An American domestic chicken breed is the Ameraucana. It was created in the United States in the 1970s and is a result of Chilean Araucana chicken imports. It was bred to keep the blue-egg gene while removing the parent breed’s deadly alleles. There are bantam and regular-sized variations.
Appearance
One of the few chicken breeds that produces blue eggs is the Ameraucana. It shares the pea comb and the blue egg gene with the Araucana, among other traits. It has a tail, a muff, and a beard, whereas the American Araucana lacks a rump and has ear tufts. The wattles are little or nonexistent, the earlobes are small and spherical, and the comb and wattles are entirely red. In the black plumage variety, the shanks are slate-blue with a tendency to black. The American Standard of Perfection recognizes eight color variations: black, blue, blue wheaten, brown red, buff, silver, wheaten, and white.
As Pet
A wonderful pet is an ameraucana. They are only bred to be chickens for backyards. They are not employed in the industrial production of chicken meat or eggs. Ameraucanas are sturdy birds who do well in cold climates. They struggle in warm, muggy conditions. Give your Ameraucanas lots of cover and frequent access to cool water on hot days. Put water that has been frozen in an old milk bottle in their coop. Your hens might even lean against the ice block to get some relief as it cools the area.
Housing
The chicken coop you purchase for your brood must shield them from the elements and safeguard them from predators. Ameraucana hens require more space than some other breeds because they want to free run. At least 8 square feet are recommended as a general guideline for each bird. This is crucial, especially if you won’t be allowing them to roam free.
Ameraucanas do not do well in confined spaces, thus it is essential for their wellbeing that you provide them ample room. Additionally, make sure they have a safe place to roam free on your land or construct a chicken run for them.
Feeding
The same food that you feed the rest of your flock can be fed to them. Make sure to feed your chickens premium commercial chicken feed regardless of the breed you are growing. The Ameraucana chicks thrive when fed a starting meal containing 21%, just like other breeds of chicken. Feed the chicks this food continuously until they are around 8 weeks old, at which point you can convert them to the same feed you feed the adult chickens. Ameraucanas enjoy forging, therefore some of their diet will consist of insects and seeds they discover on the ground. Additionally, you can provide them with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Ameraucanas should never be fed spoiled or rancid food, as well as food scraps that are too salty or fatty, just like other chicken breeds. Feeding hens raw potatoes, raw onions, raw garlic, raw beans, raw grains, citrus fruits, avocados, or chocolate is not recommended. Bananas, berries, apples, vegetable peels, bok choy, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, swiss chards, kale, cucumbers, beets, squash, carrots, and pumpkins are acceptable substitute foods. They can also consume prepared foods like pasta, rice, or beans.
Grooming
Make sure they receive regular deworming and inspections for pests like ticks, mites, fleas, and lice. Your flock will appreciate a wonderful dust bath filled with some lavender or similar scents because they enjoy taking these baths. A thorough sandy bath helps rid the chicken of parasites and extra oils, making it considerably cleaner overall.
Temperament
If you prefer light blue eggs, the Ameraucana is a cheerful, gregarious, and friendly chicken that is a great addition to your flock. They are excellent foragers and adore roaming around. They are additionally quiet and submissive, which is advantageous if you have particularly close neighbours.
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