The first time my Ameraucana hen laid an egg, my kids went crazy! Undoubtedly, one of the most fun things about having a varied chicken flock is getting different colored eggs. We hand-selected chicks in the spring to get as many colors of eggs as possible while balancing with a few heavy egg layers that lay a large white egg.
What color eggs do Ameraucana chickens lay? Ameraucana chickens lay a blue egg. They are one of two official breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association that lay blue eggs. Other chicks from mixed breeds may occasionally lay a blueish egg, but even then, chicks from the same hatching may lay green or olive-colored eggs.
Americaunas are a fascinating and rare chicken breed with unique characteristics. I think you’ll love raising them, but there are a few things to know first.
The Ameraucana Chicken Breed’s Interesting History
The APA recognized Auruacana chickens as an American chicken breed in 1974 and Ameraucana chickens in 1984. According to the APA, the Araucana chicken breed originated in Chile from a native chicken that lays blue eggs. The Ameracauna Chickens were developed from a variety of American breeds and the Araucana breed.
The Ameraucana Alliance disputes that account. They claim that simultaneously, the Ameraucanas and Araucanas were mutt breeds developed from the Chilean and American chicken breeds.
Both organizations were around during the 1970s when the breeds were getting established in the United States, so it is difficult to know which one is correct. The Ameraucana Alliance may have originated from the founding developers of the breed and may have additional insight into which breeds formed the Ameraucana chicken breed.
Where did the Ameraucana Chicken come from? According to most accounts, the Ameraucana chicken breed was developed in the 1970s from the Araucana chicken breed, which in turn was developed from native Chilean chickens that laid blue eggs. The Araucana chicken breed has a genetic defect in which 1 in 4 eggs never hatch, but Ameraucanas do not have that gene or mortality rate.
Unless you believe the Ameracauna Alliance, who has looked into the historical records and found that no rumpless chickens with ear tufts (required traits of the Araucana chicken) were used for breeding the Ameraucana chicken breeds. Their claim seems to have some legitimacy as Ameraucana chickens never throw what should be a recessive trait in their offspring.
Purebred Ameraucana Chicken Characteristics & Breed Identification
How many breeds of Ameraucana chickens are there? Ameraucana chickens were developed from several chicken breeds, but unfortunately, the records of which breeds were used have been lost or were never kept track of. There are roughly 7 breeders who developed the 8 color varieties of Ameraucana chickens.
Ameraucana chickens have nine color variations and a bantam variety. Recognized colors include Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Buff, Brown Red, Self Blue (Lavender), Silver, Wheaton, and White. Breed traits include a pea comb, full tails, muffs and beards, black legs, no ear tuffs, and white skin. Self Blue or Lavender is a newer recognized color variety and was only recognized in 2020 by the APA.
There are many physical differences between the Ameraucana and Araucana breeds. The Araucana chicken is rumpless, while Amaraucanas have full tails. Araucanas have ear tufts, but Amaraucanas have no tufts. Interestingly, two Aruacaunas that meet breed specifications will have chicks without ear tufts, which will not be considered Araucana. The ear tufts create the deadly gene in the Araucana chicken. When it’s inherited from both parents
Conversely, Araucanas always throw offspring that meet breed standards.
Physical Trait Differences Between Ameraucana, Araucana, and Easter Egger Chickens:
| Ameraucana | Araucana | Easter Egger |
| Full Tail Feathers | Rumpless | No standard |
| No Ear Tuffs | Ear Tufts | No standard |
| Muffs AND Beard | No Muffs, No Beard | No standard |
| Pea Comb | Pea Comb | No standard |
| Red ear lobes | Red ear lobes | No standard |
| Black or Slate Legs | Willow, Black, and Yellow Legs | No standard |
| White Skin | White skin disqualifies chicken | No standard |
As you can see, a pea comb and red ear lobes are the only physical similarities the two breeds share. Additionally, both breeds lay a blue egg.
Raising Ameraucana Chicks
Ameraucana chickens are happy, friendly, and energetic birds, not lap chickens. They don’t like to be picked up or held. But, they are happy to socialize, generally get along, and usually fit in the middle of the pecking order. The roosters are not aggressive and make a good family rooster.
Ameraucanas are fairly hardy and do well in cold temperatures. They forage easily, don’t make a lot of noise, and are fairly docile. They lay a lovely blue egg and are easy chickens to raise.
