Ameraucana

Egg Size:

Medium

Purpose:

Egg Laying

Egg Color:

blue

Egg Laying Rating:

Good

Chicken Size:

Medium

Ameraucana, a chicken breed often confused with the Easter Eggers, was officially accepted as a standard breed by the American Poultry Association in 1984. They are similar to the Araucana chickens primarily because of their pea combs and blue-colored eggs, though both are quite from different breeds. Although initially thought to have been developed in the United States, this breed is still often classified under "All Other" as place of origin. The term Ameraucana is a portmanteau of Araucana and American.

The Ameraucanas come in two varieties - large and bantam, and eight officially recognized colors - Black, White, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Silver, Brown Red and Buff. There are several project colors though which include Lavender. Ameraucana traits include full tails, beards and muffs and either black or slate legs depending on the variety. For bantams, cocks usually weigh 30 ounces while the hens, 26 ounces. Large fowl cocks, on the other hand, weigh 6 1/2 pounds while the hens weigh 5 1/2 pounds.