Araucana chicken is a rare breed, and it comes with much controversy and many challenges. Do you wish to add them to your flock?
The Araucana chicken breed has been prized for its blue eggs since it was first developed in Chile.
Before adding them to your backyard, knowing every detail regarding this breed is a good idea.
Try to collect every detail regarding the Araucana breed: its color, size, appearance, history, raising benefits, and the problems associated with this chicken breed.
All the above information is available in this breed guide for Araucana chickens. Please go through it before taking any steps. You can make an informed decision after you look at all the information.
What is Araucana Chicken?
The Araucana chicken is a hybrid from Chile. The hens lay blue eggs, which are only popular because of the craze for them. It is also known for its ability to lay colored eggs.
People love to raise this hybrid chicken for its blue egg-laying ability. However, the history of its origin is not documented. Spanish agriculturist Salvador Castello discovered the Araucana chicken.
It has white skin and may lay blue or green eggs. The chicken can vary from country to country. They are rumpled and have unusual tufts of feathers on their ears. Lethal genes cause both rumples and tufts.
Common Names of Araucana Chicken
The Araucana chickens is known by different names all over the globe-
- Gallina Mapuche Chicken
- Mapuche fowl
- South American Rumples Chicken
History of Araucana Chicken
It can produce eggs and meat as a dual-purpose hybrids. The genetic mutation gives Araucanas blue-green eggs.
Araucanas have tufted feathers because of another genetic mutation. The Araucana chicken has shaped poultry husbandry.
Araucana chickens were commonly seen in South America in the early twentieth century. Spanish agriculturist Salvador Castello once visited Chile in 1914, saw them, and named them “Gallina Araucana.”
The Mapuche people developed the Araucana and brought it to Europe in the 1920s.
The Araucana chicken came into existence by crossing between the two breeds from Colloncas, northern Chile, and Quetros. People also like to keep them as pets.
This fowl is intelligent and is also good at flying. This hybrid chicken is also very alert.
Scientific research has found that tufts come from lethal and dominant genes. Araucana people believe this chicken does well in fights.
1930 George Malcolm in Scotland developed British Araucana and introduced the lavender plumage variety and bantam Araucana in 1940. Araucana may have been standardized in 1969 or 1974.
Araucana Chicken Color Varieties
The Araucana is a popular hybrid chicken known for its unusual blue-green eggs. However, they come in five colors: Black, Black Breasted Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, and White.
Lifespan
These strong birds can live for years with proper care. The average Araucana chicken lifespan is 7–8 years. Individual birds may live longer or shorter depending on diet, shelter, and health.
Egg Production
Araucanas are a type of hen that typically starts laying eggs at 6 months of age. Araucana chickens lay 250 eggs, 30 eggs less than the best heritage breed, the Plymouth Rock chicken.
This chicken is mostly bantam size, so it is unsuitable for a meat bird. Even if the hens are small, they lay perfect, medium-sized eggs. But you may see some large flocks of these hybrids.
It lays four to five eggs per week as blue and green eggs. It is gorgeous. Production of the eggs fluctuates because of physical, behavioral, and environmental changes.
Araucana Chicken Temperament
These hybrid chickens are quiet and do not cause commotion in the coop. Araucana are calm and docile personalities.
A research study found that those who give time to developing the chickens have loving interactions with them, and these breeds enjoy being cuddled and handled.
These hybrid chickens are strong and grow faster. They do well in confined conditions. The Araucana matures quickly, and they like fresh grass. The colored eggs of Araucana chicken are not more nutritious than other eggs.
Blue eggs are low in cholesterol. Hens are good/caring mothers. If your hen is not sitting on eggs, read our guide on chicken brooding.
Araucana chickens are also known for being friendly and docile, making them a good choice for backyard chicken keepers.
However, it is important to note that Araucana chickens can be prone to aggression if they do not have enough space to roam.
They also tend to be skittish around loud noises and sudden movements. For this reason, it is important to provide Araucana chickens with a spacious enclosure and to handle them gently.
With proper care and socialization, Araucanas can make excellent pet chickens.