If you have a true Ameraucana, you are guaranteed a light blue egg, but many hatcheries try to pass of mongrel or mutt chickens as Americauna (notice the spelling) as a marketing ploy. If your chicken lays a green egg or any other color besides light blue, it is not an Ameraucana chicken. It’s an Easter Egger.
Are Ameraucana Chickens good for beginners? Ameraucana chickens are calm, friendly, and easy to care for- perfect for beginner chicken owners. They forage and free-range easily. They can struggle when they don’t get to free-range or are cooped in a smaller space. Ameraucana chickens are docile, and even the rooster won’t cause problems.
Ameraucana chickens do not like to be held or picked up. They are friendly and will follow you around once they know you bring treats and they have a chance to bond with you. But, unless you spend significant time with the chicks to train them to lap sit, and maybe not even then, they won’t want to sit on your lap. They’ll want to spend time with you, but on the ground.
Are they noisy? Ameraucana chickens are fairly quiet, making them nice for those with closer neighbors, but they sing an egg song. They can be very vocal during the egg song, but during other times of the day, you won’t hear a lot out of them.
Ameraucana chickens live for seven years to eight years.
How can you tell a real Ameraucana chicken from an Easter Egger?
Purebred Ameraucana chickens will always lay a blue egg. No exception. The chicks will cost more. If the advertising misspells the breed name, mentions green or pink eggs, or if the chicks don’t have muffs, a beard and black or grey legs, they are Easter Eggers. Plus, if you are looking at a bulk batch of chicks at a store- they are probably not Ameraucanas.
Additionally, they should have muffs and a beard, black (or dark grey) legs, white skin, a pea comb, and red small ear lobes.
Unless you are experienced in identifying Ameraucana chickens, it is fairly difficult to tell an Easter Egger from an Ameraucana chicken. The only true way to identify an Ameraucana chicken is to purchase a purebred chick from a recognized breeder.
Are Ameraucana chickens and Easter Eggers the same breed?
Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers are not the same breeds. Ameraucana chickens are a recognized breed that lays blue eggs, while Easter Eggers are mongrel chickens that have some blue-egg genes mixed with often unknown breeds. They have no breed standard and can lay pink, green, brown, or tan eggs.
Occasionally an Easter Egger hen may lay a blue egg as well, but that doesn’t mean she is an Ameraucana.
Most commercial hatcheries do not sell Ameraucana chicks. Instead, they sell Easter Egger chickens and market them as Americana chicks. But, most of the time, the spelling will be wrong. Additionally, if you see an Ameraucana chick sold and the marketing says it can lay multi-colored eggs, pink or green eggs, it is an Easter Egger mutt, not a purebred one.
Ameraucana chicks are still fairly rare, meaning they aren’t sold at farm stores or in bulk. Instead, you need to order purebred chicks from recognized breeders whose chicks meet breed standards. However, they are growing in popularity so in a decade or two; they may show up in stores. Chicks usually cost between $10 and $15 each.
How do you tell a male Ameraucana from a female?
As 3-month-old chicks, the male Ameraucanas will have a thicker comb. The chickens will also develop tail feathers earlier, which will grow longer. You may also notice the males attempting to crow early on. They may try in the early months, but it will be more noticeable around four or five months. They are not sexed, meaning they don’t look differently upon hatching.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ameraucanas
| Ameraucana Chicken Advantages | Ameraucana Disadvantages |
| Easy to care for | Rarer and more expensive |
| Loves to Free Range | Isn’t as content cooped up |
| Good with kids | Broody |
| Blue eggs | Matures slower |
| Hardy in Cold and hot temperatures | “Knock-offs” makes it harder to know if you have the true breed |
Getting Ameraucana Blue Eggs
Once you own these lovely chickens, you are probably anxious for your blue eggs.
How soon will I get blue eggs? Ameraucana hens mature slower than other breeds and will usually start laying eggs when they are around seven months old. They have their best egg production for about 1.5 years, then egg laying will slow. Some Ameraucana hens still lay an occasional blue egg at six or seven years old.
Will an Ameraucana hen go broody? According to breed standards, Amaraucana chickens are not a broody breed. However, many Ameraucana chicken owners have reported that the hens do go broody. It’s hard to know for certain if your true Americana hens will go broody or not, as some owners may have an Easter Egger instead. Additionally, different strains may have an increased tendency toward broodiness than others.
