The Ameraucana chicken is an American domestic chicken breed which was developed in the United States in the 1970s. This breed was developed by a few people who were trying to standardize the Araucana breed.
The Ameraucana was bred from chickens from a South American country (Chile) that carried the blue egg gene. And was bred to maintain the blue colored eggs of that breed while eliminating the lethal recessive gene.
A breeder’s club was formed in 1976 which is now called the Ameraucana Breeders Club. There is also a bantam variety of Ameraucana chicken.
Ameraucana Chicken Characteristics
Ameraucana chicken lay blue colored eggs. And it is one of the chicken breeds which lay blue colored eggs. The Ameraucana chickens have may similarities to the Araucana chickens. The main similarities are the pea comb and the blue egg gene.
The Araucana is rumpless and has earmuffs. And the Ameraucana chicken has a tail and is bearded and muffed. The wattles of this chicken breed is small or absent, the earlobes are small and round. The color of comb, earlobes and wattles are all red.
The shanks are slate-blue, tending to black in the Black variety. Ameraucana chicken breed is viewed as a variety of Araucana in UK and Australia. On an average, a standard Ameraucana male weights about 3kg and a female weights about 2.5kg. And the male and female of bantam variety weight between 740g-850g.
Ameraucana hens lay blue eggs in various shades. The recognized colors of Ameraucana chicken are Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten and White.
Uses
Ameraucana is a dual purpose chicken breed. It is good for both meat and eggs production purpose.
Behavior/Temperament
Ameraucana chickens are friendly and can be fun. Their personalities can vary widely from bird to bird. Probably because they are mixed-breed.
| Breed Name | Ameraucana |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Dual Purpose |
| Breed Temperament | Aggressive, Bears confinement well, Calm, Friendly, Fighty, Curious, Gentle |
| Breed Size | Heavy (5.5-6.5 lbs) |
| Broodiness | Average (not very broody) |
| Comb | Pea |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates (cold hardy) |
| Egg Color | Blue in various shades |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Egg Productivity | About 3 eggs per week |
| Feathered Legs | No |
| Rarity | Common (ture Ameraucanas are rare) |
| Varieties | Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten and White |
Pros/Advantages
- Cold hardy
- Curious
- Gentle
- Nice voice
- Varied personalities
- Pretty good layers
- Lay blue colored eggs in various shades
- Good for both confined and free range system
- Good forager
Cons/Disadvantages
- Jumpy
- Some dislikes being held
- Very shy
Is Ameraucana Good for You?
The Ameraucana chicken is good for you if you…….
- Want to have friendly chickens.
- Want to raise some chickens which are good foragers.
- Love to produce blue colored eggs in various shades.
- Want to raise gentle, curious chickens with various personalities.
