Aaracana, Ameraucana, (Americana), Easter Eggers

[pennyJo1960]

Okay, Araucana and Ameraucana are two different breeds, both derived from the same originally imported stock. Araucana are rumpless, tufted, have yellow skin, lay blue eggs, have pea combs, and only come in a few colors/varieties. Ameraucana are bearded, muffed, have white skin, slate legs, lay blue eggs, have pea combs, and only lay blue eggs.

The original blue/green laying birds that were imported into the U.S. were referred to as Araucana, but they were basically what we consider Easter Eggers. A handful of breeders began selectively breeding for a set of traits and after a few years, got their Araucanas accepted as a recognized breed by the American Poultry Association. Since the name Araucana now only applied to the birds that met the breed standard, the birds that did not meet this standard became known as Ameraucana. A different group of breeders began breeding their birds towards a different set of goals, thus creating the Ameraucana breed that is currently accepted by the American Poultry Association. Since the acceptance of the Ameraucana as a breed, hatcheries have not updated or changed their marketing or labeling of their birds to reflect the changes that have occurred. And they refuse to acknowledge that their birds aren't actually Ameraucana, as per the breed definition. They are still breeding from birds descended from the original import stock, towards no common standard or set of goals. It's these birds that are commonly known as Easter Eggers.

You see, Easter Eggers are the originals, unrefined. The two other breeds were created using the Easter Egger as the foundation.

No one can question why I leave the breeding to you and just pay
you for them

 

[junebuggena]

lol. I've done my homework. When you're trying to work towards creating a true-breeding line of Easter Eggers, it pays to know the history of what you are dealing with...

 

[pennyJo1960]

lol. I've done my homework. When you're trying to work towards creating a true-breeding line of Easter Eggers, it pays to know the history of what you are dealing with...

I did that with dogs and genome for 35 years them
I am the cats meow or was. Chickens are best left
to those that have cared enough to do it right.

 

[DreamsInPink]

Thank you so much for all that.. gosh. As I said, so complex. So back to my EEs that I have coming in June... how good are they odds I'll get pretty eggs? I ordered 3 EEs in hopes of getting maybe 3 different colors eggs. Do they ever lay white or brown eggs?

 

[junebuggena]

You will most likely get shades of blue or green, but there is always a chance for white, cream, shades of brown, or pink. That's why they are called Easter Eggers. And you never know what color a pullet will lay until she finally does. That's part of what makes them so much fun.

 

[DreamsInPink]

Yes, I'm really thinking about ordering a few more! I'd love a nice array of colors in my egg basket someday. Pink would be awesome... I'm partial to pink. *pokes my username* LOL

Can you tell me how well they typically lay?

 

[junebuggena]

Typically, they are good layers. Mine lay just about every single day. Occasionally, you may get one that is a poor producer. I had one like that. She was too inconsistent with her laying for me to ever consider using her for breeding. Plus she was a stressed out little basket case, another thing that made her unsuitable for my breeding program. My other hens have wonderful temperaments. Docile, but still assertive enough to hold the top positions in the flock.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

I like mine. They are much more vocal then my Barr Rock and more skittish but they are easy temperaments and lay pretty green eggs.

 

[DreamsInPink]

Are the poorer producers very common? But with hatchery chicks, it's probably more common... unfortunately.

Since you mentioned 'top positions in a flock'... have you ever found a younger chick to take over a flock of older pullets? I'm just curious about how my flock dynamics will play out. When it's all said and done, I will have had 5 different ages being integrated by mid summer or early fall.

I'm sorry for all the questions....

 

[junebuggena]

Are the poorer producers very common? But with hatchery chicks, it's probably more common... unfortunately.

Since you mentioned 'top positions in a flock'... have you ever found a younger chick to take over a flock of older pullets? I'm just curious about how my flock dynamics will play out. When it's all said and done, I will have had 5 different ages being integrated by mid summer or early fall.

I'm sorry for all the questions....

As pullets mature, flock dynamics can and do change. Whether or not a pullet will eventually take the top position largely depends on both the temperament of the younger bird and the older birds. In my flock, my oldest Easter Egger hen reigns supreme. She has never been aggressive in asserting her dominance, but a glance from her will send a lower ranking bird running. She's a strong, but gentle top hen.