Color, Size, Appearance, Characteristics of Araucana Chicken
Color and Appearance
Recognized varieties and colors of hybrid Araucana Chicken:
| Size | Recognized Color/Variety |
|---|---|
| Bantam | Black |
| Large Fowl | Black |
| Bantam | Black Breasted Red |
| Large Fowl | Black Breasted Red |
| Bantam | Golden Duckwing |
| Large Fowl | Golden Duckwing |
| Bantam | Silver Duckwing |
| Large Fowl | Silver Duckwing |
| Bantam | White |
| Large Fowl | White |
But the American Poultry Association recognizes its five colors: Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, white, black, and black-breasted red.
The coloring of this Araucana is quite variable, and this variety of colors makes them beautiful birds. They are considered winter hardy and a dual-purpose chicken breed.
Because of the beard and muffs, they have chipmunk faces that seem like their cheeks are muffed out. Their eyes are bay red and look a bit fierce, but they are quite docile birds, and their looks are deceiving.
Size and Weight
Araucana are small-sized chickens, but they are bigger than bantams and smaller than Brahmas (the king of chickens).
Large-sized Araucana chickens have an average weight of up to 4-5 lbs. bantams about 1.8-2.2 lbs.
Sizes may differ, and this size variation mainly depends on the conditions in which they live.
Araucana grows faster, which is considered the small end of the spectrum, but it grows phenomenally.
Characteristics
The Araucana has unique physical characteristics, not only colored eggs. These hybrid chickens have back slopes towards the bottom half, which gives them good posture. Araucana has two main characteristics:
- Tufts: Their tufts grow under the fold of skin under the ears and stick out like a gentleman’s mustache. It is the feathers of the Araucana that breed around its face. Tufts usually occur on both sides, but they don’t grow.
- No tail: these breeds do not have tails; they don’t have rumps.
These two characteristics give the Araucana a unique appearance rather than the blue eggs.
Hen’s Broodiness
Araucana hens enjoy raising their chicks, and Araucana is a broody frequently. The hatch rate in these hens is very low due to genetic issues.
If we want to raise the birds, we must leave the mother hen with the chicks for better results, which will be easier for you.
Hardiness
Araucana is hardy and can survive in brutal weather as well. They have a pea comb, which makes frostbite uncommon.
But they can survive in other extreme conditions and can adjust to all conditions. They have a nature that is like going with the flow. Read here: How do you keep chickens warm in winter?
Health Issue
Araucana may need care in freezing weather conditions or from internal parasites. They are healthy and strong birds that have an excellent genetic background.
Benefits of Raising Araucana Chickens
Araucanas are quiet and don’t make much noise in the coop. And they are docile.
A study indicated that this hybrid chicken loves attention and cuddles.
Araucanas are strong and fast-growing chickens. You can keep them in small spaces as well. But if you have lots of space in the backyard, they love to forage in fresh grass.
Blue eggs have a small cholesterol content. The hens are good mothers and take care of their kids very well.
Araucana hens are sociable and docile, making them wonderful backyard chickens. However, Araucana chickens can get aggressive if there is an insufficient area for free range.
They are afraid of loud noises and rapid movements. Because of this, Araucana chickens need large confinement and gentle treatment.
Araucanas are great pet hens with proper care and socialization.
Problems in Raising Araucana Hybrids
Araucana chickens are physically small and strange in the most adorable way. They are wacky and sweet.
These birds only weigh 4-5 lbs and have no tails. They are very flighty, and finding a pure breed is hard.
It’s tough to breed this chicken variety, and it requires a lot of experience to get an Araucana chick to hatch, but once they hatch, it’s easy to raise them. There is a faulty gene in this breed.
Also read: How to Clip Chicken Wings? — To Stop Their Flying
Araucana Chicken Hen Vs. Rooster
There are a few differences between Araucana hens and roosters. Hens are smaller and thinner. Plus, hens have shorter tail feathers than roosters.
Roosters have longer, more colorful tail feathers and more noticeable plumage.
Finally, roosters have a larger comb than hens. These differences in appearance can help you figure out what kind of Araucana chicken it is.
FAQs
Are Araucana chickens rare?
Araucana chickens are rare South American hybrids. They are rare and commercially unavailable, with only a few hundred globally.
