Messages

1

Upcoming Meets / 1-4-2025, Bluebonnet Classic, Navasota, TX

« on: October 09, 2024, 08:51:51 PM »

Show Name: Bluebonnet Classic
Meet Type: Club
Show Start - End Dates: 1/4/2025
Host Club: Brazos Valley Poultry Club
Show Facility: Grimes County Fair Grounds
Show Address: 5220 FM 3455 Navasota, TX 77868
Show Secretary: Preston Cummings
Show Secretary's Email: prestonrcummings@gmail.com

2

Upcoming Meets / 12-7-24, Klein Poultry Extravaganza, Klein, TX

« on: October 09, 2024, 08:50:57 PM »

Show Name: Klein Poultry Extravaganza
Meet Type: Club
Show Start - End Dates: 12/7/2024
Host Club: Klein ISD FFA Alumni Association
Show Facility: Klein ISD Multipurpose Center
Show Address: 7500 Farm to Market 2920 Rd Klein, TX 77379
Show Secretary: Becky Brummond
Show Secretary's Email: rbrummond@kleinisd.net

3

News and Information / ABA Yearbook Received

« on: September 30, 2024, 01:37:52 PM »

I received the ABA yearbook today in the mail and our ad for the club turned out great. Be sure to consider joining the ABC to take part in our numerous membership benefits.

4

Upcoming Meets / 10-19-2024, Central Indiana Poultry Show, Lebanon, IN

« on: September 27, 2024, 12:26:27 PM »

Show Name:  Central Indiana Poultry Show
Meet Type: Club
Show Start - End Dates: 10/19/2024
Host Club: Boone County 4H Poultry Club
Show Facility: Edmonson County Lion’s Club Fairground
Address: 1300 E 100 S Lebanon, IN 46052
Show Secretary: Tim Curtis
Show Secretary's Email: tcurts@speedwayschools.net

5

Breeding / Dominant white and recessive white

« on: September 20, 2024, 03:12:56 PM »

Chickens have 2 kinds of pigment that help define their plumage color. These pigments are known as eumelanine (black pigment) and pheomelanine (yellow/red pigment).

One of the best studied eumelanin diluters is Dominant white (I). While the Dominant white (I) gene inhibits eumelanine (black pigment) well, it is a relatively ineffective inhibitor of pheomelanin (yellow/red pigment).

In the case of Dominant white (I), the following is produced:

1. (I/I) which results in a white phenotype

2.  (I/i+) which results in a black-flecked phenotype

3. (i+/i+) which results in a black phenotype.

Modifying genes, which limit or expand the amount of black on a heterozygote, affect the overall number of black feathers present on the plumage. The modifying genes also affect whether the black plumage feathers will be solid black and the white plumage feathers solid white.

The Dominant white gene (I) can remove epidermal shank pigment and dilute dermal pigment. Poultry shanks contain two layers of skin known as the epidermal and dermal layers. The epidermal layer is the “top” layer of skin and the dermal layer is the “bottom” layer of skin. Dermal melanin (id), either in the homozygous or hemizygous condition, allows for the deposition of melanin in the dermis. Dermal melanin behaves in a sex-linked manner and is found on the sex chromosome. Research has shown that slate shanks can be achieved on Dominant white birds that are homozygous for Extended black (E) and Dermal melanin (id). Extended black is the most melanizing and dominant e locus allele. It “extends” melanin pigment into the shanks of fowl.

The Recessive white gene (c) can inhibit both eumelanine and phaeomelanin, but occasionally phaeomelanin may still leak through. The Recessive white gene dilutes melanic pigment in the shanks due to the absence of Chromogen.

In the case of Recessive white (c), the following is produced:

1. (c/c) which results in a white phenotype

2.  (c/C+) which results in a black phenotype that carries one copy of the recessive white gene.

3. (C+/C+) which results in a black phenotype.

So what are some differences we can note regarding Recessive and Dominant white based on this educational post?

