Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
means. They're tiny dinosaurs, always foraging and on the hunt for a stray caterpillar
outside the garden fence.
Rhode Island Reds are rarely broody, so don't depend on them to hatch future chickens.
However, what they lack in domestication they make up for tenfold in consistent egg
production. They're a great, useful, and colorful character on the farm, which is where
these birds belong. They can handle confinement and small lots, but they truly shine on
open pasture and old fence posts.
AMERAUCANA
THISBREEDCOMESBYWAYOFSOUTHAMERICANPARENTSTOCK im-
ported in the 1930s called the Araucana. In the 1970s American fanciers started devel-
oping the bird that many of us know and love today, so the name was adapted to its new
Yankee home: Ameraucana. Hens are midsize with beautiful, variegated plumage and
slate or green feet. They have pu#y cheeks (“muffs”) and large eyes that remind you
more of birds of prey than a chicken. Ameraucanas also have a coo and a cluck unique
to their breed. They seem to hum and trill while the other birds around them squawk and
clatter. Get a motley crew together and you'll see what I mean: those girls' songs really
stand out! They are a lot like Rhode Island Reds in their metabolism and activity level
but far milder in noise levels and calmer in your hands.
Rhode Island Red hen at left and Jersey Giant hen at right
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