Question about EE's

[Lostdog]

I have read that there is no standard for EE's and have seen many different colors of EE's.But, I have a question about them.
If EE Momma A has chicks to EE Pappa B will all of their chicks look the same or will it be a mixed bag of different colored chicks?

Thanks

 

[sara]

My guess is a mixed bag because you wouldn't know all the genes they are carrying. Someone with more knowledge will come along shortly I am sure.

 

[RoyalHillsLLC]

EE is not a breed, but a term for a collection of different crosses that lay multi-colored eggs. they can look a lot different and i would not expect offspring to look identical.

 

[Lostdog]

Quote:
So, would this mean that a hatch of 5 chicks I recently purchased that all look like chipmunks-4 with light slate legs & 1 with dk slate legs are most likely not EE's?

Edit:Ok I am totally new to chickens and maybe my chicks legs are flesh colored not slate.I am not sure.

 

[emandmikey]

I would say that you are correct in thinking they're not EE's... I think that EE chicks usually look all different, of course some of them COULD look similar, but I don't know about all 5!

Do you have any pictures?

I'm obviously new to this - I don't even have any chickens yet... so my knowledge is miniscule on this topic... probably shouldn't have said anything!

 

[jossanne]

I've had 4 EE chicks, all striped like little chipmunks, some with lighter green legs, some with olive green legs. They can look alike - just because they all look like chipmunks by no means says they're not EE's...

 

[SusanJoM]

Ooops, I think you are getting led astray here.

Easter Eggers are "mutts". They all carry the gene for blue eggs, and lots of them have 100% Ameraucana moms and pops. And, if your 5 chicks came from the same mom and pop, they may very well look alike.

The issue is that if you cross even two Ameraucanas of different types (e.g. Black crossed with Red/Brown, or Silver crossed with Red/Brown, or ....), the kids. even though they have 100% Ameraucana blood in them, will not breed true to type. They will display a mixture of the two color types, and they will be EE's.

EE's are so often sold as Ameraucanas, and even as Auraucanas, that the general public (and even people whose jobs would lead you to think they would know better) have been being misled for a long time.

Do not misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with an EE. EE's are fine chickens. They just are not Ameraucanas.

Susan

 

[Lostdog]

Do not misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with an EE. EE's are fine chickens. They just are not Ameraucanas.

Susan

Don't worry I will not be upset if they are EE's.I bought them with no other intention other than to love

them and hope they give me some eggs.

Thanks to everyone for all the information.I think I may have to wait til they feather out a little to know what they are.I will post pics as soon as I can.I forgot how tiring being a "mom" to babies is.​

 

[sara]

Quote:
So, would this mean that a hatch of 5 chicks I recently purchased that all look like chipmunks-4 with light slate legs & 1 with dk slate legs are most likely not EE's?

Edit:Ok I am totally new to chickens and maybe my chicks legs are flesh colored not slate.I am not sure.

If they look like chipmunks they are probably easter eggers, but they may all feather in differently, based on the collection of whatever genes the parent birds have. Most EE look like chipmunks of various colors.

 

[earthy_chicks]

Do not misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with an EE. EE's are fine chickens. They just are not Ameraucanas.

SusanJoM- I really appreciate your tone in explaining EE's verses true Ameraucanas. I've been looking through a lot of posts lately about EE's and there are alot of harsh comments out there. For so many of us, we go to the feed store and pick up some pretty chicks labeled Araucanas or Ameraucanas and we are just excited.

I love all the variety I've seen in EE chicks.​