Chicken Breed History:

The Ameraucana was developed in the 70's by a few people who were trying to standardize the Araucana breed. The Ameraucana is easier to breed as there are no complications due to lethal genes. A very detailed history of the Ameraucana can be read at the Ameraucana Breeders Club website. Besides the above color requirements the following are some of the traits Ameraucanas should posess: {eyes - bay (reddish brown)} {shanks & feet - slate (blue grey) black accepted on black birds, bottoms of feet white} {ear lobes - red, pale on females (no white)} {comb - pea} {wattles - very small, absent} {skin - white} {toes - four} {muffs & beard - forming three seperate lobes, absence is a DQ} {egg color - blue, minty green} {cock weight - 6.5 lbs/cockerel - 5.5 lbs} {hen weight - 5.5 lbs/pullet - 4.5 lbs} {full breast, medium back, and tail carried at 45 degrees above horizontal} {the bird must breed true to color}

Chicken Breed Comments / Experience:

I have been breeding for several years and have found them to be anywhere on the spectrum from personable, to shy and always entertaining. The best layers are the black and blue varieties. The most personable are the wheatens and blue wheatens. Whites and buffs are very easy going. Silvers, along with black and blue can be flighty. I have found that if you raise the more flighty birds in a large brooder or in smaller numbers it tends to make them more receptive to humans. The blue, black, wheaten and blue wheaten varieties, in my opinion have the nicest egg color. They are good layers and do not drop off in production sharply after their second year like many other breeds.