in assorted colors.
just read some of your posts - not sure if some of the posts are correct as am new at this but our hens just started laying blue eggs. I was under the impression that Easter Eggers and Ameracaunas were the same breed and that there was no standard within this breed. Will check out the Ameraucana website.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Ameraucana and EE are NOT the same- EE are a mutt/mix chicken with the blue-egg laying gene, often from crossing with true Ameraucanas. True ameraucanas are much harder to find. Almost ALL "Ameraucanas" sold by hatcheries are really EEs. You can go to the Ameraucana breeders website to get more info and see pictures: http://www.ameraucana.org/

Basically a true ameraucana has a muff and beard on it's face, they always have a pea comb, and usually slate or gray legs. There are only certain colors that are recognized, blue, black, blue wheaten, buff, white, brown-red, and wheaton. There are sports that pop up and although of true Ameraucana heritage are not considered Ameraucana if they are not one of these colors. They must lay a blue egg. The blue egg gene is dominant- so when you cross anything with an Ameraucana the result nearly always will lay a blue egg, this leads to part of the confusion- they think if it lays a blue egg it must be pure but that is not true.

When people ask, "Is this an Ameraucana?" I look first for the muff and beard, then I check the legs- green legs are a hallmark of EEs because of the nature of cross breeding. Does it lay a blue egg also. The website above has photos of EACH accepted color of Ameraucana, as bantam, chick, and large fowl, it really is a great help for trying to identify if you have an Ameraucana.

 

[Leavingegypt]

For those of you stating that this is an EE rather than Ameraucana can you please state why? I'm also trying to identify my supposed Ameraucana's that came from a hatch at the breeder's club last year at our County Fair.

Coloring of feathers and legs are the most typical identifiers, muffs and beards as well. True Ameraucanas that meet the SOP are really hard to breed, hence the fact that they can only be obtained thru a breeder. You have to choose birds with great characteristics, put them together and then repeat the process. Hatcheries usually are more concerned with hatching numbers to meet demand.
I have a mini flock with 5 birds that come from Pure Ameraucana parents and 1 that came from an EE/Ameraucana mix (all from a breeder friend). Although my 5 are "pure bred", they may or may not meet that SOP (standard of perfection) for the breed. If not they are considered EEs, chickens that carry the blue egg gene.
Because Ameraucanas became known as birds that lay blue eggs, some hatcheries began selling EEs as Ameraucanas or Americanas more as a marketing tool than truly wanting to further the breed. The result is a large number of people thinking they have one thing when they have the other.
The funny thing is, EEs lay a variety of egg colors and are REALLY interesting birds whose final look is usually a surprise. I would think THAT would be a better selling point for the average backyard chicken owner.
If you really want a specific breed for showing, breeding or for specific traits, always go to a reputable breeder where you can see the parentage etc. If you want a colorful basket of eggs and interesting birds that chances are will have a one-of a kind look- EEs are great. As a matter of fact, 3 or 4 of my Ameraucanas are roos and I am planning on replacing them with some fanciful EEs.
BTW- the bird whose pic sparked the original post is absolutely gorgeous!

 

[bbaum15]

She is an ee