Ameraucana hens tend to make good mothers and will watch out and protect their chicks. During the nesting period they will sit on the eggs and scare away other hens or perceived threats (even you). They do a good job of feeding the chicklings and showing chicks the ropes.
Ameraucana Chicken Eggs Per Year
The very best aspect of Ameraucana chicken eggs is the light blue color that shows on the inside and outside of the shell. They lay medium-sized, blue eggs five to six times a week, which equates to about 260 eggs a year (unless the hen goes broody). After two years, egg production will drop to four to five eggs a year.
You may see a drop-off in egg production during winter if you live in a northern climate with snow and drastically fewer daylight hours. But, even in the Northern Hemisphere in the Southern USA, Ameraucana chickens can lay eggs throughout the winter.
FAQs
Can Ameraucanas lay green eggs? Ameraucana chickens never lay green eggs. If an “Ameraucana” chicken lays a green egg, she is an Easter Egger and may have Ameraucana genes in her. A. chickens will never lay anything but a blue egg. Additionally, chicks are never “part” Ameraucana- they are Easter Eggers.
Do Ameraucanas lay a lot of eggs? Ameraucana hens can lay decent eggs, but not as high as the heavy egg layers. They lay up to 5 or 6 eggs a week their first year. After that, they will often lay 4-5 eggs for another year and then decline in egg production. You may notice that some sources state that they lay fewer eggs, but that is due to the confusion around Easter Eggers being classified as Ameraucana chickens instead of EE.
Can Ameraucanas lay pink eggs? Ameraucana hens never lay pink eggs. Pink eggs are actually just brown eggs that are faded in color because of the genetic mixes of the mongrel chicken. Because of the genetic mix of a white and brown egg layer, the eggs are faded and appear pink.
What color are Lavender Ameraucana eggs? Just like the other color varieties, Self Blue or Lavender Ameraucana eggs are a light blue that permeates the eggshell. The blue color should show on the eggshells inside and outside. While some “blue” egg layers only show blue on the outside of the shell, all Ameraucana chickens will lay a completely blue egg.
Do Ameraucanas taste differently than other chickens? Ameraucana chickens taste like other chicken breeds. There is some slight variation in taste from chicken to chicken, but this is mostly due to individual birds’ feed and environment differences. Most people cannot tell a difference. In the 1980s, advertisers promoted the myth that Ameraucanas tasted like quail, but that was a false ad whose myth persists today.
My Favorite Chicken and Duck Supplies
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Manna Pro Oyster Shell keeps eggs strong. Before I gave my chickens oyster shell, I had the oddest eggs, many with weak and irregular shells. Now, I don’t have an issue.
Layer Feed by Manna Pro. I like pellets rather than crumbles as my chickens eat them better and less gets wasted or scavenged by rodents. A good layer feed makes the difference in hens laying many more eggs.
My chickens love this mealworm treat, which gives added protein, something that’s great during molting and winter months.
There are many ways to feed and water your chickens. I like this food and water setup the best because it reduces waste, saves me time feeding and watering, and keeps the food fresh longer. Except, in the winter, I use a heated waterer. The only problem is the heated waterers need to be replaced every few years.
I love this chicken veggie hanger. It makes it easy to give your chickens produce from the garden and keep them occupied in the winter with a fresh head of lettuce.
These chicken toys are a hoot! They will help curb bullying and keep your chickens active, especially in the winter when hens tend to get more lethargic.
Conclusion
Ameraucana chickens may be more costly than common chicken breeds, but you will get a guaranteed blue egg unlike Easter Eggers. Before I understood the differences, I spend far more trying to get a blue egg layer in an Easter Egger than I would have if I’d just ordered Ameraucanas from the get-go.
If you want blue eggs, I encourage you to order from a reputable breeder. The Araucana Association keeps a list of breeders, which you can find below in Resources.
Resources
APA Acceptance of Self Blue Ameraucana Chickens
APA acceptance of Self Blue “Lavender” Ameraucana Chickens
Official Ameraucana Breeders:
List of official Ameraucana Breeders
Araucana Chicken Breed Standards
Araucana Chicken Breed Standards
The Ameraucana Alliance FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Ameraucana Chickens | The Ameraucana Alliance