What does a easter egger chicken look like

For 2017, the Easter Egger made the #1 spot of chickens sold by Meyer Hatchery for the entire year. It is an extremely popular breed for several reasons. They are a good layer of large-sized eggs, which are primarily green but can also sometimes be blue, brown, creamy white or even pink. They are quiet and gentle and do great with children. Easter Egger chickens are usually happy with some confinement but are also good at foraging. They come in a wide variety of feather colors making it a guessing game as to what your little chick may look like as an adult.

The Easter Egger is not a recognized breed so you will not find them listed in the APA Standard of Perfection. They are descendants of the Ameraucana and the Araucana breeds but have been crossed with many other breeds to give us that great color variety of both feathers and eggs. Many Easter Eggers have slate colored legs and tufts and muffs around the head, which comes from their Ameraucana roots. Occasionally an Easter Egger can be rumpless and this trait is from the Araucana ancestors. Because of their mixed ancestry, Easter Egger chicks can be difficult to distinguish from other breeds until they are a few months old. The combs on Easter Eggers are usually a rose comb, but other comb types are possible.

What does a easter egger chicken look like

It’s important to note that although the Easter Egger has the genetic potential to lay any color of egg, once a young pullet begins to lay, she will lay that same egg color for her life. So if she begins to lay and gives you a brown egg, she won’t suddenly lay a blue egg the next day and then a green egg the next. Genetics do not work that way.

What does a easter egger chicken look like

I think Easter Eggers are a terrific breed and I hope you will consider them if you haven’t yet owned one. If you do own Easter Eggers, tell us about them in the comments below. We love to hear your stories!

Updated: February 22, 2021

It’s springtime and many people are thinking about backyard chickens, some delving into the hobby for the first time as gathering your own farm-fresh eggs is becoming a growing trend. As you think about assembling your flock, consider the many different breeds that lay an assortment of colored eggs that — you guessed it — resemble dyed Easter eggs!

Below are a few of the breeds of chickens known for producing beautifully colored eggs:

What does a easter egger chicken look like
Araucana hen

Araucanas – If you’ve been thinking about raising a few chickens for eggs, consider the Araucana. Although there are a lot of great egg-layers out there, such as Rhode Island Reds and Leghorns, few chickens are as delightful, especially if you have children. This breed was originally developed in Chile. They have ear tufts and no tail, because they are rumpless and actually lack the vertebrae that support a tail. More interestingly, though, they lay blue eggs which, remarkably, are blue even on the inside of the shell. The name Araucana is often incorrectly used in this country to describe any chicken that lays green or blue eggs, many of which are actually mixed breeds.

What does a easter egger chicken look like
Ameraucana hen

Ameraucanas – are an American breed of domestic chicken developed in the United States in the 1970s, derived from Araucanas. They lay pretty, light blue to greenish-blue eggs. They are only available through breeders, so be sure you find a reputable one. Sometimes these birds are incorrectly referred to as “Americanas.” They are known for having a fun personality and docile, sweet temperament.

What does a easter egger chicken look like
Easter Egger hen

“Easter Eggers” are a mixed breed chicken with delightful, amusing personalities that many people add to their flock due to the fact that they lay eggs in a wide variety of colors, including blue, pink, green, sage, and yellow.

So bring a little color into your life. Your kids will love you for it; and you’ll be rewarded with nutritious eggs and nitrogen-rich fertilizer for your garden.

Ready to get started? Check out Raising Backyard Chickens For Eggs: A Beginner’s Guide here!

With assistance from freelance writer Paul Robert.

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What does a easter egger chicken look like

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How can you tell if a chicken is an Easter Egger?

Features you may find in Easter Eggers include muffs, beards, slate/green/blue legs, feathered legs, or pea combs, or they might be rumpless. Color patterns range across the board from black to white, buff to partridge, splash, blue, lacing, and on and on!

Are Easter Egger chickens rare?

Others call their stock Araucana, Ameraucana, or Americana. Usually, their stock consists of Easter Egger chickens. True Araucana chickens are rare. Ameraucana chickens are getting more popular and some large national hatcheries do accurately carry them.

What color eggs does Easter Egger lay?

Easter Eggers can lay a variety of egg colors, from blue to green and sometimes even pink. Olive Eggers are aptly named for the olive-colored eggs they lay and are a result of crossing brown egg layers with blue egg layers.

Does an Easter Egger always lay the same color egg?

They have the cute little poofy cheeks and beards. Easter Eggers can lay multiple different egg colors such as blue, green, white, pink, tan or dark brown eggs. But one thing to keep in mind, the color eggs one chicken lays will stay that same color throughout her lifetime. Their egg colors don't change.