Ameraucana Breeders Club

The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club => Breeding => Topic started by: Marcia Lincoln on February 11, 2015, 03:21:46 PM

Title: When does leg color change?
Post by: Marcia Lincoln on February 11, 2015, 03:21:46 PM

Hi all, I'm new to breeding Ameraucanas. I have BBS and had my first hatch Jan. 27 this year. I went through the chicks to wing band this morning and noticed quite a few with yellow on their soles, some with incomplete slate shanks, some with all slate shanks. There was just a lot of variation. I didn't pay much attention to leg or sole color when they first hatched, figured they were going to change, but the new hatch this morning I just took out of the hatcher, seems like most have slate legs/pink soles already. What should I expect and how long should I wait before deciding a bird needs to be culled for yellow? I have not tested my breeding male to see if he carries yellow, does everybody do that?

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: Michelle Ogden on February 13, 2015, 09:56:19 AM

I am also curious about this. Anyone??

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: jerryse on February 13, 2015, 10:24:09 AM

Leg color will change . No need to worry . When will it change ? Well I never keep track .

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: Mike Gilbert on February 13, 2015, 11:40:58 AM

It varies depending on strain and variety, but give it at least six weeks.

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: Marcia Lincoln on February 13, 2015, 02:44:59 PM

Thanks. I'll keep an eye on them. Mostly I am concerned about yellow soles. Some of the birds I got last year had yellow. I culled those, and am using an unrelated male. So if I see yellow in the shanks or soles, then the male has to be carrying it as well as one or more of the pullets, right? If that happens, I will have to scrap the whole project.

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: Mike Gilbert on February 13, 2015, 03:18:24 PM

Yellow soles at what age?   I would not cull for that until they were at least 3 - 4 months old, especially if they are running on grass or getting a lot of yellow corn. 

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: Marcia Lincoln on February 13, 2015, 04:18:11 PM

I forget now how old they were, but at least that old. There were other issues with that line as well, which is why I decided to get a male from another line and cross them. Are you saying you can't tell if an Ameraucana is carrying yellow until they are 3-4 months old?

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: Marcia Lincoln on February 13, 2015, 04:19:57 PM

Forgot to add, no mine are not on grass. They get a commercial organic feed pellet/crumble that does have corn.

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: John on February 13, 2015, 05:33:25 PM

Here is more food for thought...
http://ameraucana.org/forum/index.php?topic=1439.0
...and not everyone will agree on the answer to your 1st question.  I say it depends on the variety.

Quote

some with incomplete slate shanks

I think that will fill in, with blacks, as they mature.

Title: Re: When does leg color change?
Post by: Marcia Lincoln on February 13, 2015, 10:35:35 PM

Thanks so much for the link. Very interesting reading.