1. Recessive white inhibits pheomelanin more effectively than Dominant white.

2. The Recessive white (c) and Dominate white (I) genes dilute the epidural layer of skin on shanks.

3. Recessive white needs “less assistance” than Dominant white to create a solid white plumage color.

4. While Recessive white birds may carry either S or s+, silver is an important part of the genotype of Dominant white birds in order to create solid white plumage color.

6

Breeding / Recessive white chick down

« on: September 20, 2024, 03:11:51 PM »

“Recessive White Chick Down Color: What Does it Mean?”

I have noticed several questions from Ameraucana breeders asking about variations in the chick down of their recessive white Ameraucana chicks.

Questions such as “Why do some of my white Ameraucana chicks have a smoky appearance?” or “Why do some of my white Ameraucana chicks have yellow chick down?” or “What chick down should I be selecting for in my white Ameraucana chicks?”

The C locus is multipleallelic. White Ameraucana carry the genotype cc. The Recessive white (c) gene can inhibit both eumelanine (brown/black pigment) and phaeomelanin (red/yellow pigment). Occasionally phaeomelanin may leak through. Interesting tidbit: Some research has shown that recessive white birds can exhibit yellowing in the hackle, saddle, and wing bows as they increase in age, suggesting that the inhibition of pheomelanin by the recessive white gene may be reduced in older birds.

Early research concluded that there was an association between the presence of Extended black (E) and smokiness in recessive white chick down (Jaap, 1942), but later research refuted this finding (Jerome and Cavers, 1952).

✅ Smokiness can occur in the presence or absence of E.

Jerome (1952) completed some studies on poultry that carried sex-linked silver and autosomal red while exploring recessive white chick down. He found that autosomal red could account for salmon tints in the down of recessive white chicks that were homozygous for silver. Additional research during this study led to the conclusion that recessive white chicks that are homozygous for gold could also create salmon tints in chick down.

✅ Salmon tints in the chick down of recessive white chicks may be due to autosomal red or the presence of homozygous sex-linked gold.

Extended black (E) helps to suppress pheomelanin (red pigment). Sex-linked silver (S) also helps to reduce the expression of pheomelanin as it inhibits the presence of gold and red pheomelanin in feathers.

✅ Being homozygous for E and S is an important genetic component of recessive white birds.

Interestingly, the expressivity of the silver and gold alleles can be highly influenced by the Columbian gene (Co) and Extended black (E). The addition of Co enhances the visual differentiation of gold and silver on chick down in all but Extended black (E) birds.

✅ The Co gene does not enhance silver or gold identification on recessive white chicks that are based on E.

Hopefully this post is helpful to someone out there!

7

Breeding / Re: Green sheen on chocolate

« on: September 04, 2024, 11:00:24 PM »

It has been a very busy few weeks Lacie. I plan to look at this post this week.

8

2024 National Meet Knoxville, TN / Re: Cash and rosette awards for the 2024 ABC national

« on: August 28, 2024, 02:27:44 PM »

Nah, but I’ll be happy to hand out cash prizes for it. I like that we are doing cash prizes for two or more entries. Hopefully this will encourage a higher number of Ameraucana entries.

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Upcoming Meets / Re: 9/14/2024 7220 Poultry Show Laramie, WY

« on: August 28, 2024, 02:26:33 PM »

This meet has been removed as the district meet because the club is going through some changes.

