What's The Difference Between The Easter Egger And The Ameraucana?

The difference between the Americana and the Easter Egger

Ameraucana vs Easter Egger, What’s The Difference? #blueeggs

Raising blue egg-laying chickens can add a captivating touch to your flock, enriching your egg collection with a spectrum of hues. However, discerning between various blue egg-laying breeds often leads to confusion. Hence, understanding the distinction between Easter Eggers and Ameraucanas becomes essential. Let's delve into these avian disparities to assist you in selecting the ideal breed for your flock. Here at The Chicken Man we have pure breed chickens that lay blue eggs in Weatherford TX and Parker County. #weatherford #mineralwells

Where Does The Ameraucana Come From?

The initial blue egg-laying breed introduced to the United States during the 1930s bore resemblance to what we now recognize as Ameraucanas. It exhibited a pea comb and some facial feathering variations. However, when the American Poultry Association (APA) began recognizing the breed, the standard called for tufts but excluded beards and rumplessness. Consequently, many birds with similar comb styles, egg colors, and feathering to Araucanas no longer met the breed standards due to lacking rumplessness or possessing beards and muffs. Subsequently, a new breed emerged in the 1980s: the American Ameraucana. Egg laying hens in Mineral Wells.

The Ameraucana breed encompasses eight distinct color variations: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, and White. They consistently lay blue eggs, typically around 3-4 per week, and tend to be of medium to large size. Ameraucanas breed true, enabling sustainable reproduction to meet breed standards within a home flock.

As per the Ameraucana Breeders Club (ABC) color chart, Ameraucanas can lay shades of green eggs. Although not preferred, the presence of green eggs does not imply impurity in Ameraucanas.

Is An Easter Egger a Pure Breed Or A Hybrid?

The American Poultry Association (APA) does not officially recognize the Easter Egger as a distinct breed, lacking a defined standard of perfection. Easter Eggers display a variety of feather patterns, comb types, leg colors, and egg hues, with most laying blue eggs. While many Easter Eggers produce blue eggs, some carry the genetic potential to lay green, olive, tan, or cream-colored eggs. In contrast to Ameraucanas, considered "purebred," Easter Eggers are akin to "designer hybrids."

When deliberating between Easter Eggers and Ameraucanas for your flock, consider their respective roles. If seeking a sustainable blue egg layer suitable for poultry exhibitions, the Ameraucana proves an excellent choice. However, Easter Eggers, while equally amiable and affectionate, typically yield slightly larger eggs at a lower cost per chick. Ordering Easter Eggers offers a diverse array of feather patterns and traits, adding visual variety to your farm. The primary distinction lies in the assurance of blue egg production and the ability to maintain adherence to APA standards for Ameraucanas, albeit at a higher price point for chicks. Easter Egger hens in Mineral Wells.