Easter Eggers

[RBahmer]

Hello. I was just wondering if someone could explain the difference to me of Easter Eggers and Ameraucanas/Araucanas ? I'm new to this and just don't understand the difference. Thanks

 

[Illia]

Easter Eggers - mutts often sold under false claim as Ameraucana/Araucanas but really they're often a bearded, green legged colored layer of green, blue, or brown eggs. Though they do vary, most hens are brown and black, most roosters are yellow, black, and white. There aren't "rules" on appearance though. Some can have no beard, or yellow legs, or whatever - The definition of an EE is a bird who's parents laid blue or green eggs but the bird itself does not match the description or standard for an Ameraucana or Araucana. Most often it is a mutt, but sometimes crossing two Ameraucana colors that don't go well together can result in an Easter Egger, too.

Ameraucanas - APA accepted breed, they have beard/muffs like EE's but they come in only 8 recognized colors, only have slate blue legs, only lay blue eggs, and only come from breeders (not hatcheries)

Araucanas - APA accepted breed, they do not have tails or beard/muffs but they do have greeen legs. They only lay blue eggs, and do not come from hatcheries.


Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers in the beginning can be hard to differ but after a while you'll easily spot the EE's. Just remember though, Ameraucanas aren't very common.


Araucanas are easily differed from the others but even less common than the others. Their lack of tails is very unique, and their tufts (not to be confused with muffs/beard) are also quite special.

 

[RBahmer]

I have some that come from a hatchery and they were called Ameraucanas. Some are blue with red lacing and others are white with red lacing. They all have blue legs and so far are laying blue eggs. What do you think they are? I'm trying to figure it out. Thanks

 

[DMRippy]

EE are mixes and not a breed. usually will lay a blue, green, pink or brown eggs. Ameraucanas are an APA approved breed and must meet certain standards to be an Ameraucana. Only certain colors and types are acceptable to meet the standards. EE come in all colors. EE can also be Ameraucanas that don't meet the standards, like the color is off are they don't have a beard and muffs. Two pure Ameraucanas that meet the SOP breed together that produce the wrong coloring would then be an EE.

It is clear as mud right? Check out this page http://www.ameraucana.org/index.html and if your bird is not pictured you have an EE. If you think your bird is there go look at the SOP for that color and make sure. If still in doubt post a pic and ask.....

One more thing EE are usually multi colored not solid, but not always

here is the EE thread with lots of pics
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=273489&p=1

here is the Ameraucana thread with more pics of EE

and Ameraucana they will tell you which is which.

When in doubt they are EEs. Lots of people have both, one for variety and one for breeding, both because they are pretty and lay pretty eggs.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
Hatcheries do NOT sell real Ameraucans. Those would be EE for sure.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
They're Easter Eggers. If they came from a hatchery, they're EE's no matter what the hatchery tells ya. And yes, some EE's can have slate blue legs.



And yep, some people have both or all three. I have all three. My Ameraucanas and Araucanas I have because I LOVE them both and breed them. My Easter Eggers I have because they're often either A) good egg layers for eating eggs or B) my "work in progress" birds to a future goal.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
You have that on notepad so you can cut and paste, don't you

What she said!!!

 

[Illia]

Actually I just wrote that out in a jiffy, straight from, umm, my head.

 

[RBahmer]

Thanks so much everyone. I checked out that website and did not see my chickens. I have Easter Eggers for sure. I think they are beautiful and I love them. I have one that sits on my leg everytime I go in there. I sit on a cement block and talk to them and she comes running up to get on my leg. Wouldn't trade them for the world. They are a part of my laying group. I am mostly going to concentrate on my dark brown egg layers. But my laying group is every bit as important to me.

 

[LT]

I have three EE's who haven't started laying yet, so I don't know what their eggs look like, but I love those girls, and I think they are some of the most beautiful in my flock. In fact, I think the others are jealous of them!