Ameraucana is quite famous for its stunning blue eggs, aesthetic appearance, and hardiness. Black Ameraucana Chickens are a variety of ameraucana breeds which is the perfect choice for you to raise them for eggs, meat, and ornamental purposes.
However, the black color of the American breed is not recognized as an accepted color for show birds by the American Poultry Association. This blog’s title is focused on Black Ameraucana Chicken, so we will cover everything about them.
Let’s start.
Brief History of Black Ameraucana Chicken
The Ameraucana chicken is a breed of domestic chicken that originated in the United States during the 1970s. The term Ameraucana is derived from Araucana chickens that were brought over from Chile.
The intention of creating the Ameraucana breed is to preserve the blue-egg gene while eliminating the lethal alleles of the parent breed. In Europe, the Ameraucana breed of chicken is considered the variety of the Araucana breed.
Ameraucana chicken is available in 8 colors which are:
- Black Ameraucana Chicken: They have black plumage with black shanks, beaks, beards, and muffs. But their feet and toes are white.
- Blue Ameraucana Chicken: They have Blue plumage.
- Blue Wheaten Ameraucana Chicken: They have blue plumage with wheaten shades.
- Brown Red Ameraucana Chicken: They have brown-red plumage.
- Buff Ameraucana Chicken: They have standard buff plumage.
- Silver Ameraucana Chicken: The rooster and the hen of Silver Ameraucana chicken are slightly different, they both have silver plumage, but the rooster has a black beard and muffs while the hen has light gray.
- Wheaten Ameraucana Chicken: They have wheaten plumage.
- White Ameraucana Chicken: They have standard white plumage.
Lifespan of Black Ameraucana Chicken
The lifespan of a chicken depends on many factors like environment, diet, relationships, health, etc. On average black ameraucana chickens can live 6-7 years, you can boost their longevity through health care, a balanced diet, providing a comfortable environment, etc.
Moreover, laying breeds may have shorter lifespans due to the stress of frequent egg production, while heritage or dual-purpose breeds tend to live longer.
Appearance of Black Ameraucana Chicken
Black Ameraucana chicken has a solid black color with a hint of green in certain lighting conditions. They have black plumage with black shanks, beaks, beards, and muffs which makes them almost all black chicken.
Their skin color is yellowish and their feet and toes are whitish, this gives them an aesthetic look. Black Ameraucana chicken is considered a light bird even in all Ameraucana, the hen weighs around 5.5 lbs while the rooster weighs around 6.5 lbs.
Temperament of Black Ameraucana Chicken
Black Ameraucana chickens have a friendly and docile nature, they love to be close to their chickens, friends, and humans. They are good foragers, love to explore their environment, and search for food like worms, insects, seeds, etc.
These chickens are very sweet and cute, people want to play and be close to them. Black Ameraucana chickens are also quite hardy, they tolerate both hot and cold weather. Hardy that’s why they are almost not susceptible to many diseases.
Eggs Production of Black Ameraucana Chicken
Black Ameraucana chicken is also capable of prolific egg laying, they are well known for their beautiful eggs and better-laying capacity. Their laying season is long and they are hardy birds so they even produce in cold weather or winter.
Black Ameraucana chickens lay from 200 to 300 per year, which means 4 to 6 eggs per week and their colors are stunning blue in various shades The eggs of black ameraucana chickens are medium-sized, and their eggs are slightly smaller than the grocery store eggs.
How to Care for Black Ameraucana Chicken
Caring for Black Ameraucana chickens involves providing them with specific attention and meeting their unique needs. By following some simple guidelines, you can ensure that your Black Ameraucanas stay healthy and happy.
Housing and Environment
To provide a suitable home for your Black Ameraucana chickens, make sure they have a spacious and well-ventilated coop. The coop should be secure, protecting them from predators, and have clean bedding. Additionally, provide a safe and comfortable outdoor area for them to roam and scratch.
Feeding and Watering
A balanced diet is essential for the health of your Black Ameraucanas. Feed them a diet consisting of good-quality chicken feed, which should include grains, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Provide fresh water at all times, ensuring it is clean and easily accessible.
Health and Care
Regular health checks are crucial for the well-being of your Black Ameraucanas. Monitor them for any signs of illness or injury and seek veterinary care if needed. Keep their living area clean and free of waste to prevent the spread of diseases. Additionally, provide them with regular dust baths to help keep their feathers clean and free of parasites.
Activities and Exercise
Black Ameraucana chickens are social animals and enjoy interacting with their flockmates. Ensure they have enough space to move around and engage in natural behaviors like scratching and pecking. Regularly spend time with your chickens, offering treats and gentle handling to foster a bond and trust between you.
Conclusion
Black Ameraucana chicken is a rare variety of ameraucana, but this black color is not recognized as an accepted color by the American Poultry Association. They are quite popular for their stunning blue color eggs and beautiful, aesthetic appearance.
They are very docile and friendly birds, they love to interact with friends and humans, and they are also good foragers who love to explore their environment. Black Ameraucana chicken is the perfect choice for people with children, a little backyard or space, and little time.
Have you ever raised a full black chicken? Feel free to share your thoughts with us. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs Related to Black Ameraucana Chicken
Are black ameraucana chickens aggressive?
No, they are docile and friendly, they love to play and have joy with their friends and humans.
How many eggs does black ameraucana chicken produce?
They produce from 200-300 eggs annually, which means 4-6 per week.
Do black ameraucana chickens have black skin?
No, as they are almost black but their skin is yellow, not black.
Are ameraucana chickens broody?
Many Ameraucana chickens are broody and if one of their eggs hatches, they are known to make very careful mothers. However, their brooding depends on the strain of the breed.
Are black ameraucana chickens rare?
Yes, black ameraucana chicken is still quite rare.
Hello! I’m Ibrahim, the owner and writer of this blog. I run a chicken farm with 160 chickens, and I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about raising and caring for them. Now, I want to share my insights and experiences with you to help you in chicken keeping.
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