What's wrong with their feathers?

[greathorse]

just to remind the OP asked for ideas about what to call them

 

[Chicksdigit]

One of the most interesting parts of this is that the OP got a perfect breeding pair with the same characteristics. No matter if it was a mutation or a throwback or an act of God...... There were one of each sex. I think this is a heck of a deal.

 

[Jubaby]

Wow! Alot of discussion has gone on this weekend and I wasn't on the computer much. LOL

I just want everyone to know that I am in no way offended by anyone's comments on the subject of my chickens. When these two chickens were hatched, I was fairly new to raising chickens, and have learned to much from all of you. Thanks to everyone for the wisdom and information that has been provided.

I am learning and want to do things the right way - open to suggestions and want to follow the proper rules and protocol. I certainly don't want to offend the Ameraucana owners and want to be honest about what kind of chickens these really are. Currently we just don't know for sure whether there is a silkie cross somewhere in the background or whether it is a freakish genetic mutation. I just want to continue the learning process and possibly have some fun with breeding some new and interesting varieties.

I would be open to genetics testing, but wouldn't have the faintest idea how to go about it?

Anyways currently, I think we should just stick to calling them silkied ameraucanas (EE), or silkie-feathered ameraucanas (EE), and just be honest with people about the fact that they may be a cross-breed.

Thanks, alicefelldown, for your further detective work with the "Pat in Josephine, TX". I hope you hear from her.

 

[AHappychick]

I just saw this thread how cool.

I have to agree with Pipps&peeps as to a silkie getting in the mix. last month my white SG went broody so I put her in my lav pen for one day. All her eggs ended up in the bator and 2 are clearly lav crossed while the rest are all white normal silkies/sg. I think that maybe even for a few minutes maybe something like this happened somewhere down the line with your Silkie EE's with Standard Ameraucana traits.

 

[greathorse]

Quote:
I like your attitude on this whole thing.

 

[dntd]

I don't like silkies but I love these chicks! Must get som silkied chickes:cd

 

[KellyHM]

Just my 2 cents: Even if there was a Silkie in the mix it had to be MANY MANY generations ago to have bred out all the dominant Silkie traits. If the birds meet the Ameraucana standard in every way except their feathering I think they should be considered Ameraucanas, just not show quality. You could even call them a "sport" as you do off colors of other birds. There are many breeds which have silkie-feathered birds and we still call them that breed despite the fact that their feathers don't meet the standard.

On another note, I tend to be more likely to think that this was a mutation and not a Silkie hiding in the lineage. I've seen silkie-feathered Screech Owls, which definitely didn't interbreed with Silkies!

 

[CTChickenMom]

Quote:
What?

Let me know if you get a list going. I'd love a couple like that!

 

[pips&peeps]

I've seen silkie-feathered Screech Owls, which definitely didn't interbreed with Silkies!

How do you know, they may have had a secret rendezvous in the middle of the night.......

 

[SteveH]

pips&peeps :

I've seen silkie-feathered Screech Owls, which definitely didn't interbreed with Silkies!

How do you know, they may have had a secret rendezvous in the middle of the night.......

Yep , I've heard tell of such things in deep rural areas