How to grade my bantam Aracauna rooster

Here is my favorite bantam Aracauna rooster. I have half a dozen bantam hens with him that I decided to raise some chicks from. I personally like his color as he his base color is black.

My girls are interesting in showing a couple of birds next year so I'm trying to understand what sort of quality or lack thereof I have. I never showed a bird, and only keep them as a hobby, but I do understand there is "hatchery quality" vs "breeder quality" and I have an interest in improving my own birds over time. I joined the APA and ordered a copy of the Standard of Perfection. Otherwise, I just lack experience with what to look for.

PS: I am new to the site, and this my not be the forum for asking opinions on my birds as I am not a "serious" breeder or judge. If I should move these posts to a different forum let me know. I did read the description for this forum and it seems maybe I should post it elsewhere but I'm not sure.

The bird isn't an Araucana.

True bred Araucana birds are so rare that the only source for them is dedicated breeders and exhibitors of the breed. When your copy of the Standard arrives, study both the LF page and the bantam page for the breed as the birds, as always, have the same standard, except for the size/weight difference.


Like other standard bred poultry, it is almost never, ever wise to try to "breed" up mutts and hatchery stuff. You'll waste too many years and still the end result will be discouragement. Here's to hoping you get a chance to attend a sanctioned APA/ABA exhibition and see the great birds and the opportunity to meet, greet and talk to the breeders. Best to you.

Oh thanks, I'm sorry I just saw this reply. I never got a notification about it. I ended up posting again thinking I'd forgotten to post this thread.

I will do as you suggest. Wow I'm a bit disappointed though.

Not questioning you, but what are they selling? How does McMurray legally sell these birds? What are they, if not Aracauna? They lay blue/green, have tufts, beard, and pea comb, that is all I know. Would you classify these as Easter Eggers at best?

mrjoltcola said:

Not questioning you, but what are they selling? How does McMurray legally sell these birds? What are they, if not Aracauna? They lay blue/green, have tufts, beard, and pea comb, that is all I know. Would you classify these as Easter Eggers at best?

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Welcome to the retail poultry world. That's all I can say. The concept of "standard bred" poultry is really only held near and dear by the APA/ABA who publish the standard books, license the poultry judges, sanction the exhibitions, etc, etc.

The rest? Nah. The hatcheries mass produce as they are a business. They try to make money. Customers? Mostly just simple folks who want birds that are chickens and chickens is what they get. LOL. 99% of the folks just want "pets with benefits" or just want eggs/meat or just want something colorful in the backyard. That's it. As long as the bird being sold is slightly differentiated from the bird being sold on the next page of the glossy brochure, it's all good in the eyes of the beholders.

There are no breed police. It's all fair game. Only a very few even care. There are hundreds of posts here every month where someone shows a picture and asks "What breed is this?" or "What breed were mixed in this bird?" The fact is? From an APA/ABA point of view? They aren't any breed. Don't even come close. About any barred bird with yellow legs is called a Barred Rock. Anything in the palette of rusty reddish bird is proclaimed a Rhode Island Red when there is almost NOTHING about the bird that is a Red. So? Life as we know it.

Yes, Easter Egger is a made up name of any mutt/mixed bird that lays a colorful egg. That's it. No other qualities are required. See? Not a breed at all. Are colorful eggs fun for backyards? certainly. That's as far as it goes.

mrjoltcola said:

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I looked back at my order, from 2015 and it was McMurray's Araucana/Americana (mispelling noted). If anything, mine appear more like an Ameraacana. I don't know why I thought I had ordered Araucanas. At the time, I didn't know the difference, now I do. Thanks.

mrjoltcola said:

Not questioning you, but what are they selling? How does McMurray legally sell these birds? What are they, if not Aracauna? They lay blue/green, have tufts, beard, and pea comb, that is all I know. Would you classify these as Easter Eggers at best?

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They have a video explaining their breed, their reason for calling it what it is, etc.


Contrary to what others will say, Easter Eggers are not just any random mutt/cross breed.

Thanks, actually that video was informative and has explained McMurray's odd naming. After posting the original question, I've learned a lot about both breeds, and learned what real Aracaunas are (actually rumpless). I also ordered some true Aracauna from a well known breeder and now have a couple of juvenile trios and some eggs that hopefully hatch. The pic in my original post is of a bantam McMurray "Aracauna/Ameracauna" which I think is both confusing and misleading. But since they in fact cross both of the breeds (they seem to look like Ameracauna to me, beard, muffs and tail) it may be accurate. Once I got my APA Standard, it appeared I was dealing with Ameracaunas, but then we found out they are McMurray's cross. My daughters are disappointed because they briefly thought they had a true breed for showing. The bird above is still a very pretty bird and I do sell chicks from his 5 hens, but I always tell people I don't know for sure what he is.

Just remember only American Aracauna standards require it to be rumpless. In other countries there are tailed Aracaunas. Of course, that doesn't really apply to you but don't be quick to dismiss an Aracauna as genuine if you see one here on the boards with a tail.