Jerryse; It's fantastic to have your input in all of this. I feel honored and hope to learn even more from having you here. I have already learned from you, and haven't read any more than what probably took you 2 minutes to write. I read something on a page (that I can't find, now) that says the Auracauna was not used in creating the Amie; is that true, or false? I am somewhat confused. I really wish that I could find that article, tho it doesn't really matter. It just confuses me, and muddies the water. The main thing is keewping the breed alive, but pure breeding isn't totally necessary for yard pets, imo.
Judged by the Club pics of SoP: I have 2 White Females, a Silver Male, and 3 Wheaten Males. I also have a Silver Female that has the silver neck coloring over her entire body, and was told that she would be considered a Silver, by standard. Then I am told by another breeder that none of their combs are perfect, so...EE's. That is the confusing thing about Amies. No one seems to say the same thing. The Silver Female and the Silver Male gave me a Silver Hen with no beard, that made the 2nd breeder tell me that ALL of my Amies are EE's, because they threw a chick with no beard. Is the mud appearing clearer, at this point? How does one determine what you call what, if the members of the Club (OH! These guys claimed to be Amie Club members. I didn't ask for credentials) members can't even decide on the same thing? That is why I haven't joined the club, to be honest. Then, I saw the smack around people were getting in the Amie thread, and I haven't returned to it, because I don't want my gang all made fun of. I can have fun in the EE thread (and, now, here) and not be made to feel bad. Enough of that, tho. it sounds like sour grapes, and I didn't mean to start a bashing. I apologize for that appearance.
As for the creation of a new breed; while it sounds thrilling to actually "create" a breed, or breed color, I would not presume to be capable of that, and just want to try to breed the birds that I have mentioned. I have been gathering prospective birds with the traits that I am aiming towards, and have them all to adult stage, so this is the year that it all starts, I hope! (crossing my fingers and watching for pesky varmints!)
On the topic of breeding 2 Amies and getting an EE; that is exactly what I feel that I have been told that I did, by breeder #2, above. Sooo...I still feed 'em, I still put the ones that I want mixed together in the same tractor, and let the rest run around grabbin' what they can find and caring for the injured ones. I don't cull, except for the fact that I give Roos away, when I get too many. I might even catch flak for that from purists, but some people just want a Roo in with their egg-layers, for the protection aspect. I have 2 ladies waiting for "Guard Roos", now. They aren't going to hatch eggs, they just want a Roo to guard over the girls.
WOW! That was long-winded, eh?
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