If you are a chicken enthusiast, you may have come across two breeds of chickens that sound quite similar but are actually quite distinct – the Americana and the Ameraucana.
In total, Americanas are a hybrid breed that lay several different colors of eggs including blue, green, brown, and pink while Ameraucanas are a purebred breed that lays blue and green eggs.
While they may share some similarities in appearance and egg-laying abilities, there are also some key differences between the two breeds that set them apart.
In this article, we will explore the key similarities and differences between Americana and Ameraucana chickens, including their origins, physical characteristics, temperament, and egg-laying abilities, to help you determine which breed may be the best fit for your flock. Afterward, we will explore each breed more in-depth!
Americana or Ameraucana: Key Similarities
- Both breeds originated in the USA.
- Both breeds are capable of laying blue/green eggs.
- Both Breeds are considered to be good layers.
- Both Breeds are more efficient in cooler climates.
- Both Breeds typically have a beard and muff on their face.
- Both Breeds are typically friendly
Americana or Ameraucana: Key Differences
- The Ameraucana chickens originated from Aucana mixed with several other breeds, while Americana chickens originated from breeding Ameraucana chickens to white/brown egg-laying breeds.
- The Ameraucana chicken breed is an official breed recognized by the American Poultry Association, while the Americana breed is a hybrid breed that’s not recognized as an official breed.
- While both are good layers, the Americana breed lays around 80 more eggs per year than the Ameraucana.
- Ameraucanas lay blue or green eggs while the different varieties of Americanas lay either blue, green, pink, or brown eggs.
- Ameraucanas typically weigh about 1 pound more for both hens and roosters than Americanas.
- Ameraucanas have pea combs, while Americanas can exhibit pea, single, rose, or a mixture of combs.
- The Ameraucanas are black, white, blue, blue-wheaten, brown-red, buff, and silver. Americanas typically have a Mixed or “peppered” appearance, as well as solid colors such as white, red, black, blue, partridge, barred, or duckwing.
- Ameraucanas have slate to black legs while Americanas typically have green, slate, or yellow legs.
- Ameraucanas have red eyes while Americanas have red, yellow, brown or mixed eyes.
- Ameraucanas breed true while Americanas do not.
The Americana
The Americana also referred to as the “Easter Egger,” is not a standardized breed but a hybrid between an Ameraucana and a light brown or white egg-laying breed. Because of their mixed genetics, they do not produce offspring that consistently display the same characteristics.
Despite this, it has become a popular breed among backyard chicken keepers for its friendly temperament and colorful eggs. While the Americana shares some similarities with the Ameraucana, it is a distinct breed with its own unique traits and characteristics. Today, the breed is widely available from hatcheries and breeders across the country.
Americana Attributes:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA – Created from breeding Ameraucanas with various white/brown egg layers. |
| Egg Color | Green, blue, pink, and brown. |
| Eggs Per Year | 280 |
| Weight | 4 lbs. for Hens, 5 lbs. for Roosters |
| Temperament | Friendly |
| Features | Typically displays bearded muffs, but not always. They have green, slate, or yellow legs, and their beaks can range from yellow, bi-colored, black, grey, or white. |
| Colors | Mixed or “peppered” appearance, as well as solid colors such as white, red, black, blue, partridge, barred, or duckwing. |
| Combs | Combs can be pea, single, rose, or a mixture. |
| Eyes | Brown, Red, yellow, or a mix. |
| Broody | Rarely goes broody. |
| Breeds True | No |
| Ideal Climates | Cooler Climates |
The Ameraucana
The Ameraucana chicken is a breed of domestic chicken that was developed in the United States in the 1970s. It was created by breeding Araucana chickens, which are native to Chile, with various other breeds of chickens. The breed was then recognized by the American Poultry Association as its own breed in 1984.
The Araucana chickens had ear tufts. While cute, this gene is deadly. If both parents contribute to the tufting gene, their chicks usually die before they hatch.
During the 1970s, Mr. Keller, a breeder at the Pratt Experimental Farm in Pennsylvania, successfully produced the original Ameraucana chickens. He achieved this by crossbreeding the Araucana chicken with other chicken breeds, with the aim of preserving the blue egg gene and removing the lethal gene responsible for ear tufts.
It’s important to know that Ameraucanas breed true. Unlike Americanas, you can raise chicks from an existing flock and get more of the same to replenish your flock.
Ameraucana Attributes:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Eggs Per Year |
| Egg Color | Blue/Green |
| Eggs Pear Year | 200 |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs. for Hens, 6.5 lbs. for Roosters |
| Temperament | Friendly |
| Features | Beard and muff on their face, curved beak, upright tail, Slate to black legs. |
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver |
| Combs | Pea comb |
| Eyes | Red |
| Broody | Known to be broodier than the average chicken breed. |
| Breeds True | Yes |
| Ideal Climates | Cooler Climates |
I’ve written an entire article just on the Ameraucanas if you’d like to check it out! Here’s the link to the Complete Ameraucana Chicken Guide!
Which Breed is best, Americana or Ameraucana?
The answer to this question really depends on what you’re after. So let’s dive into which one may be right for you.
While broody hens may be great for some folks, they can be annoying to others. If you’re looking for a breed that will raise more young go with the Ameraucanas, as they are known to be a broody breed. If you don’t want broody hens interrupting your egg production, go with Americanas.
It’s important to remember that Ameraucanas breed true, and Americanas don’t. If you’re looking to replenish your flock from your existing chickens, go with Ameraucanas.
If you’re looking for just lots of blue eggs, go with the Americanas – they lay up to 80 more eggs yearly than the Ameraucanas.
I think you can’t go wrong with either breed, but if you’re still not sure, take a look at each table to see which one may have the qualities you’re looking for.
Where to Get Ameraucana or Americana Chickens
On average, the best place to get these chickens is through an online hatchery such as Hoovers or Mcmurray. These sites are trusted and have a great selection of chicks for you to choose from!
Generally, you can buy chickens locally but you’re at the store’s mercy on what breeds they have at the time. I went to my local Tractor Supply and they had 4 breeds available at the time. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any Ameraucanas or Americanas and weren’t sure they would get any this year.
The store representative instructed me to go online to their website and buy them there. Their website just redirected me to an online hatchery called Hoovers Hatchery! While they had Americanas, they didn’t have any Ameraucanas.
Although Ameraucanas and Americanas are popular breeds, there are even more popular breeds, such as the White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds. It may be challenging to find Ameraucanas/Americanas at your local farm and ranch stores, and it’s possible that you may never be able to acquire them.
If you are able to find them locally, I recommended that you take advantage of the opportunity and acquire as many as you need, as purchasing them online could result in a minimum of $25 in shipping fees.
Conclusion
I hope this article helps you clearly distinguish between Americanas and Ameraucanas! I think both breeds are great, and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. No matter which breed you choose for your backyard flock, I think you can’t go wrong.