Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Dual-Purpose Breeds
Dual-purpose breeds are just that—the breeds of chicken that can do more than one thing well.
While most of the breeds don't lay as many eggs as the egg layers, and they might not grow as
quickly as the meat breeds, these dual-purpose breeds can usually do both things adequately. They
often have other qualities that can be of benefit on the homestead such as good foraging skills,
calm temperaments, or acting as good mothers able to rear their own offspring.
Ameraucana.
One of my favorites, I love these friendly and docile birds that are known for laying
blue eggs. Often confused with Araucana chickens, the Ameraucanas have ear muffs and tail
feathers. (Araucana chickens, which also lay blue eggs, have ear tufts and no tail feathers.) They
are good egg producers, laying three eggs a week average, and grow to a medium size of 6 to 7
pounds. Because they are bred for feathered ornaments of ear tufts, and for the blue egg-laying
gene, Ameraucanas come in eight varieties of colors including wheaten, white, black, blue, silver,
and brown.
One of my Ameraucana hens with her endearing and comical ear muffs.
Araucana.
Araucana chickens are another blue egg-laying breed and they have ear tufts but no
tails (called rumpless). Araucanas don't lay as many eggs as other breeds (about three a week on
average) and end up slightly smaller at about 5 pounds. They are very good brooders and their pea
