New at raising araucana chicks.

[sshaddinger]

Hi!
My name is Stephanie, I just moved to Mandeville, LA. We are able to have chickens in our backyard, we plan on getting 3 araucana chickens. Any advice or tips on raising them? I'm excited to raise them!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to bycà
Have you identified a reputable breeder to get the chicks from? Araucana are agreed that is not available from any commercial hstchery....there are several, though, that do misrepresent chicks as araucana. .. the same is true of retail stores that sell chicks. True araucana are available from reputable breeders.
I would encourage you to become very familiar with the characteristics of this and any other breed you become interested in to avoid being sold chicks that aren't whay you think they are

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hi!
My name is Stephanie, I just moved to Mandeville, LA. We are able to have chickens in our backyard, we plan on getting 3 araucana chickens. Any advice or tips on raising them? I'm excited to raise them!

Welcome to bycà
Have you identified a reputable breeder to get the chicks from? Araucana are agreed that is not available from any commercial hstchery....there are several, though, that do misrepresent chicks as araucana. .. the same is true of retail stores that sell chicks. True araucana are available from reputable breeders.
I would encourage you to become very familiar with the characteristics of this and any other breed you become interested in to avoid being sold chicks that aren't whay you think they are

 

[sshaddinger]

Welcome to bycà
Have you identified a reputable breeder to get the chicks from? Araucana are agreed that is not available from any commercial hstchery....there are several, though, that do misrepresent chicks as araucana. .. the same is true of retail stores that sell chicks. True araucana are available from reputable breeders.
I would encourage you to become very familiar with the characteristics of this and any other breed you become interested in to avoid being sold chicks that aren't whay you think they are

Thank you for the heads up! I don't know where to begin looking for some in my area. Do you know of a web-site?

 

[sshaddinger]

Thank you for the heads up! I don't know where to begin looking for some in my area. Do you know of a web-site?

 

[keesmom]

http://www.araucana.net/

Is there any particular reason you want true araucana? You will have to get them from a breeder, and since they are difficult to hatch I'm going to guess they will be expensive. Chicks will also come straight run (unsexed).

If you are just after blue eggs there are Ameraucanas and cream Legbars. You can order them from specific hatcheries and have them sexed. MPC, Meyer and Cackle have true Ameraucans and I think all 3 have Legbars. Whiting true blues from McMurray are another option.

Then there are Easter Eggers. A common and inexpensive option. Many hatcheries mislabel them as Ameraucanas or Araucanas. There's nothing wrong with EEs either. They come in a variety of colors and most often lay blue or green eggs, but can also lay brown, pinkish or white. And they can come sexed.

 

[sshaddinger]

http://www.araucana.net/

Is there any particular reason you want true araucana? You will have to get them from a breeder, and since they are difficult to hatch I'm going to guess they will be expensive. Chicks will also come straight run (unsexed).

If you are just after blue eggs there are Ameraucanas and cream Legbars. You can order them from specific hatcheries and have them sexed. MPC, Meyer and Cackle have true Ameraucans and I think all 3 have Legbars. Whiting true blues from McMurray are another option.

Then there are Easter Eggers. A common and inexpensive option. Many hatcheries mislabel them as Ameraucanas or Araucanas. There's nothing wrong with EEs either. They come in a variety of colors and most often lay blue or green eggs, but can also lay brown, pinkish or white. And they can come sexed.

:} Thank you for the information, this helps out a lot! No, I don't have to have true araucanas...this will help us when shopping around for some.
**Stephanie**

 

[coloradowildflower]

The breed that many stores sell as Araucanas are often just a cross-breed chicken more accurately called Easter Eggers. That being said, I've kept EEs a long time and I adore them. I buy them knowing they are not true Arucanas/Americanas, and have a beautiful egg basket as well as super friendly chooks that have distinct personalities and are hardy. So if you're not looking to breed true Arucanas, then just look for healthy chicks from a reputable feed store or hatchery and you'll be fine!
As for tips on raising them, do your research on brooders and what kind of a setup you'd like to have BEFORE you bring them home. Here's a great article to get you thinking about that: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/ (there are more in the "Articles" section here at BYC. Also, consider what happens after they grow out of their fluff. Do you have a coop yet? If not, think about what kind of space and setup you'll be able to provide. That will help you decide on how many to get.
How exciting! Good luck with your new adventure!