Utah!

[RedIII]

Thanks I think they are pretty cute!!
So my Violet better be a true ameraucana!!! I paid $18 for her off of my pet chicken! They said that they were pure breads and not EE......how can you tell if they are or not?

With Ameraucana's, there are only two leg colors that are accepted: black or slate. Violet looks like she has pink legs, so she doesn't quite qualify as a pure Amer. It's very common for hatcheries to sell Easter Eggers (where some Amer heritage is present, but other traits show up from things like cross breeding) as Ameraucanas. Usually, hatchery stock is a lower quality than you would get from a breeder. I don't know for sure why hatcheries have EE's, but it could be due to other breeds mixing in, or just poor stock from something like in-breeding. If you think about it, hatcheries have got to have umpteen million birds in their breeding programs, and individually monitoring all of those birds is impossible.

The thing is, most people don't know the difference between a true Ameraucana and an Easter Egger. Ameraucana's have the muffs and beard on their face, without fail. Easter Eggers don't always have that. Ameraucana's are supposed to lay blue-colored eggs, whereas an Easter Egger can lay blue, green, brown, cream, or white, depending on the genetics they inherit. Although, one bird won't lay all of those colors XD You won't know which color a pullet lays until she starts laying. That's why they're called Easter Eggers. It can be any one color.

Sorry for the lecture. I get excited about stuff like this

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Urbanchickenmom---Uh oh. I think your Ameraucana is one very expensive EE. I agree with Red.

Remember, we hatch those all the time on here, I think Cynthia hatched (hundreds this year? haha it sure seemed like that!) I have yet to see an $18 ameraucana chick, but if it is guaranteed a girl, maybe...but it still should be an Ameraucana for that price wow!! There are several on here that have pure roos/hens that can get you ameraucana eggs if you need them, I would be willing to hatch some for you, but you may want to wait until Spring....I plan to get eggs from BluJems and Daloorashens and hatch some then I have warned them I will be stalking their eggs first thing next Spring and can hardly wait lol! Your EE will still be adorable, and maybe still give you blue eggs, you never know!

The pics are SO CUTE! Thanks for sharing! I love the name Violet, that is the name of my best chicken, she is a BR.

 

[Urbanchickenmom]

With Ameraucana's, there are only two leg colors that are accepted: black or slate. Violet looks like she has pink legs, so she doesn't quite qualify as a pure Amer. It's very common for hatcheries to sell Easter Eggers (where some Amer heritage is present, but other traits show up from things like cross breeding) as Ameraucanas. Usually, hatchery stock is a lower quality than you would get from a breeder. I don't know for sure why hatcheries have EE's, but it could be due to other breeds mixing in, or just poor stock from something like in-breeding. If you think about it, hatcheries have got to have umpteen million birds in their breeding programs, and individually monitoring all of those birds is impossible.

The thing is, most people don't know the difference between a true Ameraucana and an Easter Egger. Ameraucana's have the muffs and beard on their face, without fail. Easter Eggers don't always have that. Ameraucana's are supposed to lay blue-colored eggs, whereas an Easter Egger can lay blue, green, brown, cream, or white, depending on the genetics they inherit. Although, one bird won't lay all of those colors XD You won't know which color a pullet lays until she starts laying. That's why they're called Easter Eggers. It can be any one color.

Sorry for the lecture. I get excited about stuff like this

No I appreciate all your input
So do marans have slate legs? I'm kind of bummed that she may not be pure I think I might have to call the hatchery......hummmmmm
Well thanks so much for all the info. I'll let you know what they say to me

 

[RedIII]

UrbanCM, according to Wikipedia, Marans have white legs. This article has some info on their color: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marans

And.........'ware the chicken math!

 

[aravis227]

We got home a little while ago with all of our chick stuff! I'm ready as soon as Cynthia says go. I'm getting really excited now!

Now it's just time to get the coop completed. We were just discussing the run. I've been reading a thread here on BYC about what to enclose the run with and it just seems so conflicting...I'm gathering it really depends on your local predators so I thought this would be the best place to ask. What does everyone use for theirs?

Also, where do I get DE? Is there somewhere local or do I need to order it?

 

[Lilwanis]

Aravis, We use chicken wire. We bought hardware cloth, but when it came down to it, it was too expensive and we don't really have the predators that other states do. Although, I have seen racoons and skunks in my yard before (there used to be a huge empty field next to us, but it's a school as of a few weeks ago). They sell DE at IFA.

ETA: It is by the bug stuff and they have both food and non food grade.

 

[Whittni]

Also, where do I get DE? Is there somewhere local or do I need to order it?

There is a seller on KSL or you can try the local feed store, order some online or buy the poultry dust cans for $8-$9.

 

[aravis227]

Aravis, We use chicken wire. We bought hardware cloth, but when it came down to it, it was too expensive and we don't really have the predators that other states do. Although, I have seen racoons and skunks in my yard before (there used to be a huge empty field next to us, but it's a school as of a few weeks ago). They sell DE at IFA.

ETA: It is by the bug stuff and they have both food and non food grade.

Thank you for the tip on where to find it in the store! I never would have checked there. We were at CAL Ranch earlier, but I had no idea where to even begin looking for it!

We also live near a big field. I know there are skunks about because occasionally I smell them in the morning. My mom said my brother has seen raccoons at their house (she lives about five miles from me), but only twice in over 20 years...so I'm not sure how much I should worry about them.

 

[RedIII]

Aravis, I've got chicken wire on my run. I still need to go around the edges and fasten some trim on so that the wire can't be peeled off by raccoons. If there is a way in, they will find it. They dig, pull, squeeze through gaps and open simple door latches. My plan is to eventually get a coop and run built that would make a military base proud. I think I shall call it Area 51.......or something

 

[Ithildyn]

They're so cute! My sister wants a silkie in the worst way, and am going to try and find her one. Haven't quite figured out how you go about finding a single chicken!