Did you know Americana chickens lay blue eggs? Learn everything you need to know about Ameraucana and Americana chickens, with helpful tips on temperament, care, and egg-laying in this comprehensive guide!
What are Americana Chickens?
Americana chickens are an interesting breed, given that they aren’t really a breed at all. They’re a hybrid, mixed chicken known for their uniquely colored eggs – also known as Easter Eggers. Americana chickens aren’t officially recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA), but they’re said to be one of the most popular backyard chickens in the United States!
Americana chicks are a cross between two chicken breeds, typically an Araucana or Ameraucana, and another breed. Both Araucana and Ameraucana chickens lay blue eggs, so the offspring of this crossbreed will also lay blue/green eggs. This is what makes Americanas, or Easter Eggers, so unique and sought after by chicken owners.
Other than Americana or Easter Eggers, you’ll also hear them be called Americano, Americauna, and Americanauna chickens, which can get a bit confusing. They all refer to the same type of chicken, just with slightly different spelling variations.
However, one name that’s often used interchangeably with Americana is the Ameraucana chicken. The Ameraucana chicken is a recognized breed but has very similar characteristics to the Americana, which means they’re often put into the same category.
Americana vs Ameraucana Chicks
The APA recognizes Ameraucana chickens as a breed, while Americana chickens aren’t. Ameraucanas also have specific characteristics, such as their color specifications. On the other hand, Americanas can have varying appearances since they’re a hybrid of different breeds.
What they do have in common is what makes them stand out in a flock – their colorful eggs! Both Americanas and Ameraucanas lay blue/green eggs, feature small combs and puffy cheek feathers, and have a friendly, docile temperament.
Even though the naming and heritage can get confusing, Americana and Ameraucana chickens make great backyard chickens for beginners or families with children.
What do Ameraucana Chicks look like?
Ameraucanas are beautiful birds with a red pea comb and small, red earlobes. Their faces always have a beard and muffs, which can come in various shades, including black, blue, and white. They also have a U-shaped body (upright neck and tail) and are a smaller chicken breed, weighing around 5.5-6.5 pounds for the large fowl and 1.7-1.9 pounds for the bantam size.
As for Ameraucana chicks, they have a fuzzy appearance and can have light or gray-colored legs. Their chick down (feathers) can often give a good indication of what color their adult feathers will be.
Ameraucana Chicken Colors
Between the APA and the American Bantam Association (ABA), there are ten recognized color variations for Ameraucana chickens.
Ameraucana Chicken Color Chart
Black | Consistent black feathers | Slate or black legs |
Blue | Blue/gray feathers with black tips | Slate or black legs |
Blue wheaten | Mostly white, with brown/wheaten feathers on the tail, wings, and head | Slate legs |
Brown red | Dark brown, rust-colored feathers | Slate or black legs |
Buff | Consistent golden/tan feathers | Light gray legs |
Self-blue (also known as Lavender) | Consistent blue/gray feathers | Slate or black legs |
Silver | Light and dark gray feathers | Slate or black legs |
Wheaten | Tan/wheat colored with darker tail, head, and wing feathers | Slate legs |
White | Consistent white feathers | Light gray legs |
Splash | White/muted gray feathers, with black/blue speckles | Light gray legs |
Americana Rooster
The Americana rooster is larger than the hen, with an upright, robust body and long tail feathers. As Americanas are hybrids, the color variations of the rooster can depend on the specific crossbreed.
Both Americana and Ameraucana roosters can be good protectors of their flock, and I’ve not met one yet that I would consider mean or aggressive. However, like any animal, there can be exceptions to this. It all depends on their individual personalities and how they’re raised.
Ameraucana Chickens Temperament
I can confidently say that Ameraucanas are a friendly, active, and docile breed. They generally do well with other breeds and even with children if socialized properly! They prefer free-ranging but can adapt to confinement with a spacious coop and run. Ameraucanas are also excellent foragers, so they will happily spend time scratching around in the yard looking for bugs and treats.
I will say they can be a little flighty and skittish. You can try to avoid this by handling them often and getting them used to human interaction from a young age. The same goes for Americana chicks, as they’re very similar breeds.
Pros and Cons to having Americana Chickens
If you’re thinking about adding Americana or Ameraucana chickens to your flock, here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
- They lay beautiful blue/green eggs
- They have unique plumage patterns and colors
- They’re friendly and docile
- Great chickens for families
- Good foragers
- Decent layers
- Can tolerate hot and cold weather well
Cons:
- Can be a bit flighty
- Need space to roam and forage
- Can be prone to cross-beak
- Not ideal for meat production
Ameraucana Chicken Eggs
Ameraucanas tend to take a little longer to mature and start laying eggs than other breeds. On average, they start laying around 6-7 months of age. You can expect around 4 eggs per week, and they lay consistently throughout the year. 150-200 medium to large eggs per year are common with Ameraucanas.
Ameraucana Chicken Egg Color
This has to be the number one reason people are drawn to Ameraucana chickens – their stunning blue eggs! This is due to the breed’s genetics, as they carry a gene that causes them to produce eggs with a blue tint.
The shade of blue can vary from bird to bird, with some producing eggs with a greenish hue, but they’re undeniably unique and eye-catching!
Ameraucana vs Easter Egger
Here’s where Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers can start to differ. Ameraucana eggs are blue, while Easter Eggers can lay various colors – blue, green, brown, pink, etc. Each Easter Egger will only ever lay one egg color for their whole life, but that color can vary between birds.
Aside from Americanas, which lay blue/green eggs like Ameraucanas, another notable Easter Egger is the Olive Egger – a hybrid between a blue egg layer and a dark brown egg layer, resulting in olive-colored eggs.
Americana Chick tips
Thinking of adding some Americana chicks to your flock? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Give them plenty of space: These chickens need room to roam and exercise, so make sure they have plenty of space to do so. Let them free-range if possible, or ensure they have ample space in their coop and run.
- Check for lice often: Any chicken with beards and muffs is more prone to lice/mite infestations. Give them regular check-ups and treat them as needed. A mite-repellent spray can also be helpful.
- Provide plenty of fresh water: Make sure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times. For adult Americanas, you can use a slightly raised waterer to help keep their beards and muffs dry.
- Consider what other breeds you own: If you plan on adding Americanas to your existing flock, consider the temperament and size of your other birds. These chickens do well with other docile, friendly breeds.
- Look out for cross-beak: This is when the top and bottom of a chicken’s beak don’t align properly, making it difficult for them to eat. Keep an eye out for this in young Americana chicks – they’ll need special care and attention.
- Provide quality feed: Even though they’ll forage for some of their food, always supplement this with high-quality feed.
- Give a safe place to rest: As with every breed, a safe place to rest and roost is important. Line the coop with soft, absorbent bedding and clean it out regularly.
Ameraucana Eggs FAQs
Americanas, like other Easter Eggers, typically start laying eggs at around 5-7 months old. However, this can vary depending on the individual chicken and their environment.
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