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2024 National Meet Knoxville, TN / Cash and rosette awards for the 2024 ABC national

« on: August 27, 2024, 03:15:13 PM »

Open Show with 2 or more entries per variety​​:             ​

Award:
Champion Ameraucana ​​​​​​​75.00
Reserve Champion Ameraucana ​​​​​​50.00
Best of Breed (2)​​​​​​​​ 40.00
Reserve of Breed (2)​​​​​​​ 20.00
Best of Variety (Includes Best AOV/21) ​​​​​​25.00​
Reserve of Variety (Includes Reserve AOV/21)​​​​​ 15.00
Champion Trio (2)​​​​​​​​ 25.00
Reserve Champion Trio (2)​​​​​​​ 15.00
Champion Display ​​​​​​​​25.00
Reserve Display​​​​​​​​ 15.00
 
Ameraucana Egg Contest
 
Best Bantam Hen Eggs​​​​​​​ 50.00
Best Bantam Pullet Eggs​​​​​​​ 50.00
Best Large Fowl Hen Eggs​​​​​​​ 50.00
Best Large Fowl Pullet Eggs​​​​​​ 50.00
 
Junior Show (no minimum entry required)​​​​​:

Award:
Champion Ameraucana ​​​​​​​25.00
Best of Breed (2)​​​​​​​​ 20.00
Reserve of Breed (2)​​​​​​​ 15.00
Best of Variety (Includes Best AOV/21) ​​​​​​10.00
Reserve of Variety (Includes Reserve AOV/21)​​​​​ 5.00
 
Rosettes are awarded to the following (no minimum required):
 
Open Show:
Champion Ameraucana
Reserve Champion Ameraucana
Best of Variety
Reserve of Variety
 
Junior Show:
Champion Ameraucana
Best of Variety
Reserve of Variety

11

Upcoming Meets / 11/30/2024, Green River Poultry Club’s Fall Show, Brownsville, KY

« on: August 26, 2024, 06:38:48 PM »

Show Name:  Green River Poultry Club’s Fall Show
Meet Type: Club
Show Start - End Dates:   11/30/2024
Host Club:   Green River Poultry Club
Show Facility:   Edmonson County Lion’s Club Fairground
Address: 3223 Veterans Memorial Highway Brownsville, KY 42210
Show Secretary:   Aaron Decker
Show Secretary's Email:   Greenriverpoultry@gmail.com
 

12

Upcoming Meets / Re: 1/24 - 1/26, Pacific Poultry Breeders Association Show Lodi, CA

« on: August 26, 2024, 06:38:00 PM »

This meet has been selected as a district meet. Thanks!

13

Election 2024 / Re: Nominations for the 2025-2026 Election

« on: August 21, 2024, 12:29:59 PM »

Go Ameraucana!!!

14

Election 2024 / Re: Nominations for the 2025-2026 Election

« on: August 16, 2024, 10:29:34 AM »

Nominations have closed for the 2024 election year. Thank you to the following individuals for volunteering time for the club for the 2025/2026 term.

President- Jean Ribbeck
Secretary/Treasurer- Lindsay Helton
South Central District Director- Kris Dossey
Western District Director- Lacie Bateman
North Central District Director- Sara Church
North East District Director- Rob Sando
South East District Director- Dee Chappelle

15

Breeding / Standard-bred Ameraucana

« on: August 16, 2024, 10:23:41 AM »

I have seen several posts about “Pure Ameraucana” in recent weeks.

Please keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “Pure Ameraucana.”

A more appropriate term would be a “Standard-bred Ameraucana.”

Standard-bred refers to a bird that adheres to the standard for a recognized color variety of Ameraucana. It should produce not less than 50% of all specimens reasonably true to type, color, size and comb.

The recognized color varieties of Ameraucana were bred up from birds of varying backgrounds and specific traits and plumage colors were selected for. Some of the traits selected for include attributes such as the pea comb, reddish bay eye color, muffs/beard, slate shanks, blue egg color, etc.

There are presently ten approved color varieties for the Ameraucana breed with the American Poultry Association and American Bantam Association (wheaten, blue wheaten, blue, black, white, brown red, buff, silver, splash, self blue).

Each of the approved color varieties has a written standard. When available, a Standard of Perfection book can be purchased with the APA to review the standard. You can also find additional information on the Ameraucana breed at www.ameraucanabreedersclub.org.

Hopefully this post is helpful to others out there!