Three hens? Three Ameraucanas, or are they EE?

[lillykew]

Hello all! I have three birds that were born probably about March 12th ish, so they're about 6 weeks old now. They were sold as Americaunas, but as I bought them from a store for about $8 each I assumed they were Easter Eggers.

However, now i have some questions. The two I'm sure are pullets are Gin (orange/silver, no comb) and Aka (black with brown markings, no comb) and they have a lot of Americauna traits so now I'm wondering if the store was actually selling real Americaunas on the cheap.

The third one, Kuro (black with white markings, small pink comb) I think is probably still a pullet, but I'm not sure, and I'm also wondering if it's a black Australorp instead of an EE

These are my first chickens ever and I'd love to hear other people's theories!

Kuro

Aka

Gin, with Kuro in the background (Gin is the most skittish so the picture isn't as good, apologies)

 

[nuthatched]

Nope, Easter eggers. Real Ameracauna have very specific colors.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

Yep, all EEs. Kuro looks like a cockerel…

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Nobody sells real Ameraucana "on the cheap."

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

This happens a lot and it’s a real shame. People take advantage with this breed in particular for some reason. I have had a few real Ameraucanas but I got them all from an actual breeder. I had no idea it was such a common “mistake.” I really think it’s done on purpose and I don’t think it’s the hatcheries sending the wrong chicks—I think the big name feed stores are pulling a bait-and-switch and need to be called on it.

 

[Fallenone05]

This happens a lot and it’s a real shame. People take advantage with this breed in particular for some reason. I have had a few real Ameraucanas but I got them all from an actual breeder. I had no idea it was such a common “mistake.” I really think it’s done on purpose and I don’t think it’s the hatcheries sending the wrong chicks—I think the big name feed stores are pulling a bait-and-switch and need to be called on it.

I've read that APA Ameraucana were bred from what others would call Americana, or Easter Eggers.

Murray McMurray claims they've been breeding them since before the breed was submitted to the APA for color standards in the 80s.

They don't have APA standard birds though, just the colorful EE type.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I've read that APA Ameraucana were bred from what others would call Americana, or Easter Eggers.

Murray McMurray claims they've been breeding them since before the breed was submitted to the APA for color standards in the 80s.

They don't have APA standard birds though, just the colorful EE type.

I’ve never gotten theirs. It would be interesting to know the specifics of how they were created. Obviously with Aracaunas but there must be a standard for the other? I will probably go down a rabbit hole now…

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I've read that APA Ameraucana were bred from what others would call Americana, or Easter Eggers.

Murray McMurray claims they've been breeding them since before the breed was submitted to the APA for color standards in the 80s.

They don't have APA standard birds though, just the colorful EE type.

I found this:

Which makes it seem like the birds in question could technically be called Ameraucanas but are just of terrible quality?

 

[Fallenone05]

I found this:
View attachment 4105860
Which makes it seem like the birds in question could technically be called Ameraucanas but are just of terrible quality?

This is per the Murray McMurray website



I think it's good to have some sort of distinction between EE Ameraucana and APA Ameraucana. Murray McMurray spells it Ameraucana - but newbies wanting to get into show or specific varieties would be disappointed with a hatchery quality EE Ameraucana.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

This is per the Murray McMurray website

View attachment 4105864

I think it's good to have some sort of distinction between EE Ameraucana and APA Ameraucana. Murray McMurray spells it Ameraucana - but newbies wanting to get into show or specific varieties would be disappointed with a hatchery quality EE Ameraucana.

“Sold as a mixed flock only.” That says it all right there. I am starting to get nervous about the ones I ordered haha. Not from a hatchery but not from someone who breeds them exclusively. I guess I got spoiled having the APA standard to start with lol