Easter-eggers like what Murray McMurray sells aren't even mixed-color Ameraucanas. Their Easter-eggers have traits that you couldn't get out of just mixing true Ameraucana colors, traits that were bred out of Ameraucanas along the way as the breed was being established, so them trying to claim that they're just mixed color and are really for real Ameraucanas doesn't even make sense. They've maintained their line of these birds since before Ameraucanas were standardized; their line is essentially what existed
before the standard, basically a branch on the same family tree. Kind of like how Barred Plymouth Rocks were bred from Dominiques (among other breeds), yet despite their similarities Dominiques are not considered the same thing as Barred Plymouth Rocks. Easter-eggers share ancestry with Ameraucanas, but that does not make them the same thing.
McMurray just stubbornly refuses to acknowledge that their Easter-eggers are not true Ameraucanas because the term 'Ameraucana' was simply what was used to describe bearded, blue or green egg laying chickens back in the day before the breed actually entered the standard. And before that, 'Easter egg chickens' were called Araucanas, right up until
that breed was standardized, which is why you still see some EEs referred to as such. But it's been like 40 years at this point since Ameraucanas were standardized, so I'm not sure why McMurray have decided to die on this hill when most of the other large hatcheries have caught up to modern day and started labeling their EEs properly without issues.
In short, Easter-eggers like what McMurray sells as 'mixed-color Ameraucanas' aren't even
part Ameraucana technically, they're more like cousins of the breed.
So well said. I know that a lot of the original folk who started this thread either haven't been around or are "quiet" & others started & then disappeared.
I want to add - today's EEs aren't even just Ameraucana mixes. In other words, the slate legs/beaks, pea combs, muffs & beards they used to have aren't always there.
Other blue egg layers have been on scene since at least 2011. WTB & WTG (they were created by Dr Whiting & were TMd. Not sure if they still are, but were/are only sold by Murray McMurray. I believe I've seen individuals breeding & selling them now as chicks - seem to breed true?), CLBs, Blue Eggers (not sure what breeds were used to create these, but body type to me looks Plymouth Rock-ish) & Prairie Blue Bell. Soooo, "todays" EEs can have single, pea or modified pea combs; various beak colors & shapes; yellow or willow shanks & toes. Body types all appear to have become lighter/more angular, too, in the hatchery EEs & a lot of the so called Ameraucana that a couple of hatcheries are selling...
I have also "run into" a lot of "breeders" that are selling chicks & hatching eggs (of various breeds/varieties) that either don't like to answer questions or are literally just keeping the parent birds w/ NO hatching/keeping of their own replacement breeding birds. I've steered clear of those after getting somewhat burned by my 1st breeder birds (8 Blue Ameraucana chicks - a black roo over 3 splash hens) in 2014. Some charge the same amount that long time, experienced breeders do for both hatching eggs & chicks.
Currently, I don't have any Ameraucana. I've had both BBS (paul Smith & John blehm lines, but not sure how many generations current breeder) & Self Blue (forgot what lines originated, breeder i got them from has other breeds/varieties now). I want some - in favor of BBS and Lavender.
I REALLY want some bantams. There used to be some breeders here in NC. Not sure who is still active. Will be checking & go from there.
AND YYYYY???? do I seem to gravitate to breeds that are going through "major" upheaval? Arabians, QH, American Paint Horses, Welsh ponies, American Shetand ponies, Aussies, Pomeranian, Ameraucana (there are currently TWO organizations due to a split in 2014(?) - i am a member of both), CLB, Bielefelder... i would actually LOVE to find some Smallanders (spelling? Originally imported by GFF, now gone?)...
The hatchery stock of today do not seem to be the same as they were in 2011, when we started w/ chickens. Most breeds appear to be "flock mated"
at hatcheries. A large group of hens with 2 or more roosters. Even some breeders do this & its accepted. But I feel that no one is going through & evaluating for good breed traits. The "Heritage" breeds from hatcheries, have NO comparison to true breeders' birds (in most cases). Type, color, age of maturity, age of POL, years continue to lay are all affected. To continually improve any or all of these is WORK & pricey. Type, color & egg color can be lost in 1-2 generation if an owner who decides to breed doesn't pay attention - I've experienced this myself - especially type & egg color.
I'm sooo sorry. My brain just hid. I have no idea where I was going w/ this...
