Orpington x Ameraucana

[Isaiah53]

Question... This roo has the most bizarre pattern and colour. I know he's a cross between an Orpington rooster (that's all I have) but trying to figure out if it could be an Americauna hen because he has the fluffy beared. I'm trying to figure out which hen it might have been because I don't have any Ameraucanas that are this pattern. I do have 2 Orpingtons with that black /white pattern but where did that beard come from?? He also has some emerald tones in his black like this hen and an Orpington roo I have (solid black). Is that beard normal for Orpingtons or can I get that Roo's pattern from this hen?


Just curious really.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Definitely Ameraucana or Easter egger in the breeding of that birds I think. Orpingtons don't have muffs.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed. If the roo is really pure Orp, the Mama has to be EE or Am. (or an other bearded breed)

 

[keesmom]

What barred hens do you have?

 

[junebuggena]

Pics of your rooster and the hens?

 

[junebuggena]

The black with white Orpington hens are Mottled. That's a recessive trait, so definitely not a possibility. The guy in question is barred/cuckoo.

 

[Isaiah53]

The first thee are some hens, the last two are two of my roos. I have 30 hens most of the Orpingtons are chocolate or beige/brown. I have 5 roos but two are from the same hatching (the black barred one is one of them). The last roo is a Buff Orpington no picture here, but I doubt he's the dad.

I was thinking his mom might be the first hen and his dad the black orpington but how did he get the beard? I have no barred Ameraucanas at all. So could his dad be the brown barred orpington roo 5th picture and a cross with a black Ameraucana?
I'm just curious, really. I was so surprised to see him.

 

[junebuggena]

The chocolate cuckoo Orpington is definitely the dad. Mom was either a Black or Blue Ameraucana. That means your cockerel is split for chocolate. Breed him to chocolate hens and you will get more chocolates, half of which will be cuckoo/barred.

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, I think so. I believe Crele feather patterns behave as barred or cuckoo patterns do. But, am only guessing here. Roo in #5 pic resembles crele pattern.

 

[Isaiah53]

Thank you, he's the head honcho, Baldy. Great guardian of his flock. The black fellow is his frienemy. They rule together over a penned acre, but Randy the black rooster submits to Baldy.

I appreciate your genetics advice Hopefully, I'll get an Americauna Rooster and can separate them into proper flocks soon and won't have this confusion.

God bless and have an awesome day!