Looking for Ameraucana to add to flock

[Sharlena Topolski]

One of my Ameraucana hens just died suddenly, no signs of illness or injury, and after reading a few posts of other deaths, I am wondering if they are just susceptible to the heat.

But I would like to add another girl to our flock, so I am looking to purchase an Ameraucana that is already laying.  My birds are not vaccinated, so a non vaccinated but healthy bird is what I am looking for.

[Rachel]

Just as an FYI, pretty much all of the birds we backyard chicken people have that lay the green/blue eggs are easter eggers. Which are a mutt that lays colored eggs. Some folks may have Americaunas but Araucanas are a very rare breed that lays only blue eggs. They have no tail feathers and very different ear feathers. :) I see this confused all over the place, including feed stores and even the Murray McMurray catalog uses the terms interchangeably.
Also, remember that even though you are introducing a bird to only 2 others, you still need to use caution and use standard "chicken introduction" techniques.
Good luck and congratulations with your new chicken!

[Sharlena Topolski]

Thank you. It is very different caring for only a few hens. On my farm I had close to 200, and we never introduced just one, so the new ones always had buddies that were the same age as support. What are the recommendations for introducing one that you are referring to? Backyard farming is so much different, I find I am having to learn all over again. Thanks for your advice.

[Rachel]

Biosecurity measures would have you quarantine her for a month in a completely separate area. Backyard farmers frequently forego this, that's up to you. (Honestly in this case I would probably skip it, but I feel obliged to inform people what the "right" thing to do is). Quarantining is really important if you're buying a started pullet from a feed store or auction (which for a variety of reasons people should never do).
Aside from that, she should be in the same area as your other birds so they can see her but not attack her. People often use a dog kennel in the coop or something similar (you can just put up a chicken wire divider in the coop too). Keep her separate but visible for a minimum of 2 weeks. Once you are ready to let her out, make sure you have some of the Rooster Booster No Pick Lotion on hand in case they get overly aggressive with pecking so you can deter them before they really injure her.

[Sharlena Topolski]

Thanks for the info.

[Anita Mahaffey]

Ear feathers like this? Her comb is different from the other chickens as well. I always say that Queenie is quite "cheeky".

[Rachel]

Nope, more like this (they're kinda hard to see but instead of just the little puffy cheek feathers they're more like regular feathers)

Araucana-Chicken-2.jpg

[Erika]

I have one that I would be happy to part with, I am trying to downsize. I'm located at the 101 and 51 by PVCC. Let me know if you are interested. She's somewhere between one and two years old and very sweet.

[Sharlena Topolski]

Thank you! That was a fast response. I am interested! Is she an Ameraucana (or Auracana) (green egg layer)? How much would you want for her?

[Erika]

I believe Auracana, she does lay green. Don't worry, you can take her free.

[Sharlena Topolski]

Thank you! I would love to have her. Let me know when is a good day and time to come by. Pretty much the only time I would not be available is tomorrow evening, otherwise I am open.