Ameraucan chicken breed: description, characteristics and breeding rules, diseases

Distinguishing Ameraukana from other breeds of chickens is quite simple. This bird, which is bred to produce eggs of the original color, is distinguished by dense plumage and pronounced whiskers protruding from both sides of the beak. Ameraukana stands out from relatives with developed wings, and roosters of this breed are aggressive towards owners and females.

History of occurrence and description of the breed

Ameraucan appeared in the 70s of the last century by crossing Araucan with American breeds of chickens. Officially, this variety of poultry was included in the relevant registers in 1984.

Ameraucan breed does not have a single color that distinguishes these chickens from their relatives. There are 8 varieties of poultry, differing among themselves in the shade of plumage.

The popularity of Ameraucany among farmers consists of two components: increased egg production and unusual-tasting meat. The breed is characterized by unpretentiousness in terms of care and the ability to live in the northern regions. The eggs of these chickens have a variety of colors, which is why these birds are called "Easter".

Appearance of Ameraucany

This breed is classified into 8 species according to plumage color. Also in the genus Ameraukana there are dwarf representatives known as bantams. The main sign of these poultry is the presence of pronounced whiskers that hide a small head. This feature gives the chickens an aristocratic look.

The characteristic features of Ameraucana include the following:

• red or dark red eyes;
• large curved beak;
• pea comb growing in the middle;
• red and elongated earlobes (roosters have a more saturated color);
• compact 45-degree curved tail;
• large wings that allow the bird to fly;
• medium-length paws with a wide setting;
• the color of the paws depends on the shade of the plumage.

The shade of eggs varies from green to blue, in rare cases - pink.

The weight of adult hens is 2.5 kilograms, roosters - 3 kilograms. Chicks reach sexual maturity at 6 months of age.

Bird productivity

Ameraucanu is bred for its unusual meat and colorful eggs, which are in demand. Chickens of this breed "do not like" hatching chicks. For a year, adult females are able to lay up to 210-250 eggs, the weight of which is, on average, 65 grams.

Character of breed

Roosters of this breed are characterized by aggressive behavior, showing their own character towards their owners and hens. Therefore, males are recommended to be kept in separate enclosures. This bird is characterized by curiosity, in connection with which the females are constantly on the move, looking for something interesting.

The behavior of the chicks depends on how they feel:

• get together - experience cold;
• continuous squeak - ask for food;
• remove from heat source - too hot;
• do not make sounds - do not experience discomfort.

In the first 10 weeks, the chicks develop muscle and bone mass. During this period, it is necessary to provide chickens with proper nutrition. After 10 weeks, the chicks begin to actively gain weight. Within the specified period, it is necessary to ensure uniform access to power sources.

Lack of food will cause large chicks to attack small ones.

Main pros and cons

Ameraucan chickens have the following advantages:

• colored eggs;
• original tasting meat;
• increased stamina;
• ability to live in cold and hot climates;
• high productivity;
• low power requirements;
• being immune to common diseases;
• viable chickens.

The main disadvantage of these chickens is the nature of the birds. Males are characterized by increased aggressiveness, and females do not incubate eggs.

Content Tips

Because of the lack of brooding instinct in Ameraukana, farmers breed these birds in two ways: buy chicks or install an incubator on the plot.

Poultry

Due to the fact that this breed is distinguished by curiosity, it is necessary for birds to build a spacious chicken coop with a mandatory area for walking. The poultry house must be protected from the penetration of moisture, rodents and parasites. It is recommended to sheathe walls, ceiling and floor with materials that prevent drafts.

Although chickens are not fussy when it comes to care, the house should be cleaned regularly. Indoors, you need to maintain a constant temperature of + 14-19 degrees.The poultry house should also contain perches installed at a height of 60-80 centimeters. For roosters, you need to mount strips 35 centimeters long, for females - 30 centimeters. In the chicken coop, you need to place a container with sand in which the birds will take dust baths.

Ameraucans grow well in 60-70% humidity. Regular disinfection and bedding is recommended to prevent contamination of poultry in the coop.

Walking

Ameraucan chickens love to take long walks. Therefore, for birds, it is necessary to organize a cage next to the chicken coop. The walking area should be fenced on all sides, including from above. The absence of a "ceiling" will lead to the fact that the chickens will scatter around the site.

Farmers also recommend installing a fence in this area on the foundation, as well as building separate shady canopies where birds can walk in the warm season.

Preparation of feeders and drinkers

Inside the coop and in the area for walking, it is necessary to provide chickens with sources of water and food. To do this, it is recommended to install vacuum drinkers that do not let water through and provide the necessary dryness for birds in the area where they live. Ameraukan should be given pure water to drink.

Feeders should be cleaned immediately after feeding or once a day.

Shedding and laying break

Starting from October (or with the onset of cold weather), Ameraucana begins a molting period that lasts up to two or three months. At this time, up to 85% of the body's resources of chickens are spent on changing plumage. Therefore, the number of eggs in this period is sharply reduced.

During shedding, it is recommended to add protein or mineral supplements to food. At the end of the specified period, the previous egg production is restored.

Planned herd replacement

Due to the fact that hens of the Ameraucana breed are more productive within 1.5-2 years, it is necessary to start replacing the herd after the females reach one year of age.

Feeding chickens

Egg production and other indicators that affect the life of the herd depend on the characteristics of feeding. Therefore, special attention must be paid to the nutrition of chickens.

Chicks

After birth and for the next three weeks, the chicks should be fed five times a day, with an interval of one hour. In the future, chickens need to be transferred to three meals a day. It is necessary to feed the chicks with compound feed, which includes B vitamins and protein.

During the first 1.5 years of life, greens and crushed eggshells should be introduced into the diet of young animals. During this period, the chicks should be gradually transferred to the diet of adult hens. Also, Ameraucana chicks need plenty of fluids.

Adults

During the summer, adult hens can be fed twice a day, in winter - three times. A suitable diet for the Ameraucana breed is a mixture of feed and greens. Additionally, it is recommended to introduce corn, barley, oats and wheat into the diet. To ensure the normal functioning of adult birds, the diet should consist of 16-20% animal proteins.

Breeding

An incubator is required to breed the breed, as hens do not incubate eggs. You can also buy young. However, it is difficult to do this in Russia, since it is impossible to determine the belonging to the breed by the chick.

For breeding young animals, you should choose large eggs laid 2-7 days ago. In order for the chicks to hatch, it is necessary to keep the incubation material warm: at temperatures below +8 degrees, the embryo dies.

Bird diseases

Ameraucan chickens from birth are distinguished by strong immunity to common viral and infectious diseases. Birds of this species are infected mainly by parasites. Therefore, it is important to organize the chicken coop so that pathogenic microorganisms do not penetrate inside.

Recommended