Araucana chicken is a very beautiful breed and also known for their ability to lay colored eggs. It’s a rare breed with much controversy and numerous challenges.
The origin of the Araucana is still up for debate, however many believe they originated in Chile. The ability to lay blue eggs was the main reason for breeding Araucana chicken.
It is often considered as a dual purpose chicken breed which is suitable for both eggs production and for meat. There are many color varieties of this breed. The American Poultry Association recognizes five colors.
Black, Black Breasted Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing and White. In the United States it may be known as the South American Rumpless. And Araucana chicken has similarities with other chickens, especially the Ameraucana and Easter Egger.
Characteristics of Araucana Chicken
Araucana chickens have two distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from the other breeds. They have tufts and are rumpless (have no tail and the complete absence of a tail bone).
Their tufts grow from a protuberance (or fingerlike appendage) called a peduncle around the ear lobes or neck area. They have pea comb, have no wattles and their facial feathers are thick with small crest on the head. Most commonly their eggs are of blue and green colored.
But the egg color can also range from a greyish or violet blue to a turquoise or greenish blue. Different standards have different color variations and have special characteristics. In the United States and Canada, muffs, beards, and tails are all disqualifications.
On an average Araucana roosters weight about 2.7-3.2 kg and hens weights about 2.3-2.7 kg. There is also a bantam variety available of this breed (roosters 740-850 grams and 680-790 grams for hens). Photo from Wikipedia.
Behavior/Temperament
Araucana chickens are very strong, grow faster and chicks mature quickly. They are placid birds and are vigorous and hardy. Araucana hens tend towards broodiness and they are excellent mothers. They do well in confined condition. They like to have fresh grass.
The colorful eggs of Araucana chicken do not have any negative health effects, nor more nutritious than eggs of other colors. But it’s reported that their blue/green eggs are lower in cholesterol than other eggs. See full breed profile below.
| Breed Name | Araucana |
| Other Name | Also Known as South American Rumpless |
| Breed Purpose | Dual Purpose |
| Breed Temperament | Friendly, Flighty, Very Active, Quiet, Bears Confinement Well |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Broodiness | Broody & Hens are Great Mothers |
| Comb | Pea |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Egg Color | Blue/Green |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Egg Productivity | Medium |
| Feathered Legs | No |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Varieties | The APA recognizes five colors. Black, Black Breasted Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing and White. |
The Good
- Beautiful
- Unique appearance
- Colorful eggs
- Good dual purpose breed
- Very friendly
- Hardy and active
- Chicks are hardy and grow faster
- Bears confinement well
- Good foragers
- Hens are great mothers
The Bad
- Flighty
- Hard to find pure breed
- The lethal tuft gene that results in some productivity issues.
Is Araucana Chicken Good for You?
Araucana chicken is good for you if you…….
- Want to raise beautiful chickens.
- Are looking for some chicken breeds which have unique appearance.
- Want to produce colorful eggs except white and brown.
- Want to raise dual purpose chicken breed.
- Are searching some chicken breeds which are very active, hardy and friendly.
- Want to raise some chickens which are good foragers and also bears confinement well.
- Are looking for such chickens which can hatch eggs and take care of their chicks.
