Araucanas are eye-catching chickens that always leave an impression in or outside the coop. These uniquely feathered blue egg laying beauties sure know how to stand out in a world cluck-full of all kinds of pretty poultry.
Interestingly, Araucanas are also known in the UK, Europe and Australia as Ameraucana chickens whereas in the US they are known as a different breed and a close relative to the Araucanas.
Ameraucanas were accepted by the American Poultry Association in 1984 and its bantam version was accepted in 1979.
From their energetic personalities to their distinctive featherings, there is simply nothing ordinary about Araucana chickens - these girls were made to stand out! Stick your beak into the five reasons we absolutely love these outstanding athletic Araucana chickens.
Active Backyard Adventurers
Active, boisterous and naturally curious Araucana chickens are born free-rangers who love to explore their backyard. Though some Araucana chickens can tolerate confinement most prefer to throw caution to the wind and flap their wings in the great outdoors. If you’re a chicken lover who lives on a farm or acreage Araucanas will make an eggcellent addition to your flock. These adventurous ladies like to graze upon the plentiful bounty of treats that can be discovered all across nature’s buffet - grubs, insects, worms and other wiggly wonders, Araucana chickens can find a menu full of tasty treats in the natural world. So, if you’ve been daydreaming about keeping these active avian athletes than make sure you have plenty of space to accommodate their far reaching curious minds and bodies.
For more information on how to create the perfect free-range environment for your flock, simply click here.
Mind Expanding Blue Eggs
Blue eggs! That’s right, Araucana chickens do indeed lay psychedelic blue eggs. These colourful girls are avant garde artists when it comes to egg laying. Though some varieties of Araucana chickens can lay eggs that range from blue, to bluegreen, to more of an olive colour, at the end of the day these birds are sure to produce an interesting coloured egg sensation. Typically, Araucana chickens only lay during the warmer summer and spring months however they are often quick to return to work after their winter breaks. On average Araucana chickens lay between 150 to 180 strikingly vibrant eggs per year. Some people believe that blue Araucana eggs actually contain less cholesterol however this has been debunked by scientists for many years. Nevertheless, their tasty and lively eggs will always leave a lasting impression.
Find out more about the different varieties of eggs and the chickens that lay them by simply clicking here.
Always Mature for their Age
One of the most interesting quirks about Araucana chickens is that their chicks, once hatched, grow into mature chooks faster than other breeds of chickens. Baby Araucana chicks will begin to grow mature feathers faster than other breeds like Orpingtons, ISA Browns and Rhode Island Reds. Due to the tuft gene the successful hatch rate of baby chicks is sadly quite low however once they are born their speedy maturation keeps them in good stead. So, definitely keep these trustworthy birds in mind if you need a mature old soul to join your flock.
If you want to find out more about the first 60 days with baby chickens, Araucana or otherwise, simply click here.
A Chicken That is a People Person
Araucana / Ameraucana chickens are amazingly amiable when it comes to being kissed, cuddled and doted upon by their chook mad owners. These unique chooks are exceptionally friendly when it comes to handsy Chicken Ladies and Lads who like to get up close and personal with their girls. Araucana chickens are energetic yet friendly by nature making them perfect for families that need a lively pet that can keep up with their young kids. Just open up the chicken coop and watch your flock and little ones graze together across the rolling acres of your property. Be warned though, Araucana chickens prefer spacious backyards and their spirits can’t always be contained to a suburban backyard where they may become restless or depressed.
Discover more family friendly breeds by simply clicking here.
Tough Birds Once they Come Out of their Shells
Hatching baby Araucana chicks can be a little troublesome due to the tuft gene that sadly results in a high mortality rate. That’s why Araucana chickens are normally only available through breeders as opposed to hatcheries, as the distress caused from unsuccessfully hatching these beautiful birds can become overwhelming. Though this breed type is considered ‘rare’ that doesn’t mean these girls are delicate. Once Araucanas chickens are hatched and fully grown these girls are as tough as nails. Araucana chickens can endure cold winters and hot summers with relative ease. They are athletic and confident birds that love to have a sticky beak and explore nature.
Unmask more hardy chicken breeds that can weather harsh conditions by clicking here.
From their blue eggs to their active yet amiable personalities, Araucana chickens are definitely a breed of chook you won’t forget in a hurry. Distinctive, original and quirky these unique wonder chooks will make the perfect addition to any flock that has a large backyard to flap around in. Chickens with personality need a coop with character, that’s why every aspiring chook owner needs to have a sticky beak at our terrific Taj Mahal, perfect Penthouse and marvelous Mansion - all of which will make the perfect home for any breed of chicken.
From stunning Ameraucana chickens to cute Cochins, there are so many breeds to consider when starting your own flock. It can be eggstremely overwhelming to find the perfect breeds for you and your family. From looks, to personality, to egg-laying talents - where should you begin?
Cluckily, our friends over at Chickenpedia have created an amazing Chicken Breeds Course. This extensive online course shares useful advice on choosing the right chickens for you as well as size & frequency of eggs laid. You’ll even learn about their individual personalities, and be able to use their family-friendly compatibility scale through this well-structured program. It really is a great way to find your perfect backyard buddies which is why I highly recommend them to all of my readers! The courses are beginner-friendly and filled with vital information to help you raise a happy, healthy flock.
As chicken keepers, we want to do an eggcellent job when caring for our feathered friends. Unfortunately, many of us struggle to handle chicken health or behaviour issues, especially in the first few years of having a flock. Chickenpedia have a full range of comprehensive online courses that cover everything you didn’t know you need to know and then some more! From healthcare to raising baby chicks to feeding and behavior, get the knowledge and confidence to successfully look after your chickens.
As a member, you will get access to ALL their fantastic courses. So, no need to wing it, become a confident chicken keeper. Click here to check out Chickenpedia today!