What do these crosses give?

[The Moonshiner]

Ameraucana over Australorp will give green eggs.
Unless you know what egg color genes the EEs have and share that info there is no way of knowing.
EEs can carry any egg color genes. Without knowing what they carry how can anyone predict what they will produce?

 

[Welshies]

Ameraucana over Australorp will give green eggs.
Unless you know what egg color genes the EEs have and share that info there is no way of knowing.
EEs can carry any egg color genes. Without knowing what they carry how can anyone predict what they will produce?

Well I don't know what genes they have. This is something I'm considering as I'm in the middle of a flock replacement plan.
What about the Ameraucanas? They breed true for blue eggs, right? What would an Ameraucana roo with EE hens create?

 

[007Sean]

Punnet's Square, check it out! But you'll still need to know what genes your working with.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Well I don't know what genes they have. This is something I'm considering as I'm in the middle of a flock replacement plan.
What about the Ameraucanas? They breed true for blue eggs, right? What would an Ameraucana roo with EE hens create?

Ameracaunas carry the blue gene. This, combined with the white eggshell gene that almost every other breed carries, will result in blue-shelled eggs.

The problem is that hens also carry what I call the "spray paint genes" which are many and not well-understood. Basically, a brown-egg layer lays a white egg. She also has several "spray paint" genes that paint the white egg brown after the shell is formed.

Blue shells + brown spray paint = green eggs.

Your EEs probably have a varying number and type of spray paint genes because they don't have a breed requirement. Crossing with the Ameracauna may eliminate the spray paint genes. It probably won't.Your pullets will most likely inherit both blue and spray paint genes. You'll probably get green eggs, though perhaps lighter in color than the ones the EEs already lay because the Ameracauna won't be contributing any "spray paint."

 

[Welshies]

Ameracaunas carry the blue gene. This, combined with the white eggshell gene that almost every other breed carries, will result in blue-shelled eggs.

The problem is that hens also carry what I call the "spray paint genes" which are many and not well-understood. Basically, a brown-egg layer lays a white egg. She also has several "spray paint" genes that paint the white egg brown after the shell is formed.

Blue shells + brown spray paint = green eggs.

Your EEs probably have a varying number and type of spray paint genes because they don't have a breed requirement. Crossing with the Ameracauna may eliminate the spray paint genes. It probably won't.Your pullets will most likely inherit both blue and spray paint genes. You'll probably get green eggs, though perhaps lighter in color than the ones the EEs already lay because the Ameracauna won't be contributing any "spray paint."

Okay, thank you! That really helped.
But because of the brown egg gene, Easter Egger Brahma crosses would lay brown eggs?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Okay, thank you! That really helped.
But because of the brown egg gene, Easter Egger Brahma crosses would lay brown eggs?

A few might--if they didn't inherit the blue egg gene from the EE parent, they would definitely lay a brown egg. I'd even say it's somewhat likely. But I don't know what your flock lays.

 

[Welshies]

A few might--if they didn't inherit the blue egg gene from the EE parent, they would definitely lay a brown egg. I'd even say it's somewhat likely. But I don't know what your flock lays.

I don't know either. I'm just looking at prospective chicks. I want pure Ameraucanas but can't find any. So frustrating!

 

[sylviethecochin]

I don't know either. I'm just looking at prospective chicks. I want pure Ameraucanas but can't find any. So frustrating!

Doesn't Cackle Hatchery in Montana sell them? Fairly expensive, but you only need some initial breeding stock and then the occasional outside rooster if you do it right... And Cackle is supposed to have nice stock, for a hatchery.

 

[007Sean]

Doesn't Cackle Hatchery in Montana sell them? Fairly expensive, but you only need some initial breeding stock and then the occasional outside rooster if you do it right... And Cackle is supposed to have nice stock, for a hatchery.

Yeah, they do but @Welshies is in Canada

 

[sylviethecochin]

Yeah, they do but @Welshies is in Canada

Ah, yeah. Nevermind, then. I forgot. Sorry.