The EE braggers thread!!!

[Wishing4Wings]

Just curious, I've noticed the last couple of days that my pullet (I think it's a pullet) is getting a beard. I know that Ameraucana people get upset if you call an EE an Ameraucana so what distinguishes one from the other? Do EE's get beards also?

Beards are on of the best parts of EEs!

Since the majority of EEs get the blue egg gene from Ameraucana lines, many EEs have Am traits including muffs and beards. Often it is the color (feathers and legs) that is the only obvious difference between EE and Am. You can look at http://www.ameraucana.org/ to see the 8 allowed colors for Ameraucanas.

 

[aoxa]

Beards are on of the best parts of EEs! 

Since the majority of EEs get the blue egg gene from Ameraucana lines, many EEs have Am traits including muffs and beards. Often it is the color (feathers and legs) that is the only obvious difference between EE and Am. You can look at http://www.ameraucana.org/  to see the 8 allowed colors for Ameraucanas.

There are some EEs that are very close to the AM standard. For instance, I have a pure white EE and the faults on her are the soles of her feet.

Even if you do have a bird that meets the standard for Ameraucana, she has to breed true 50% of the time.

 

[JeffOeuf]

Trying to figure out a flock rebuild...

I have one beautiful EE pullet. She was raised from hatch with 2 red sex-links and 2 hatchery grade Silver Laced Wyandottes. Sadly, Paula, the EE, is the sole survivor. I bought a couple of "pullets" (I think they're a little old for that title) from a guy on the other side of town. I think one is a black sex-link and the other might be a red sex-link, but she's really light colored. The point is, they're picking on Paula. I expected it to be the other way around, since she's on her home turf. It's not bad, and I'm keeping them separated at night. They only interact when they're free-ranging, but the new girls won't let Paula within 5 or 6 feet of them. I hate that Paula is the outsider. She and the girls she grew up with ran as a pack everywhere they went.

Three is not my ideal flock size. I want at least one more, and wouldn't mind two more. If I get a couple of young EE's, will they gravitate toward Paula? Am I just asking for more trouble? Right now I can't imagine what would happen if they all had to go into the coop together, but I don't think it would be pretty.

 

[aoxa]

Trying to figure out a flock rebuild...

I have one beautiful EE pullet. She was raised from hatch with 2 red sex-links and 2 hatchery grade Silver Laced Wyandottes. Sadly, Paula, the EE, is the sole survivor. I bought a couple of "pullets" (I think they're a little old for that title) from a guy on the other side of town. I think one is a black sex-link and the other might be a red sex-link, but she's really light colored. The point is, they're picking on Paula. I expected it to be the other way around, since she's on her home turf. It's not bad, and I'm keeping them separated at night. They only interact when they're free-ranging, but the new girls won't let Paula within 5 or 6 feet of them. I hate that Paula is the outsider. She and the girls she grew up with ran as a pack everywhere they went.

Three is not my ideal flock size. I want at least one more, and wouldn't mind two more. If I get a couple of young EE's, will they gravitate toward Paula? Am I just asking for more trouble? Right now I can't imagine what would happen if they all had to go into the coop together, but I don't think it would be pretty.

 

The two you added already have their own little pack, and Paula doesn't, so it's not unusual that she is the outsider. She is also younger I assume, so that would also put her on the low end of the pecking order. I would get a couple of younger girls (a bit younger than Paula) and integrate them with just Paula. Keep the two other hens out of the mix until all three (Paula + 2 newbies) get along. After that, add 1 big girl at a time back to the coop. They shouldn't have the upper hand.

 

[GhostRider65]

Chickens are brutal, the whole poultry world in general are mean to down right vicious, and until they get their pecking order established they will not likely quit fighting.
Whats most likely going on is they are arguing over who is the boss, the old girl or 1of the the new girls, It's never easy with 1 bird, adding more now may help or may make it worse for Paula, if the new ones are mature hens who will try to be top dog of the coop it will cause even more stress, I would add the chickens you want but get young pullets approximately Paula's size that will make them bottom of the pecking order naturally because they are still pullets and not yet laying........... hopefully they will then gravitate towards Paula and not the other hens........ then you will just have to watch and try to keep the fighting to a minimal until they work it out............ sorry that is the best I can do to help, I wish it was easier, but introducing new birds is always a hassle at best.......... Kim

 

[GhostRider65]

The two you added already have their own little pack, and Paula doesn't, so it's not unusual that she is the outsider. She is also younger I assume, so that would also put her on the low end of the pecking order. I would get a couple of younger girls (a bit younger than Paula) and integrate them with just Paula. Keep the two other hens out of the mix until all three (Paula + 2 newbies) get along. After that, add 1 big girl at a time back to the coop. They shouldn't have the upper hand.

I agree, but don't agree with adding them back 1 at a time it will make it easier for them to pick on just 1 add all three back at once..........Kim

 

[aoxa]

I agree, but don't agree with adding them back 1 at a time it will make it easier for them to pick on just 1 add all three back at once..........Kim

No not the 3 younger ones, I'm talking about the older hens. Break those two up so they are lower in the pecking order

 

[GhostRider65]

LOL ok I guess I didn't read that quiet right............ yes breaking up the bullies sometimes helps.........Kim

 

[JeffOeuf]

I appreciate your advice. When you say "keep them separated...", you're talking about night-time arrangements, right? Right now, with 10 acres among them, the daytime skirmishes are infrequent and result in nothing more than a couple of feathers ruffled. The big problem is that the weather is turning, and the new girls have been sleeping in the covered run on a perch. If it gets real nasty, I may have to lash together a place in my workshop for them.

 

[aoxa]

I appreciate your advice. When you say "keep them separated...", you're talking about night-time arrangements, right? Right now, with 10 acres among them, the daytime skirmishes are infrequent and result in nothing more than a couple of feathers ruffled. The big problem is that the weather is turning, and the new girls have been sleeping in the covered run on a perch. If it gets real nasty, I may have to lash together a place in my workshop for them.

 

A dog kennel will work, but I would suggest removing the older girls and not the younger one.