Do you plan to buy the Ameraucana eggs? Well, you will need to know about this beautiful bird. These are one of the rarest chickens, mainly because of their feather color and eyes.
These charming birds are magnificent and known mainly because of their beautiful blue eggs. Well, there’s not one reason why these are so popular but many. The comical and puffy cheeks have mainly contributed to the popularity.
The Ameraucana egg colors are indeed the crowd-pleaser. Many people use these for various reasons, and one of the main reasons is the cheerful spirit of the bird. Their well-rounded traits make them one of the most beautiful birds.
About the Ameraucana Eggs
The Ameraucana colors are extremely beautiful, which is one of the main reasons why so many people pet them. The name is derived from the Araucana, the breed that originally belongs to Chile. They were developed around 1970 in America because they aimed to remove all the lethal genes from the Araucana.
The lethal genes tend to consume the ear tufts, thereby causing several problems. This further increases the death rate. The hatch rate is pretty low as that of Araucanas. The Ameraucana is indeed an excellent alternative for Araucanas as they retain the same color and varieties. According to the American Standard of Perfection, there are around eight different colors of Ameraucanas such as brown, red, silver, blue, blue wheaten, wheaten, black and white.
The Ameraucana chicken’s color further influences the color of eggs as well.
What are the characteristics of Ameraucana?
As stated, the Ameraucana colors are available in a wide range. The color further influences the characteristics as well. The characteristics share similarities with Araucana, but there are specific differences to be taken care of.
The common characteristics of Ameraucana include the following.
Size and weight
The size and weight of the bird is an essential factor to consider. While the male weighs around 5.5-6.6 pounds, the female bird weight usually ranges from 4.4-5.5 pounds.
They aren’t necessarily large birds, so that they wouldn’t serve the purpose of the dual breed. Moreover, they are comfortable, which is why you wouldn’t need to worry about the size. They can easily hold their flock.
Production
These chickens aren’t designed to lay eggs every day. When you don’t want too many eggs, you can decorate the package with a beautiful blue Ameraucana egg. As per the general statement, the Ameraucana birds lay around three to four eggs each week.
Ideal climate
Climate has never been a concern for the growth of these chickens. These birds have a pea comb which is why they are an excellent choice for cold weather. They can, however, sustain in warm weather too.
Nonetheless, if the bird has a large comb, it may be challenging to remove excess heat. It is necessary to consider the hot and humid climate as well because then it would be problematic.
Temperament
Ameraucana is a very calm bird. Although they may not be cuddly, they aren’t flighty as well. Nonetheless, they aren’t aggressive as well and can turn out to be extremely polite. In some instances, these can get broody, which is why you will need to be careful. They can turn out to be protective as well if they’re incredibly broody too.
Do these Ameraucana chickens lay eggs every day?
On average, the Ameraucana chickens lay 3-6 eggs per week. The number of eggs they lay will, however, entirely depend on diet and environment. It would help if you considered the high-quality layer feed for the chicken and eventually provide them with a high amount of calcium and proteins.
The Ameraucana chicken should have a proper diet. But, if they do not have the same, it is necessary to proceed with the feed accordingly. There is a wide range of diet and nutrient options for the chicken. Lack of diet can, however, prevent the eggs from laying sufficient numbers of eggs.
At what age do these chickens lay eggs?
The chickens start laying eggs around the age of 6-7 months. Nonetheless, at what age these chickens lay eggs will also depend on a wide range of factors, such as weather, age, time of the year, and more. Chickens who reach seven months may not be able to lay eggs during the freezing season. This is mainly because these chickens need a proper amount of sunlight to lay eggs.
Once your chicken starts laying eggs, you should consider feeding them with sufficient calcium. If you want beautiful eggs, you need to wait. Moreover, breeders suggest that one needs to be very careful with Ameraucana eggs. This is mostly because if the chicken is under stress while laying eggs, it won’t be beautiful. Stress can also prevent hens from laying eggs.
The Ameraucana egg color is what makes it popular such as the gorgeous blue color. They are indeed one of the healthiest eggs to consume with their rich flavor and low cholesterol.
Are there any alternatives?
No doubt, Ameraucana chickens are extremely beautiful, but there are alternatives as well. This is mostly because these may not be the perfect choice for you in many cases. Some of the common alternatives of Ameraucana chicken include the following.
Easter eggs
Easter eggs share a lot of similarities with Ameraucana hens mostly because of physical features. Furthermore, they are easier to find and that too at an affordable rate. Even with the Easter eggs, you can get a wide range of colorful eggs.
Legbars
These are slightly hard to find, but you can eventually find these regions with hot climates. They have a single comb which allows them to remain cool even on hot days. Nonetheless, the leg bars also lay beautiful eggs like that of Ameraucana.
Salmon Faverolles
If you want a hen with the same feature but not blue eggs, Salmon Faverolles are the best choice. They sport feathered legs along with adorable muffs and beards.
Takeaway
You may want to choose the Ameraucana eggs and then proceed accordingly. It is advisable to consider the quality and colors of eggs.