Questionable genetics

[Silverlilly1]

I have chickens sold to me as Ameraucanas. They have muffs and beards, black legs, pea combs, and the right colouring. They are all black, roo and hens.

It was claimed they would breed true. I already know that’s not true, because bred together, so far I have gotten 19 chicks that look like black Ameraucanas (but some of which have white wing tips), four chicks that look kind of like silvers (but less distinct in the markings), and one that looks like a wheaten. The non-blacks have larger bodies and heads than the blacks.

Obviously these chickens are not what they look like. I’m trying to determine what they actually are. Easter eggers that look just like Ameraucana, some interesting genetics of Ameraucanas, or something else?

 

[The Happster]

Could they be partly Australorp?
Nope lol I missed the point completely

 

[333113]

You might want to look at one of the breed organizations for info. I found this one:
http://ameraucanabreedersclub.org
and this one:
http://www.ameraucana.org

Ameraucanas have been added to the standard somewhat recently, in the 1980s, I think. I have Crevecoeurs, and they were added to the standard in 1874, for comparison. Yet, even when you breed a line of birds for many generations, as I have with Crevecoeurs, you will still get some variations. That's why breeding doesn't get boring. And then, there are also natural sports that can occur. Breeding the sports can lead to a new color standard.

If you are new to breeding, I recommend an old booklet on the subject, "Start Where You Are With What You Have," by Ralph Sturgeon. The American Bantam Association occasionally offers it in their online store. I also recommend taking a look at this Dutch website (in English) on genetics.
http://kippenjungle.nl/basisEN.htm

If you don't want to be a breeder but just win shows, your best bet is to purchase a bird that has already won a few shows.

Hope this helps!

 

[Silverlilly1]

You might want to look at one of the breed organizations for info. I found this one:
http://ameraucanabreedersclub.org
and this one:
http://www.ameraucana.org

Ameraucanas have been added to the standard somewhat recently, in the 1980s, I think. I have Crevecoeurs, and they were added to the standard in 1874, for comparison. Yet, even when you breed a line of birds for many generations, as I have with Crevecoeurs, you will still get some variations. That's why breeding doesn't get boring. And then, there are also natural sports that can occur. Breeding the sports can lead to a new color standard.

If you are new to breeding, I recommend an old booklet on the subject, "Start Where You Are With What You Have," by Ralph Sturgeon. The American Bantam Association occasionally offers it in their online store. I also recommend taking a look at this Dutch website (in English) on genetics.
http://kippenjungle.nl/basisEN.htm

If you don't want to be a breeder but just win shows, your best bet is to purchase a bird that has already won a few shows.

Hope this helps!

I’ve spent a lot of time comparing chicks and feathers and haven’t been able to figure it out. I’ll take a look at your other links. Thanks.

 

[Silverlilly1]

Yeah, looks like I’m still just as in the dark.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Chicks with white/yellow can still lose it and turn all black. Take Sumatra chicks for example

 

[Silverlilly1]

Chicks with white/yellow can still lose it and turn all black. Take Sumatra chicks for example

The feathers coming in are according to the colours I mentioned, I think. They’re definitely not all black. Unless you’re saying that they can lose those initial feathers and turn black later?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

They can I had a chick that hatched out uelloe, first feathered completely white like her mom and then her second coat was fiery orange. It started at her head and within a few months not a white frleather remained.

 

[Silverlilly1]

They can I had a chick that hatched out uelloe, first feathered completely white like her mom and then her second coat was fiery orange. It started at her head and within a few months not a white frleather remained.

Well that’s good to know. I don’t think I’m going to expect it, since the chicks look like chicks of other colours, but time will tell.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I don’t really know much about Ameracauna genetics or breeding in general so feel free to ignore me if this is no help or wrong or whatever but is it possible that they could be split to another color and the breeder just didn’t know it??? I think I’ve read sometimes chickens can carry a gene for another color and not display it but rather be “split” for it so when bred, they would have a chance of showing that other color? If the other chickens also carried that gene then the chicks would express it I think. Were they in with any other colors or anything?