AMERAUCANAS

This unusual breed gets its name partly from the Araucana chicken, a tufted, rumpless breed, that lays blue eggs. Araucanas are named for the Araucanian Indian tribe of Chile, South America, where they were developed by a Dr. Ruben Bustos. Araucanas were imported and crossed with hens from the U.S. and thus played an early part in the breed's history. However, no tufted, rumpless fowl were used to create any of the present-day varieties of Ameraucanas.

Silver Araucana hen and rooster

Ameraucanas lay colored eggs as well. They are supposed to be a shade of blue, but the eggs oftentimes are a shade of green, from pastel to olive. Breeders are hoping to correct this. This breed is often mistakenly called the "Easter Egg chicken", but this term is better reserved for crossbred birds and those birds purchased through hatcheries. Eggs from these "Easter Egg" birds usually include a much broader range of colors, from very light brown to several shades of green, and some may even be blue. But these birds also often lack other necessary breed characteristics to be truly called Ameraucanas.

My original flock, left to right: Snowflake - large pullet Mopsey - large Polish pullet Fricassee - large cockerel Boots - large cockerel Chickpea - bantam cockerel

The above flock, with the exception of the Polish, consists of Easter Egg Chickens. None were true Ameraucanas, I discovered later.

The Ameraucana was recognized as a breed in the early 1980's by both the A.P.A. and the A.B.A. Ameraucanas come in both bantam and large sizes with pea combs, red ear lobes, ear muffs and beards. The Breed Standard recognizes eight different color varieties, which are: Black, Blue, Blue-wheaten, Brown-red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, and White.

This breed is usually a calm, friendly one - great for pets, or dual-purpose egg/meat chickens. This is a unique breed and great fun to have. The naturally colored eggs will amaze friends and make a great "show and tell" project for school, especially around St. Patrick's Day or to celebrate Dr. Seuss's book Green Eggs and Ham.

Silver roo	Blue Wheaten roo	Brown-red roo

	Black Large Fowl
	Blue Large Fowl
	Buff Bantams
	Silver Bantams
	Wheaten Bantams
	White Large Fowl
	Golden Quail Bantams