What are the differences between the Ameraucana and Araucana breeds?

[LilithA]

Is there a difference between the Ameraucana and Arucana breeds? I am not sure about this.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Ameraucanas have tails, muffs, beards, different leg colors than Aruacanas
Araucanas are rumpless, have tufts, have the lethal tufted gene, have different leg colors than Ameraucanas
That’s what I’ve been able to gather.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Previous poster is pretty much on the money. I would add that neither breed is readily available except from breeders.

 

[N F C]

Good question to ask! It's how we all learn, so make yourself at home here and ask away.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Welcome to BYC. Previous poster is pretty much on the money. I would add that neither breed is readily available except from breeders.

Sour is correct that the only way to guarantee good quality stock even if you’re only looking for pet quality is through a breeder. I’m getting a pet quality black Ameraucana pullet on March 7th and I’m paying $35 for her. Expect to pay about the same and most likely more for show quality Ameraucanas. I’m also getting some Araucana pullets in May and I’m paying $25 each, I’ve seen pairs of Araucanas go for $100 each. Show quality Araucanas go for hundreds of dollars and they are bought as soon as the breeder puts them up for auction.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Current bids on skyblueegg.com for Araucanas

 

[LilithA]

Thank you so much! I didn't realize they were so different!

 

[FowlStuff]

What are the major differences between Ameraucana and Araucana chickens?
Both breeds lay eggs with shells colored various shades of blue, have pea combs, and should have red earlobes. Beyond that few similarities exist in specimens meeting the requirements of recognized poultry standards. Many day-old chicks sold as Araucanas (or Ameraucanas) by commercial hatcheries are actually mongrels (aka Easter Egg chickens), meeting the requirements of neither breed.

According to the American Poultry Association (APA), the Araucana breed must be rumpless (no tail) and have ear tufts. Ear tufts are clumps of feathers growing from small tabs of skin usually found at or near the region of the ear openings. This feature is unique in the U.S. to the Araucana breed. This trait is nearly always lethal to unhatched chicks when inherited from both parents. Tufted Araucanas, therefore, are always genetically impure, i.e., they don't breed true and will always produce a percentage of "clean-faced" offspring.

The Ameraucana breed, on the other hand, has a tail and sports muffs and beard in the facial area. These characteristics are true-breeding. Other requirements of both breeds may be found in the APA's Standard of Perfection and in the American Bantam Association's (ABA) Bantam Standard.

See more on our Ameraucana FAQ page and read my article about Ameraucana chickens.