Ameraucana Chickens: Blue Egg Breed Guide

If you've ever wanted to collect sky-blue eggs from your own backyard, the Ameraucana is the breed for you. True Ameraucanas lay blue eggs, have charming fluffy beards and muffs, and are calm, curious birds that fit well in a family flock. They're often confused with Easter Eggers, so this guide also explains how to tell the two apart.

Quick facts

Egg color	Blue
Egg size	Medium to large
Eggs per year	About 150–200
First eggs	About 20–24 weeks
Adult hen weight	About 5.5 lbs
Temperament	Calm, curious, not flighty
Cold hardy	Yes, pea comb resists frostbite
Heat tolerance	Good with shade and water
Broodiness	Occasionally
Purpose	Egg layer
Comb	Pea
Legs	Slate blue

History of the Ameraucana

Ameraucanas were developed in the United States in the 1970s from blue-egg chickens that originally came from Chile. Breeders wanted a bird that laid blue eggs reliably and bred true, without the health problems tied to the tufted, tailless Araucana. The result was the Ameraucana, a bearded, muffed, tailed bird with a pea comb and slate legs. The American Poultry Association recognized the breed in 1984.

True blue eggs

Ameraucana hens lay about 150–200 medium to large blue eggs a year, starting at about 20–24 weeks. The blue color goes all the way through the shell, not just on the surface, so the inside of the shell is blue too. Shade varies a little from hen to hen, from pale sky blue to deeper blue.

For a basket full of color, add brown, dark chocolate and olive layers. Our chicken egg color chart and the colored egg layers collection show the options.

What does BBS mean?

BBS stands for Blue, Black and Splash, three color varieties that come from the same blue gene. When blue birds are bred, their chicks come out in a natural mix of blue, black and splash. Blue birds have slate gray feathers, often with darker edging. Black birds are solid black with a green sheen. Splash birds are mostly white or pale gray with darker flecks. Because of how the gene works, we can't guarantee which color you'll get, and every color lays the same blue eggs.

Ameraucana vs Easter Egger

This is the most common question we get about the breed.

• Ameraucanas are a recognized purebred breed bred to a standard. They lay blue eggs and have beards, muffs, a pea comb and slate legs.
• Easter Eggers are mixed birds that carry the blue-egg gene. They can lay blue, green or other colored eggs, and every bird looks a little different.

Both are friendly, hardy and great for beginners. If you want true blue eggs and a standard-bred bird, choose an Ameraucana. If you want a mix of egg shades and higher numbers, Easter Eggers are a fun choice. Read more in Easter Egger vs Olive Egger chicks.

Temperament

Ameraucanas are calm and curious. They can be a little more independent than Orpingtons, but they're not flighty, and many become quite friendly with regular handling. They mix well with other breeds and are a good fit for families.

Raising Ameraucanas in the Mid-Atlantic

The small pea comb and thick beard and muffs make Ameraucanas very cold hardy, with little risk of frostbite in our winters. They're lighter-bodied than heavy breeds, so they also handle humid Eastern Shore summers well when they have shade, airflow and cool water. Keep the coop dry and ventilated year-round. See the best breeds for Mid-Atlantic weather for more.

Care basics

• Brooder: warm, draft-free and clean. Check beards for dried feed or water as chicks grow. See how to set up a brooder.
• Space: at least 4 square feet per bird in the coop and about 10 square feet per bird in the run.
• Feed: starter, then grower, then layer feed with oyster shell once laying starts.
• Waterers: nipple or cup waterers help keep beards and muffs clean and dry.

Frequently asked questions

Do Ameraucanas lay blue eggs?

Yes. True Ameraucanas lay blue eggs, and the color goes all the way through the shell.

How many eggs does an Ameraucana lay?

About 150–200 medium to large blue eggs a year, starting at around 20–24 weeks.

What color will my BBS Ameraucana chicks be?

A natural mix of blue, black and splash. We can't guarantee a specific color, and all three lay blue eggs.

Is an Ameraucana the same as an Easter Egger?

No. Ameraucanas are a recognized purebred breed that lays blue eggs. Easter Eggers are mixed birds that may lay blue, green or other colors.

Are Ameraucanas good in cold weather?

Yes. Their pea comb and thick beard and muffs make them very cold hardy.

Can I buy Ameraucana hatching eggs?

Yes. BBS Ameraucana hatching eggs are available for home incubation.

Ordering BBS Ameraucana chicks from Chesapeake

All chick orders are pre-orders by hatch date. Shipped chicks travel by USPS Priority Mail to your local post office for pickup, and the post office calls when they arrive. Most breeds have a 6-chick minimum for shipping, and you can mix breeds that share a hatch date. BBS Ameraucanas can also be added to a Free local pickup order on the same hatch date. Live near Maryland's Eastern Shore? Choose Free local pickup in Preston, with no minimum order. Marek's vaccination is optional and can be added in your cart, and every order is backed by our live arrival guarantee.

See chick shipping rates and times and free local pickup details, or read when to order baby chicks for the best spring dates.

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