The Ameraucana chicken breed is highly desired for its beautiful blue eggs. But beyond their egg color, Ameraucanas have a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from other backyard chicken breeds. In this article, we’ll give a complete visual guide to what an Ameraucana chicken looks like so you can easily identify them.
Ameraucana Breed History
The Ameraucana breed originated in America in the 1970s from breeding efforts to consolidate blue egg laying chickens. The parent stock that contributed genetics to the Ameraucana included Araucanas, Easter Eggers, and several other blue egg layers.
By the 1980s, the Ameraucana breed was stabilized and became officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1984. Today, it’s one of the most popular blue egg laying breeds raised in backyards across North America.
Distinctive Ameraucana Features
Here are the key physical features that distinguish Ameraucanas from other chicken breeds:
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Pea comb: Ameraucanas have a small cushion comb low on the head, referred to as a pea comb. This gives them an advantage in cold weather climates compared to large combed breeds.
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Muffs and beard: Ameraucanas have muffs of feathers that cover the earlobes and a beard of feathers under the beak. The muff and beard give the head a very distinctive look.
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U-shaped body: Ameraucanas have a unique upright posture and tail. The tail stands vertically rather than horizontally, giving the body a U-shape.
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Slate blue legs: The shanks and toes of Ameraucanas are slate blue in color rather than the typical yellow seen in many breeds. Some may also have black legs.
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Five toes: Ameraucanas have an extra toe compared to the typical four toes seen in most chickens. The presence of five toes instead of four is a defining Ameraucana trait.
Recognized Ameraucana Color Varieties
The Ameraucana breed comes in nine recognized color varieties according to the APA breed standard:
- Black
- Blue Wheaten
- Brown Red
- Buff
- Silver
- Wheaten
- White
- Blue
- Splash
Of these color varieties, black is by far the most common seen in backyard flocks. But all share the same general Ameraucana conformation and features described above.
Ameraucana Hen vs Rooster Differences
There are some subtle differences between Ameraucana hens and roosters
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Size: Roosters are slightly larger, averaging 6.5 lbs compared to 5.5 lbs for hens.
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Tail feathers: Roosters have longer, more pointed sickle feathers in the tail compared to rounded feathers in hens.
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Comb/wattles Combs and wattles are slightly larger in roosters.
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Crowing: Roosters crow while hens do not. Though hens may crow on occasion if they have high testosterone levels.
Other than these differences hens and roosters share the same overall visual features. They are not sexually dimorphic like some chicken breeds where males and females look distinctly different.
Confusing Breeds
Two breeds that are sometimes confused with Ameraucanas are Araucanas and Easter Eggers:
Araucanas lack a tail and have ear tufts rather than muffs and beards. They also have a pea comb like Ameraucanas but lay more blue-tinted eggs.
Easter Eggers are a mixed breed that lays a variety of colored eggs, including blue. But unlike purebred Ameraucanas, they lack many defining Ameraucana breed characteristics.
So using the visual traits described in this guide will help you accurately identify Ameraucanas and not confuse them with other similar breeds. The blue egg color combined with the pea comb, muff/beard, and slate blue legs are the giveaway signs that you’re looking at an Ameraucana chicken.
Ameraucana Chicks
Ameraucana chicks look similar to adults but on a smaller, fuzzier scale. They have stripes and spots for camouflage, peach fuzzy bodies, and typically bright yellow legs. Their distinctive features like the pea comb and muff don’t fully develop until 4-6 weeks of age.
You’ll be able to identify Ameraucana chicks based on their parent stock, or by purchasing them from a hatchery that specializes in purebred chickens. Unlike adult Ameraucanas, chicks cannot be identified by looks alone.
Summary
- Pea comb
- Muffs and beard
- Slate blue legs
- Five toes
- U-shaped stance
- Upright, vertical tail
Their beautiful blue eggs set them apart from other backyard chicken breeds. And their distinctive features like the pea comb and muff make Ameraucanas easy to visually identify once you know what to look for. So next time you come across a blue egg layer, check for these Ameraucana characteristics to determine if you’re looking at a purebred specimen.
Americana vs Ameraucana Chicks
The APA recognizes Ameraucana chickens as a breed, while Americana chickens arent. Ameraucanas also have specific characteristics, such as their color specifications. On the other hand, Americanas can have varying appearances since theyre 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.
Pros and Cons to having Americana Chickens
If youre 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
- Theyre 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
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 Chickens: Your Ultimate Guide to the Breed that Lays Blue Eggs!
FAQ
What color eggs do Ameraucana chickens lay?
Ameraucana chickens lay blue eggs. The blue pigment, called oocyanin, colors the entire shell, both inside and outside.
What are the disadvantages of Ameraucana chickens?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Blue eggs | Average egg production |
| Don’t often go broody | Mature slower than the average chicken |
| Good with kids | Don’t do too well when they can’t free range regularly |
| Good in hot and cold temperatures | Sometimes hard to find a “true” Ameraucana chicken |
What does a true Ameraucana chicken look like?
One of the Ameraucana’s most distinctive features is their fluffy face feathers. They are one of the only breeds with both beards and muffs. A chicken beard is feathers on the upper throat. Chicken muffs are feathers that project away from the face.
How to tell a true Ameraucana chicken?
He has four big signs: Long tapered cowl (neck) feathers, Long tapered saddle feathers, his tail feathers are long and starting to curl (hens are typically shorter and straighter) and the super-duper dark rusty colored feathers in his shoulders.