hey everyone, I was able to get some really good Brown red Ameraucanas at the Ohio show and want to add this color to my araucanas. (actually id like to change it entirely) I really like the brown red color.... My araucanas consist of a few SD males and varying shades of SD and BBR hens. I have one pair of BR aneraucanas. but not sure how to proceed. All advice appreciated.
vidal

I had a chane to some surfing on the brown red gene. It appears to be a "variation" of the original BBR.... so I can assume that since my araucanas have produced SD, BBR and Blue SD, that the transition to a all Brown red flock should be realativly straight forward. my only question would be how to make the transition from a bird with a tail, muffs and beard. to a rumpless, tufted bird? Is this a matter of selective breeding or line breeding? or both? Obviously Ill have to complete the cross this spring inorder to proceed but wonder if any other breeders out ther have any experiences to add.....

I'm not a breeder of either one..but can tell you from experience with those color genes..you won't have any issues that way really with selection..but as far as the tail, muffs and tuffs..you will have to do just as you said, heavy selection and linebreeding to achieve your goal. Good Luck!

because of the lethal gene with the tuffs many breeders will breed a real nice tuffed and tail less roo to a tuff less and tailed hen so that none of the chicks die (from 2 copy's of the resesive tuffed gene if i have it correct)... so i would just do the cross and then plan on hatching as many chicks as you can and culling like crazy... it should not be to bad as they are both bred from the same imported stock...

thanks for the info/advice. my only wish now is for spring! lol.... considering we just had 4 inches of snow and are expecting an ice storm tomorrow. All in good time i suppose. thanks again!