Roo?

[Pele]

Saddle feathers are found at the base of the spine, right before the tail. Hackle feathers are at the base of the neck, right above the shoulders (kind of like a mullet).

They are long spindly sharp feathers that eventually grow into a cascade of feathers in those two locations. Only found on roosters. The ladies must love it.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Saddle feathers are found at the base of the spine, right before the tail. Hackle feathers are at the base of the neck, right above the shoulders (kind of like a mullet).

They are long spindly sharp feathers that eventually grow into a cascade of feathers in those two locations. Only found on roosters. The ladies must love it.

Being specific here but on EE's hens can get saddle feathers then lose them (like 1 or 2) and theres rooster feathered hens too, like hen feathered roosters, such as sebrights

 

[CluckyCharms]

Beautiful bird but I'm confused. Folks are using the words EE and Ameraucana interchangeably in this specific thread and I'm not 100% familiar with either. EEs aren't a breed, and Ameraucanas are a specific breed; two different chickens. So which is this rooster, an EE or an Ameraucana as the OP already stated he was...and how can you tell the difference? If the OP purchased him as an Ameraucana from a ranch - wouldn't he indeed be an Ameraucana and not an EE?

I have two "for sure" easter eggers (I purposely ordered them as easter eggers because I wanted the aspect of surprise appearance)

Either way he's absolutely gorgeous - I love his coloring...but being specific on the type of chicken he is..is kind of important on a chicken forum. He can't be an EE and an Ameraucana.

I guess what I'm wondering is exactly which he is and how you're able to tell the difference? I might be interested in a true Ameraucana later on down the road (if and when we move) and it would be nice to know the specifics. Thanks!

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Beautiful bird but I'm confused. Folks are using the words EE and Ameraucana interchangeably in this specific thread and I'm not 100% familiar with either. EEs aren't a breed, and Ameraucanas are a specific breed; two different chickens. So which is this rooster, an EE or an Ameraucana as the OP already stated he was...and how can you tell the difference? If the OP purchased him as an Ameraucana from a ranch - wouldn't he indeed be an Ameraucana and not an EE?

I have two "for sure" easter eggers (I purposely ordered them as easter eggers because I wanted the aspect of surprise appearance)

Either way he's absolutely gorgeous - I love his coloring...but being specific on the type of chicken he is..is kind of important on a chicken forum. He can't be an EE and an Ameraucana.

I guess what I'm wondering is exactly which he is and how you're able to tell the difference? I might be interested in a true Ameraucana later on down the road (if and when we move) and it would be nice to know the specifics. Thanks!

I just used EE because they are hard to sex, and ameracauna's I don't know.
And I'm just assuming it is in fact a ameracauna, but it being from a ranch doesn't make it anymore ameracauna then EE. It could just be a hatchery bird, and unless the person is a breeder, I kinda think its an EE, However so long as its not bred to any other breed of a bird, then its just an ameracauna that doesn't fit standard, (Not sure if itd classify as an EE tho)

The difference is ameracauna's are supposed to have a certain leg color, and EE's are a cross from an ameracauna (or aracauna)

 

[hdowden]

Whooo. so far I like what I'm hearing. haven't had a rooster for years now ever since I started my new flock.

One quick question though, as I'm learning more and more about chickens, can some please explain to me where exactly are the saddles and hackles?

I think I know where.. but just in case I don't. Thanks!

Several shots of a nice Gold Sebright cock (note his spike isn't correct)
Photos courtesy of Julie Rountree (feathersite pic)

 

[hdowden]

Beautiful bird but I'm confused. Folks are using the words EE and Ameraucana interchangeably in this specific thread and I'm not 100% familiar with either. EEs aren't a breed, and Ameraucanas are a specific breed; two different chickens. So which is this rooster, an EE or an Ameraucana as the OP already stated he was...and how can you tell the difference? If the OP purchased him as an Ameraucana from a ranch - wouldn't he indeed be an Ameraucana and not an EE?

I have two "for sure" easter eggers (I purposely ordered them as easter eggers because I wanted the aspect of surprise appearance)

Either way he's absolutely gorgeous - I love his coloring...but being specific on the type of chicken he is..is kind of important on a chicken forum. He can't be an EE and an Ameraucana.

I guess what I'm wondering is exactly which he is and how you're able to tell the difference? I might be interested in a true Ameraucana later on down the road (if and when we move) and it would be nice to know the specifics. Thanks!

the OP's chicken is 3,000% EE. he has green legs which no Ameraucana can have, they strictly have slate colored any other color of legs and you have an ee. along with several other aspects such as coloring, comb type, and body conformation.

http://www.ameraucana.org/faq.html#SIX

What are Easter Egg chickens?
The Ameraucana Breeders Club defines an Easter Egg chicken or Easter Egger as any chicken that possesses the blue egg gene, but doesn’t fully meet any breed descriptions as defined in the APA and/or ABA standards. Further, even if a bird meets an Ameraucana standard breed description, but doesn’t meet a variety description or breed true at least 50% of the time it is considered an Easter Egg chicken.

Which varieties are recognized by the American Bantam Association and by the American Poultry Association?
Eight varieties have been recognized by both organizations since 1984. They are: Black, Blue, Blue wheaten, Brown red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, and White. These same eight specific color patterns are recognized in both large fowl and bantams (miniatures).

this link goes to part of the standard: http://www.ameraucana.org/standard.html

 

[CluckyCharms]

the OP's chicken is 3,000% EE. he has green legs which no Ameraucana can have, they strictly have slate colored any other color of legs and you have an ee. along with several other aspects such as coloring, comb type, and body conformation.

http://www.ameraucana.org/faq.html#SIX

What are Easter Egg chickens?
The Ameraucana Breeders Club defines an Easter Egg chicken or Easter Egger as any chicken that possesses the blue egg gene, but doesn’t fully meet any breed descriptions as defined in the APA and/or ABA standards. Further, even if a bird meets an Ameraucana standard breed description, but doesn’t meet a variety description or breed true at least 50% of the time it is considered an Easter Egg chicken.

Which varieties are recognized by the American Bantam Association and by the American Poultry Association?
Eight varieties have been recognized by both organizations since 1984. They are: Black, Blue, Blue wheaten, Brown red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, and White. These same eight specific color patterns are recognized in both large fowl and bantams (miniatures).

this link goes to part of the standard: http://www.ameraucana.org/standard.html

Thank you!! That's all I was trying to figure out. I have easter eggers for sure (ordered them that way) but I really like the looks of the Ameraucanas too, so I may go with those later on!
Thanks again!

 

[djvu07]

Thank you so much for the info guys. I can't wait until it starts crowing. Almost 3 months old now. I will keep everyone updated!

 

[WinstonPhoenix]

This is a photo of my little bantam hen at 2 months. She was sold to me as a roo and then started laying eggs about a month ago. I'd just listen for crowing.

 

[aoxa]

Thank you so much for the info guys. I can't wait until it starts crowing. Almost 3 months old now. I will keep everyone updated!

My EEs were early crowers. I had one start as early as week 4.

Early maters too.