Easter eggers

[Rick589]

I see a lot of folks, here and other sites, that really like these birds. Never really got a clear understanding of the attraction so I’m asking, what is it about these birds that people enjoy so much?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

The egg color...thats it. Lol

 

[WingItRanch]

Yes, the colored eggs. But also they're generally more healthy because they are mixes instead of pure breds (think less inbreeding).

I like them because you never know what they'll look like or what color eggs they'll lay. It's a fun surprise. My EEs also lay eggs as often and just as big as my Barred Rocks.

 

[nuthatched]

They're knock offs of more expensive breeds that lay pretty eggs. Everything else is normal for chickens except they seem to struggle with more than their fair share of cross beak genes.

 

[Rick589]

They're knock offs of more expensive breeds that lay pretty eggs. Everything else is normal for chickens except they seem to struggle with more than their fair share of cross beak genes.

Good to know. I never seem to get a sense of their temperament. Any thoughts on that? I have BO’s and was questioning how they’d get along.

 

[AntiqueB]

My EEs are the friendliest (to people) and healthiest in my flock. Both laid well up intil their 4th year.

How well they get along with other chickens is up to the individual bird. One of them was bestie with her hatchmate (a BO!), but when the BO died, the EE became more of a bully. My other EE, though, can be thrown right in with birds she never met, and be just fine with them. She's such a chill chicken.

So many other breeds are attractive, but my practical side says I should really just have a flock of EEs, I like them that much.

 

[nuthatched]

Good to know. I never seem to get a sense of their temperament. Any thoughts on that? I have BO’s and was questioning how they’d get along.

All birds are individuals, it impossible to say.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Yes, the colored eggs. But also they're generally more healthy because they are mixes instead of pure preds (think less inbreeding).

I like them because you never know what they'll look like or what color eggs they'll lay. It's a fun surprise. My EEs also lay eggs as often and just as big as my Barred Rocks.

THIS^^ Cold and heat tolerant, pretty eggs, prolific layers of large to XL eggs, very healthy (if you don't get a crossbeak) and can lay a decent amount for 7+ years. Since they are mixed breeds and many hatcheries/breeders have different stock, temperament is not consistent. Many people say their EEs are very sweet and docile while others have the opposite experience. My experience has been the latter - they are flighty around humans and tend to be at the top of the pecking order so can be bullies, but not all of them are that way.

Edited to add that I've raised Easter Eggers for 15 years.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Easter Egger is just a slang term for any chicken that lays colored eggs and doesn't fit APA SOP. Typically they're Ameraucana mutts

I like them because they lay well, are good at free-ranging, cold & heat hardy, and like most mutts they're far healthier than most purebreeds

I had one Ameraucana roo generations ago and his poofy cheeks, beard, and colored egg gene have been passed down into countless offspring. My family loves them all

 

[FrostRanger]

I love EEs 'cause of their colorful eggs, generally friendly temperments and they're so stinkin cute. I absolutely love bearded chickens. The surprise of what color birds you'll get and what color eggs they'll lay is fun too! EEs are what got me into chickens and I will always have EEs in my flock