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Ameraucana

The Ameraucana is the true blue-egg breed - APA-recognized, distinct from Easter Eggers. Pea comb, muffs and beard, slate-blue legs, lays beautiful sky-blue eggs. Friendly, hardy, an excellent backyard layer.

About this breed

Quick facts: Ameraucana

OriginUnited States - developed 1970s, APA-recognized 1984
APA recognized1984
Conservation statusWatch (true breed) / Common (Easter Egger crosses misnamed Ameraucana)
Adult weightRoosters 6.5 lb, Hens 5.5 lb
Size classStandard
Eggs per year~180
Egg colorBlue
Egg sizeMedium
BroodinessLow
Cold hardinessExcellent
Heat toleranceGood
Noise levelQuiet
Flight tendencyLight flight
Beginner friendlyYes

History & origin

The Ameraucana was developed in the United States in the 1970s by breeders working from the South American Araucana stock (which lays blue eggs but carries a lethal tuft gene). The goal: blue eggs without the tuft-gene problems. The result was APA-recognized in 1984 with 8 color varieties. The key distinction: Ameraucanas lay BLUE eggs, have muffs + beard, slate legs, pea comb. 'Easter Eggers' are crosses that may lay blue/green/brown - they are NOT Ameraucanas, despite being sold as such by major hatcheries.

Personality & temperament

friendlyactivedociletolerant

Best for: blue eggs, beginner, mixed flocks

Eggs & laying

True breed lays sky-blue; Easter Egger crosses lay anywhere from blue to green to pink.

Husbandry & care

Indoor coop space4 sq ft per bird
Run space10 sq ft per bird
Roost bar8 in per bird

Space: Active and good foragers. Tolerate confinement but happier with a run.

Feeding: Standard 16% layer feed. Pea comb gives excellent cold protection; no special winter rules.

Health: Hardy. Beard/muffs can trap mites - inspect monthly during summer.

Climate: Zones 3-10. Pea comb + small size = exceptional cold hardiness.

Buying tips

  • Ameraucana from major hatcheries are almost always Easter Eggers. Buy from Ameraucana Breeders Club members.
  • Confirmed Ameraucana eggs are SKY BLUE, not green, not pink. If colors vary in a clutch, it's EE not Ameraucana.
  • Required traits: pea comb, muffs + beard, slate-blue legs, no tuft.
  • Show-quality stock costs $50-100 per chick; hatchery 'Ameraucana' is $5.

Did you know?

  • Blue egg color is the only chicken egg color produced by pigment INSIDE the shell (not surface coating).
  • 'Araucana' (no muffs, ear tufts, no tail) and 'Ameraucana' (muffs, beard, full tail) are DIFFERENT breeds.
  • Easter Eggers are not a breed - they're any chicken carrying the blue egg gene.
  • Eight APA color varieties: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, White.

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