Self Blue Ameraucana Thread

[OnceInaBlueMoon]

The Ameraucana Breeders Club is currently in the process of having what were previously known as lavender Ameraucanas approved as self blue Ameraucanas. I thought I would go ahead and create a new thread for future use. The first pre-qualifying meet has been successfully completed, and we are one step closer to having this color variety officially approved. A special thank you to all of those who have worked hard on this color over the years. Hopefully this thread will serve as a way for experienced as well as new breeders to discuss breeding techniques, show results, and anything else related to this color variety.

 

[Mellisa]

Hello. My neighbor has lavender and is looking to buy more colors. I'm going to purchase a couple of blue hens. We will be breeding my hens to her roosters.
Do you know if the differences between the lavender [self blue] and the blue are remarkable or are they subtle? I want to make sure I buy the correct variety.

 

[FreebirdAviary]

Hi, Mellisa, Simple answer, the Self Blue is visually quite different from BBS. Lavs have an almost crystaline feather, very pale compared with blue. Also the edging of each blue feather is usually a shade darker than center. A lav feather is darkest down the center and evenly pale to the edge.
We've had blue Marans and blue Ameraucanas for several years. We're also working with Self Blue (aka: Lavender) to breed Isabel Ameraucanas. Our genetic reseach taught us that there are many differences in these two breeds. Breeders ought not mix blue and lavender bloodlines; Too many issues to go into here.
The photo here shows a Lav/Wheaten (Isabel). 104 chicks were culled to get just one perfect male.
DeMac

 

[OnceInaBlueMoon]

Hello. My neighbor has lavender and is looking to buy more colors. I'm going to purchase a couple of blue hens. We will be breeding my hens to her roosters.
Do you know if the differences between the lavender [self blue] and the blue are remarkable or are they subtle? I want to make sure I buy the correct variety.

Yes, there are considerable differences genotypically and phenotypically between self blues (formerly known as lavenders) and blues. I do not recommend intermingling the two varieties. Here is an example of a self blue hen vs a blue pullet.

 

[sunnie7]

Can someone tell me for sure what she is?! Also she’s only 18 weeks but does her comb look like she might start laying soon? I read they usually don’t lay until 6 months.

 

[kurby22]

Can someone tell me for sure what she is?! Also she’s only 18 weeks but does her comb look like she might start laying soon? I read they usually don’t lay until 6 months.
View attachment 2293555View attachment 2293557

Did you ever update on this one? Was she close to POL? I have two self blues and it’s so hard to sex them!!

 

[sunnie7]

Did you ever update on this one? Was she close to POL? I have two self blues and it’s so hard to sex them!!

She started laying not too long after that maybe around 20 weeks. How old are yours? Send photos! I hatched one of her offspring with my Easter Egger roosters and she’s beautiful.

 

[kurby22]

She started laying not too long after that maybe around 20 weeks. How old are yours? Send photos! I hatched one of her offspring with my Easter Egger roosters and she’s beautiful.
View attachment 2882541

Oh she is so pretty! Mine have lots of shredded feathers so there’s been debate about their gender. I still think girls so fingers crossed ! My girls will be 18 weeks this week. First two are Fluff, second two are Puff Puff is my baby!

 

[sunnie7]

Oh she is so pretty! Mine have lots of shredded feathers so there’s been debate about their gender. I still think girls so fingers crossed ! My girls will be 18 weeks this week. First two are Fluff, second two are Puff Puff is my baby!

Look like pullets to me. I think they got awhile until POL their combs will darken up quite a bit when they are close.

 

[kurby22]

Look like pullets to me. I think they got awhile until POL their combs will darken up quite a bit when they are close.

Yeah that’s my thought too, thank you!! They are both on the small side and their combs are really small and pale most of the time. They’re such personality filled little birds but don’t act really assertive like my boys do. I would be soooo upset if they aren’t girls cuz I’m maxed out on boys already They are clearly my favorites hehe (scribbled out my face — birds are way cuter!! )