The Araucana chickens are the breed liable for the blue egg craze, and sadly, many rooster lovers confuse this quirky rooster with the Ameraucana and the Easter Egger.
It’s comprehensible, nonetheless, since these three varieties of chickens all lay colourful eggs—primarily blue.
Due to the rarity of this breed, the Araucana is difficult to come back by in america. Many hatcheries have chosen to not breed them resulting from hatch fee points which can be brought on by genetics.
Most blue egg layers offered by hatcheries are the Easter Egger or the Ameraucana.
So, if you’re wanting so as to add the Araucana breed to your flock, you’ll almost certainly have to seek the advice of with a breeder who’s engaged on creating the breed.
The Araucana a Blue Egg Layer
Whereas the Easter Egger and the Ameraucana each lay beautiful colourful eggs, they’re really simply hybrids of the Araucana.
Within the Nineteen Thirties, the Araucana discovered its approach from Chile to america and into the hearts of rooster lovers.
It wasn’t till the 70’s that they have been acknowledged by the APA and have become well-liked amongst the yard rooster house owners throughout the previous 5 to 10 years.
Those that love a rainbow-colored assortment of eggs undoubtedly have added the Araucana to their flock.
The looks of the Araucana
The Araucana is just not distinctive simply due to her egg coloration—she additionally has distinctive bodily traits that many well-liked breeds lack.
For one, she has an upright stance and resembles some species of untamed sport birds. Her again slopes towards her backside half, giving her the posture she is well-known for.
When you aren’t certain if you’re an Araucana or an Easter Egger, search for two telltale traits (or lack thereof) that may almost certainly point out you might be within the presence of a
South American rooster treasure:
Tufts
Tufts are the comical feathers that protrude from the Araucana’s cheeks. They develop beneath a fold of pores and skin beneath their ears and may stick out like a gentleman’s handlebar mustache.
These tufts often are available two (one on both sides) however not all the time. They might additionally tackle personalities of their very own by rising each which approach attainable.
One factor is for certain, although. They add a ton of character to your Araucana’s look.
No Tail (rumpless)
Rumpless principally means what you may assume it to imply…they don’t have any rumps! Or in different phrases, they lack the lengthy tail feathers that different breeds of chickens have.
This attribute additionally contributes to the looks of the Araucana’s upright posture—a really telling trait.
These two traits give this rooster a singular and extremely sought look—effectively, that and their beautiful eggs, in fact!
Sadly, the very gene creates the comedic tufts that trigger many chicks to die throughout incubation.
This is the reason many hatcheries don’t carry the Araucana rooster…so, if you’re in search of your individual frizzy-looking rumpless chickens, this is the reason you could have to hunt out a devoted breeder.
So far as typical rooster traits go, Araucanas have pea combs, which lay nearer to the rooster’s head, in contrast to massive floppy combs.
Upon shut inspection, little pea-like protrusions are current on the Araucanas comb.
The Araucana is a clean-legged rooster, in contrast to the Brahma rooster, and the colour of their legs might range relying upon the colour of the rooster.
The Araucana is available in black, crimson, silver duck wing, white, and golden duck wing. The darker-colored kinds of this rooster might have black or blue legs.
Araucana Rooster Dimension
Araucanas are thought-about smaller-sized normal chickens. That means they’re larger than bantams however smaller than Brahma’s (the king of chickens).
An Araucana will usually weigh in at round 5 lbs. Nevertheless, they are often present in a bantam selection, however provided that you look arduous for them as a result of normal and bantam sizes are each thought-about uncommon finds.
Whereas the Araucana is taken into account on the small finish of the spectrum, curiously, they develop pretty quick.
When you increase multiple breed of rooster, you’ll rapidly discover that your Araucanas are likely to develop out of their awkward teenage years before their counterparts.
Egg Laying of the Araucana
Since Araucanas are on the smaller facet, they don’t seem to be splendid as meat birds, however what they lack in meat makes up for stunning blue eggs.
Regardless that hens are smaller, their eggs are medium-sized and excellent in your Easter basket, and hey, you don’t even have to paint them!
At a fee of roughly 3 eggs per week, the Araucana is just not essentially meant for manufacturing, however she will actually earn her maintain.
Nevertheless, as a result of this plucky hen originated within the hotter climates of South America, she does are likely to take the winters off from laying.
Irrespective of, she will probably be again at it as soon as the climate warms up and simply in time for Spring egg hunts with the youngsters.
Araucana Temperament
The jury is out on the temperament of the Araucana. Some lovers say they’re the friendliest chickens they’ve ever owned, whereas others swear that they’re flighty and nervous.
Excessive power might not all the time equate to unfriendly chickens, so it would simply rely upon who you discuss to and the way they selected to work together with their Araucanas.
A fast web search will reveal that these devoted to creating this breed have solely loving interactions with their Araucanas.
Many breeders will let you know that they’re nice chickens for the youngsters as a result of they really get pleasure from being cuddled and dealt with.
Broodiness
Araucana hens are likely to go broody often and simply.
This implies they occur to get pleasure from elevating their very own little clutch of chicks, and in case you plan to breed these birds, leaving the mom hen to do her job will make the method simpler for you.
Simply keep in mind that the hatch fee is fairly low for the Araucana, so don’t be discouraged if just a few infants hatch.
And on that observe, if momma hen has been broody for a very long time, is dropping pounds, and searching somewhat tough, it could be time to assist her transfer on from any eggs that haven’t hatched.
Araucana Rooster Breed is Hardy
The Araucana is surprisingly hardy throughout the winter.
Regardless that these chickens originated in hotter climates, they do significantly effectively within the chilly. Having a pea comb makes frostbite unusual.
In the identical line, Araucanas can deal with the recent climate simply as simply. They’re adaptive chickens that actually appear to glide, irrespective of the place they dwell.
Free-Vary
Araucanas are significantly curious and lively chickens, and so they like to spend their days scratching about for tasty treats. They’re savvy chickens who maintain their eyes peeled for predators and do their greatest to remain out of hurt’s approach.
It’s been famous that Araucanas are likely to journey a bit greater than a typical rooster, and so they get pleasure from taking the identical route every day.
So, in case your neighbors aren’t in love with chickens, be sure to maintain your chickens in a fenced yard as a result of as soon as they work out the place the great things is, they’ll maintain going again for extra!
Araucanas are a particular breed that’s extremely wanted resulting from their shiny blue eggs and enjoyable traits.
Whereas Easter Eggers and Ameraucanas additionally lay colourful eggs, the Araucana constantly produces these stunning robins-egg blue eggs.
If their beautiful eggs don’t have you ever offered on the breed, their comical bodily look actually will. Who doesn’t love somewhat character of their flock?
READ NEXT: Easter Egger: The whole lot You Want To Know About This Rooster
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