Why Are EE really not Considered a Breed to Show ??

[chickbrad24]

I have been wondering why EE's do not have a standard of perfection ? Why are they considered mutts were not all breeds once considered a mutt or cross bred with other chickens bred and bred again to create a specific look or breed. Most EE's look similar with their markings, tufts and green legs. Have they not been around long enough ? Is it because people breed them with a lot of different chicken breeds ? I'm just curious.



Lets Keep this Thread Civil and Peaceful.

Thank you
Bradley

 

[1muttsfan]

It is because they are not a pure bred type of bird, instead they are of mixed parentage, and not bred to a specific standard. Birds that have been bred for generations to a breed standard and breed true (meaning their offspring look just like the parents) are purebreds. It does not mean that EE's are not fine birds for a regular flock, they are often very good layers and quite pretty as well. They just do not qualify as purebreds.

 

[chickbrad24]

So say if someone were to breed a Specific Color of EE with the results of them looking like there parents then would they be considered a purebred or resulting close to achieving a goal of making them become a purebred ?

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

EE's are most usually mix Ameraucanas. They do not breed true, which is a basis for a heritage breed. Not all EE's have green legs (although green legs are considered a tell-tell sign), not all have muffs/beards, and they can lay just about any color of eggs. There is a lot of confusion surounding EE's and Ameraucanas, mostly because of hatcheries smudging the truth. There are only a few approved colors of Ameraucanas, I don't even think that Lavs are accepted yet (I could be wrong about that).

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

So say if someone were to breed a Specific Color of EE with the results of them looking like there parents then would they be considered a purebred or resulting close to achieving a goal of making them become a purebred ?

IT could be done but it would basicly be creating a new breed and could take years to be recognized, if at all. I have hopes to create a Dumpy EE (Scots Dumpy/Amreaucana) in the future!

 

[chickbrad24]

I am just surprised that no one has tried to develop an EE strain that breeds true. They are popular for their potentially colorful eggs. How long have EE's been around ?

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

They did, they're called Ameraucanas LOL!
Not sure, they have gotten popular over the last several years.

 

[Michael OShay]

I am just surprised that no one has tried to develop an EE strain that breeds true. They are popular for their potentially colorful eggs. How long have EE's been around ?

The problem with breeding a true EE strain is that EEs are bred to lay eggs in various colors other than just blue (olive, green, beige, and even occasionally a pale pink). By the very nature of this goal, you have taken them out of the realm of a true breed. You could continually cross breed EEs until the offspring all looked like the parents and they laid only a single color of egg, but then they would by definition no longer be EEs.

 

[chickbrad24]

The problem with breeding a true EE strain is that EEs are bred to lay eggs in various colors other than just blue (olive, green, beige, and even occasionally a pale pink). By the very nature of this goal, you have taken them out of the realm of a true breed. You could continually cross breed EEs until the offspring all looked like the parents and they laid only a single color of egg, but then they would by definition no longer be EEs.

So then will an EE always be considered a mutt breed ? Is it even considered a breed ?

 

[enola]

Easter eggers are a crossbred chicken that is popular enough to get a lable, sort of designer chickens since they all have one thing in common, colored eggs.

I have no idea how long they have been around since the early 60's. My first hen was a gift from my grandfather, a little black hen with several chicks. I was amazed when she was done raising her chicks and started laying again. When I found that first little blue egg in a nest I was simply amazed. Maybe someone can remember them being around earlier than that, but I was very young.