what is this? color? was sold as an ameraucana

[w0310077]

 

[chickincrazy]

Wow that's a tricky one! He looks blue but I can't explain the barring...

Welcome to Backyard chickens by the way.

 

[w0310077]

I have been searching pics for months and haven't found a single pattern or color to match. When I bought it as a chick I was told it was blue.

 

[chickincrazy]

Well, he might just be an oddball blue or something. He's very pretty!

 

[chickincrazy]

Where did you get him--- may I ask?

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. The reason you can't find any color to match is because your bird is an Easter Egger and not a true Ameraucana. Easter Eggers are hybrids produced by crossing true Ameraucanas which lay only blue eggs with other breeds (probably a barred one in your case) to produce offspring that lay eggs in colors other than just blue. Hatcheries often incorrectly market Easter Eggers as Ameraucanas (frequently misspelled by the hatchery as Americana or Americauna). There is a good article at http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/09/ameraucana-easter-egger-or-araucana.html explaining the difference between Ameraucanas, Araucanas, and Easter Eggers. There is nothing wrong with EEs. They typically outlay their Ameraucana parents and a lot of people love all the different colored eggs (they are my granddaughter's favorite chickens for this reason), but it can be disappointing when you are expecting to get a true breed that will reproduce true only to learn you got a hybrid instead. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

 

[drumstick diva]

He is blue but, I 've never seen markings like that. Very unique.

 

[Michael OShay]

The reason you can't find any color to match is because your bird is an Easter Egger and not a true Ameraucana.

P.S. I forgot to mention, another key to your bird's identity as an EE besides its feather colors is its leg color. True Ameraucanas have slate blue legs.

 

[liz9910]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Thread on barred Easter Eggers, there are pictures of some blue barred ones on there https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/94095/barred-easter-egger/40