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Ermine Ameraucana
We have been working with Ermine in Ameraucanas since March 2024.
Project Variety
Ermine Ameraucanas, previously known as Erminette Ameraucanas, are a project variety that we are dedicated to perfecting. Project varieties are not accepted by the American Poultry Association and/or American Bantam Association, but are working towards acceptance.
At Her Chickies, we breed our Ermine Ameraucanas to align as closely as possible with the Standard of Perfection (SOP), constantly refining traits to improve overall type.
Although there are still areas we’re working on, our Ermine Ameraucanas already stand out in many important aspects. They consistently lay eggs that fall within the accepted Ameraucana color range, boast correct pea combs, slate-colored legs, white skin, and full muffs and beards. These features help our birds stay true to the breed's iconic characteristics—after all, what is an Ameraucana without those adorable cheeks?
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Common Questions
What is Ermine?
What are the expected offspring of Ermine?
Is Ermine an accepted variety?
Genetically, Ermine is similar to Paint and Erminette, with white and black spotting caused by carrying only one copy of the dominant white gene.
However, unlike Paint and Erminette, Ermine should have a more even distribution of black throughout the white feathers. The proposed SOP calls for less than 50% black with no red or yellow leakage.
The photo above depicts an Ermine Ameraucana pullet (4.5 Months).
Is Ermine an accepted variety?
What are the expected offspring of Ermine?
Is Ermine an accepted variety?
As of March 2025, Ermine is not an accepted variety for any breed. This includes Ameraucanas.
Ermine is a project variety that is being worked in Ameraucanas (both large fowl and bantam), Brahma and possibly many other breeds.
What are the expected offspring of Ermine?
What are the expected offspring of Ermine?
What are the expected offspring of Ermine?
Ermine is the heterozygous state of a variation of the dominant white gene. The appearance of the offspring will depend on the parent stock.
Ermine bred to Ermine results in 50% Ermine, 25% Black and 25% Dominant White.
Ermine bred to Black results in 50% Ermine and 50% Black.
Ermine bred to Dominant White results in 50% Ermine and 50% Dominant White.
Only by breeding Dominant White to Black will all offspring be Ermine.
Ermine vs Splash
Ermine
Ermine is the result of one dominant white gene.
Ermine Ameraucanas should have solid black feathers and solid white feathers. There should be no speckling or splashing.
Splash
Splash is the result of two blue genes (not to be confused with the blue egg gene).
Splash Ameraucana will have varying shades of blue feathers and a splashing effect where some feathers will have a varying amount of blue.
Want to learn more about our Splash Ameraucanas? Click the button!
Blue Ermine vs Splash
Blue Ermine
Blue Ermine
Blue Ermine
We do not typically focus on breeding Blue Ermines, but we may occasionally pair a few birds to produce them. They are not part of our main Ermine breeding program and are not included in our dedicated Ermine breeding pen. Instead, we use our Blue Ermine Ameraucanas primarily for our Eggers.
Splash
Blue Ermine
Blue Ermine
Splash has a more "messy" coloration compared to Blue Ermine.