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.
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.
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!
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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:
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.
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.
“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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