Araucana

Originally from Chile, they were responsible for the blue egg craze. Two distinctive features are tufts – feathers that protrude from around the neck and no tail feathers which gives the impression of no rump. The same gene that provides the tufts also is the cause for many chicks to die during incubation. Smaller sized birds generally about 5lbs, so not great for dual purpose. In the winter they tend to take a break from egg laying but as it warms, just in time for Easter, they begin again. And because of the difficult in breeding and lower egg production, the Easter Egger and Americauna quickly became way more popular for the backyard enthusiast. Many hatcheries do not carry this breed making this bird is difficult to find except for the most enthusiastic breeder working to develop this breed.