True Ameraucana chicks

[Aggiedusty]

Cost is also another one of those good indicators when buying from known sources...

EE *usually* in the $3 range and Ameraucana in the $18 ish+ range.

Some folks don't realize the broad range of acceptable blue "shades" that can be laid by Ameraucana... (from google)..
View attachment 2014719
See photos of the variety here...
http://ameraucana.org/Ameraucana Photos
I raise (breed) bantam Ameraucana in wheaten and lavender, but blue is one of my favorite poultry colors. While black isn't my fave, it's unexpectedly beautiful.

Not dissing EE, I love them and their variety of plumage and personalities.

ETA: Once this posted I was piqued with curiosity about what shade my background box was... A13 ??, from what I can see. Lol!

I seem to get two colors of EEs from Privett Hatchery. The typical tan partridge and rarely the white partridge. I think I’m saying this right. So do other hatcheries have other colorations in their stock? This rooster is from a cockerel EE of same color but with slate legs and pea comb but no beard or puff atop a tan partridge EE hen. It’s difficult for me to call him am EE because he lacks so many characteristics.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So do other hatcheries have other colorations in their stock?

Yes, I think so.

Thing about EE, is there is NO true standard set.. anything bred to a blue egger can be called EE is my current understanding. But I agree the last pic looks more like what I would call simply barnyard cross.

My EE Penelope is blue based with the buff pattern, not sure from which hatchery she came. She does throw some pretty blue chicks. Also a little to people friendly and has ridden my shoulder even while I climb a ladder.

Offspring from my blue based buff EE crossed to FBCM sire both pictured above with my daughter...

Another blue based EE I got from hatchery, she was very flighty.

Many will look similar, but still usually no 2 exactly the same. A white type one I had previously was also flighty.

To me once you cross enough color they all come out looking like basic crosses and a lot of the pattern starts looking essentially the same. There are dominant base colors with pattern leakage... probably not a fully accurate description and possibly just my opinion.

New thought... I have a friend who does NOT select for qualities in their flock... I consider it less than desirable but realized recently... that's essentially what "land race" is... no wonder I wasn't impressed with some land race breeds like SFH...

 

[Aggiedusty]

Your blue based hen color pattern is extremely similar to my Cream Legbar hen except my Legbars have no beards but a little top notch of feathers like a cardinal. Interesting also I’ve gone thru 5 beautiful Legbar roosters and all have been very territorial had aggressive to varied degrees. Hens are the opposite, very friendly. I handle my chickens when they are chicks quite a bit and always talk to them so they associate my voice with good things. My favorite breed for loving people in general so far is Speckled Sussex. Have to carry one of them when I enter their pen for anything inorder not to stop on her. Will not get out from under my feet. I think your hen riding on your shoulder is a mighty good thing, freeing up both hands.

 

[NatJ]

New thought... I have a friend who does NOT select for qualities in their flock... I consider it less than desirable but realized recently... that's essentially what "land race" is... no wonder I wasn't impressed with some land race breeds like SFH...

Um, that doesn't sound quite right. Landraces always get selected for something--even if it's just "lives rather than dies under these conditions." Your friend might be ending up with easy-care chickens that live and reproduce under a specific set of conditions.

Most of the landrace livestock I've read about are known for producing SOME meat/eggs/milk in conditions when many other breeds would starve, freeze, or otherwise fail to produce. But even when provided with better food and care, they will not produce at the level of production breeds that also have good conditions.

 

[ChickenChic7507]

Hi I just found this thread! Have you found any ameraucanas? I am just starting to breed mine. I breed black and blue. I have 1 black cockerel, 6 black hens/pullets, and 1 blue hen.