Ameraucana

Its placid, easy-going nature and colorful eggs have made the Ameraucana popular among backyard keepers. Because of its calm temperament, it is a great breed for beginners in the chicken world! The breed is closely related to the South American Rumpless Tufted Araucana, which has no tail. Breeding these two types has proven difficult, because the genes that produce the two breeds' unusual ear tufts (and a lack of tail on the Rumpless Araucana) also boost mortality in young chicks.

PRIMARY USE: eggs and meat

TEMPERAMENT: docile

RECOGNIZED VARIETIES: Blue, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Blue Wheaten, Wheaten, Black, White

EGG PRODUCTION: great

EGG SIZE: large

EGG COLOR: green, pink, blue, tinted

HEN WEIGHT: 6 lbs.

COCK WEIGHT: 8 lbs.

BROODY: sometimes

COLD HARDY: yes