Only a few Araucana chicken breeders offer eggs and chicks online. Araucana chickens are rare and expensive, costing over $100 each.
Since they are one of the most attractive and distinctive chickens, many think they are worth the price.
Do Araucana Chickens have a good personality?
Blue-green eggs and tufted ears define Araucana chickens. Araucanas are friendly and docile, but their personalities vary.
Many owners say Araucanas are cheerful and enjoy interacting with people. They are smart, curious, and easy to manage. They also get along with other breeds of flock hens.
Note that chicken personalities may vary because they can be affected by socialization, handling, and environment.
Proper caring and good behavior can help you to keep Araucana chicken less aggressive and comfortable.
How Much Do Araucana Chickens Cost?
Currently, in 2023, most hatcheries charge $158 for 42 Araucana chicken eggs, which includes fast shipping.
Because they are unique and hard to find, the best place to find Araucana hens is from a local farmer instead of a hatchery or farm store.
The prices of live Araucana chicks may also change depending on the season, the owner, and the color strain.
Some hatcheries or sellers also have minimum orders, like 10 chicks minimum, to make sure they deliver you live chicks with a guarantee.
Are Araucana chickens friendly?
Yes, Araucana chickens are friendly. They are easy to tame and always like to interact with people. They love to play with their owners; if kids are there, it’s a plus for them.
Most of the chicken raisers recommend this hybrid chicken for backyard raising. Their friendly, docile temperament makes them a perfect backyard friend.
Are Araucana chickens cold-hardy?
Yes, Araucana’s characteristics make them suitable for regions with colder temperatures.
Their small pea comb and absence of wattles helps them stay safe in frostbite during harsh conditions.
Because of their lots of puffy feathering, their bodies stay warm during freezing temperatures.
But they still need more places to stay, protection from strong winds, and clean drinking water.
Are Araucana chickens noisy?
The Araucana chicken is quieter than other chicken breeds. They are moderately noisy, which can help backyard or city chicken raisers reduce disturbances.
In rare cases, Araucanas’ personalities differ, and some may be noisy.
The places to live, interacting with others, and chickens’ health can also affect noise levels.
Araucana Chickens Care Guide and Facts
Poultry lovers love Araucana chickens for their blue eggs and tufts. This care guide will help you keep your Araucana flock healthy and happy:
Proper Housing:
Protect Araucanas from predators and weather with a strong chicken coop.
Araucanas are cold-hardy, so keep the coop well-ventilated and draft-free.
Include roosting perches and egg-laying nesting boxes.
To prevent disease, clean and change bedding in the coop regularly.
Enough Space:
Allow each Araucana bird to move freely in the coop. Usually 2-3 square feet per chicken in the coop and 8-10 in an outside run.
A safe outdoor run lets them forage and exercise, which is healthy.
Nutrition:
Feed chicks starter/grower feed and egg-laying hens layer feed for a balanced diet.
Add grains, veggies, and mealworms or fruits to their diet.
Maintain fresh, pure water and prevent freezing in cold conditions.
Health and Hygiene:
Check for diseases or parasites in your chickens and see a vet if necessary.
Keep the coop and run clean to avoid sickness.
Local conditions and veterinary advice might recommend vaccinations.
Handling and Socializing:
To encourage socialization, handle your Araucanas gently and often, especially if you have small children.
Exposing your flock to humans can make them friendlier and simpler to handle.
Protection from Predators:
Protect your coop and run against foxes, raccoons, and birds of prey.
Hardware cloth protects better than chicken wire.
Climate Issues:
Small pea combs protect them from frostbite in cold temperatures. Maintain a dry, wind-free atmosphere in winter.
Their dense feathers can cause heat discomfort in warmer regions, so they provide shade and water.
Manage breeding:
Araucana tufts have a fatal gene that can kill embryos; therefore, be careful while breeding them. Selecting and breeding requires care.
Conclusion
For several years, the Araucanas were an excellent addition to the flocks. Many people raise these hybrid chickens for meat.
They are very gentle, have a friendly personality, and have a good egg-laying temperament, and this Araucana chicken serves as a popular choice for many chicken enthusiasts.
Share your experience below if you are raising Araucana chickens. People love to read your comments.
