ARAUCANA CHICKENS

The Araucana is unique in the poultry world by being both rumpless and having ear tufts of feathers protruding from each side of the neck. They can’t be confused with any other breed of chicken. The ear tufts are associated with a lethal gene that makes hatching and chick survivability a challenge, even for experienced breeders.

Araucana Chicken

The birds we know as Araucana were first described in Chile by Professor Salvador Castello in 1914. He later introduced them to the poultry industry at the World’s Congress at the Hague in 1921. Not long after on December 15, 1924, the Pratt Experiment Farm of Morton, Pennsylvania, imported some of the first Araucanas, two males and five females, to North America with more to follow. Over the years enthusiasts perfected the breed and developed color varieties such as the Black, Black Breasted Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing and the White. These were the first varieties that were officially accepted into the American Poultry Associations Standard of Perfection in 1976.

Araucana roosters mature to five pounds and the hens reach up to four pounds. Hens are expected to lay about 150-200 blue colored eggs a year at the height of productive years. They have a mild temperament and are known to be calm, curious, and friendly birds.

The popularity of hybrid blue-egg chicken varieties has led to problems for the long-term security of Araucanas. Non-blue egg layers were introduced into the gene pool to improve egg laying. Since ear tufts, rumplessness, and blue eggs are all dominant genes, it can be difficult to determine between pure bred and hybrid blue egg laying hybrids. This has resulted in the greatest threat to the Araucana breed’s survival.

Long time breeder and enthusiast, Maegan Holland had this to say of the Araucana: “This breed takes a lot of dedication but is something worth saving. They have the best personality of any breed I’ve handled, are excellent layers and provide I nice, meaty carcass as well. They do great in the summer and in the winter with their medium fluff and pea combs. I think they are the entire package!”

Did you know:
The Livestock Conservancy is America’s leading organization working to save over 150 heritage breeds from extinction. We rely on the support of our members, grants, and donations from the public to raise the $700,000 a year needed to maintain our conservation work with rare breeds of farm animals. Click here to learn how you can help.