Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The real show-pony feature on this bird isn't its voice or feathers but its eggs.
Ameraucanas have forever left their mark on the cottage-egg industry because these
little girls lay the famous Easter eggs: blue, green, and pink. To come out to the coop and
see a small, blue jewel between the cream, brown, and chocolate-colored eggs is a treat
I never get tired of. Customers (once they get over the mild shock and realize how tasty
they are) seem to covet them as well. When I deliver a dozen eggs to friends and they
see their green or blue egg, they ask questions they didn't realize they even wanted to
know about chickens. I don't think my farm's Ameraucana intended to do any PR work
in her daily laying, but she sure has.
Ameraucana rooster
JERSEY GIANT
FROM THE GARDEN STATE ITSELF,
the Jersey Giant is a contented bird in any
coop setting. Just keep in mind that these are big girls. Real big. See the photo on page
27 for a visual comparison to a Rhode Island Red, which is a fairly averagesize chicken.
Jersey Giant hens are easily over 10 pounds, and roosters can outstride small children. If
your coop space is limited, you can easily get four Ameraucanas in the space needed by
two of these girls. But if you have a free-ranging flock, they'll make a great home team.
Like many of the heavy breeds, they're calm and docile. Jersey Giants are easy to
handle and fairly quiet. (In fact, I don't think I've ever heard any of mine ever make
