I’m going to start doing a breed focus every week (I hope!) here on the blog. My primary focus at first will be chickens and ducks and then we’ll move on to other poultry from there. Sometimes it’s just nice to know the facts before we go ahead and purchase our future flock members and today I’m kicking off this new venture with a commonly confused/mistaken/misinformed breed {trio} of which I feel quite passionately about.

 

Let’s take a look at the Araucana, Ameraucana, and Easter Egger and how to define them.

 

Araucana

{Araucana cockerel, posted with permission from Fallen Oak Poultry and More}

 

The Araucana is a rare breed that is defined by some clear breed standard characteristics:

 

 Ameraucana

{Ameraucana pullet}

The Ameraucana is similar to the Araucana, which makes them easily confused if you do not know the facts. Here is how you determine a true Ameraucana:

 

Easter Eggers

 

Easter Eggers are- put simply- everything that falls into the “other” category. If they do not meet the breed requirements for either the Araucana or the Ameraucana, but still produce the blue egg gene, they are known as an Easter Egger or Rainbow Layer, and are not a “true” breed recongized by the APA or ABA.

Sadly, many of the big hatcheries sell their Easter Eggers as “Araucanas” or “Ameraucanas” or even change the spelling to “Americanas”- all of which are incorrect according to breed standards. If you are looking to purchase a true Araucana or Ameraucana, you will likely have to seek out a private breeder.

 

{Our bantam Easter Egger hen “Sahara” and 2012 chicks. Notice her “clean face”.}

 

{Our Easter Egger pullet “Dazzle” at 9 weeks of age, already showing a full muff and beard.}

This is not to say that Easter Eggers aren’t great chickens- they are! We currently have 7 of them in our flock and we enjoy the variety of colors- from their feathers to their eggs.

 

{4 of our Easter Egger pullets, age 9 weeks}

What you have in mind as far as your poultry-raising plans go is what really comes into play when deciding which of the three strains of this breed to choose. If you are wanting to raise and breed true Araucanas, you will find yourself investing hundreds of dollars. Ameraucanas are a bit more spendy than your average breed as well. But if you simply want some colorful birds and the enjoyment of pulling a blue/green egg from the nest box- you can acquire an Easter Egger for the same cost as most other breeds.

Whatever you decide, I hope I’ve helped you learn the facts so that you can make an informed decision. Regardless of what you choose, enjoy these beautiful, unique birds. They truly are a joy!

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