Are Americanas Considered Easter Eggers?

[FowlPlay2]

I ordered some Americanas and for some reason I was thinking they were the true breed Ameraucanas. I keep looking into them but all I can really find are things on Ameraucanas. I guess I just want to know if Americanas are considered Easter Eggers since I saw that somewhere. Also, are they good layers and/or cold hardy?

 

[Percheron chick]

Yes they are. Unless you spent $15+ on the chick, they re EEs. I've had mostly good EE layers (5-6/week) in CO.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If it is spelled "Ameraucana" and you paid a pretty penny for it, it's probably the real deal. If it's spelled any other way and you got it for, say, $5 to $8 or less, it's an Easter Egger and won't breed true. It's a mixed breed or a mutt. Lovely birds, but not an Ameraucana. So beware of:

Ameracana
Americana
Americauna

Or any other spelling. Someone may be trying to deceive you, sell you a "pig in a poke," sell you a $3 bird and convince you it's something it's not. I understand Cackle Hatchery has some true Ameraucanas, but other than that I think you have to find some reputable breeders and good luck.

 

[WingItRanch]

Yes. If it's spelled with an "i" then they are the same as Easter Eggers. They are mixes bred to lay colorful eggs.

They are great egg layers and are usually pretty cold hardy because they (usually) have pea combs so less chance of frost bite.

Note: I say "usually" because Easter Eggers can be a mix of any blue egg laying breed but are typically mixed with true Ameraucanas which is why you typically see pea combs and muffs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I love my EEs, they are cold hardy and are good layers. I also have six Prairie Bluebell Eggers and they lay a very pretty blue egg, although the birds themselves can look like anything.

 

[StinkyAcres]

You won't be disappointed! Ameraucana type Easter Eggers are the best! Cold and heat hardy, generally very healthy, fantastic layers of large and jumbo eggs, and can live a long time and lay eggs for most of their life.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It really gripes me that people sell EEs under these bastardized names. Buyers get them, probably thinking they're getting real Ameraucanas but that the seller just made a typo or something, and then, after investing time and energy into them, they end up with birds that lay green instead of blue eggs, and don't breed true. What a waste of time, effort, energy and money. What a disappointment! When if they just knew they were getting EEs, they could have enjoyed them for what they are. EEs are a great breed, IMO. I'll always have them in my flock. They're very nice people, easy keepers, get along well with others, and good producers.

 

[FowlPlay2]

Thank you guys so much! I was worried I got some kind of bad layer, and I got a lot of them This makes me feel so much better! I guess the lesson here is to look into my chickens a little bit more haha

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Well, just be careful you don't pay Ameraucana prices for EE chicks! But EEs are perfectly lovely and good chickens.

 

[LeucadiaCoop]

I live in southern California and paid $20 per chick for my Americanas/EE. Does this mean I’m not getting blue eggs? For reference I also paid $20 for my lavender, sapphire gems and $15 for buff orps.