Ameraucana
Purpose: egg production
Egg Production: 3-4 / wk
Egg Color: blue
Origin: United States
Heritage breed: Yes
The Ameraucana is growing in popularity among backyard chicken owners who love its light blue egg. This breed likely has its roots in Chile, where the gene for blue-shelled eggs goes back hundreds of years. The Ameraucana was developed in the U.S. as an amalgamation of several breeds with the specific intent of producing a blue egg. The Ameraucana is a medium-sized breed that features a beard and cheek muffs. The varieties recognized as heritage breeds are black, blue, blue wheaten, brown red, buff, self blue, silver, wheaten and white. If you select the Ameraucana (or any blue egg layer) specifically for egg color, be sure to look closely at the seller’s breed description. The Ameraucana provided by some hatcheries and breeders may not lay a true blue egg; rather it will be a greenish blue or green.
