The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club > Breeding

Surface plumage of a black Ameraucana

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Lindsay Helton:
The American Poultry Association standard of perfection calls for the surface plumage of a black Ameraucana to be “lustrous greenish black.”

Luster is defined as “a brilliant, glossy, luminous appearance of the feather due to the reflection of the light rays; more evident when the fowl is in perfect physical condition.”

A lack of luster and/or purple barring on a black Ameraucana is considered a defect. A defect is defined as “anything short of perfection.” There is a list of common defects listed under “Cutting for Defects” in the American Poultry Association SOP book.

Barring in this particular instance is defined as “defective coloration represented by transverse purple markings in blade feathers.”

For all breeds where luster or sheen is required, a lack of luster equates to a 1/4 to 1 point deduction per section that luster is absent.

Purple barring results in a 1/2 to 2 point deduction per section.

When sorting through your black Ameraucanas, be sure to select for surface plumage that is lustrous greenish black. :)

A special thank you to the APA for granting me permission to use portions of the standard when answering breeding questions and creating educational posts.

*Photo credit Susan Mouw

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