Ameraucana chickens
Raised by the Araucana Indians in the Arauca region of Chile, this breed was discovered by the missionaries in the 1500’s. It is believed that the Araucana descends from the wild jungle fowl that was domesticated long ago. Araucanas still exist in the wild in the Amazon basin and pockets of the Andes range.

The breed was later developed in Great Britain and the US, the first Araucana arriving in England in the early 1920’s and then imported to the US in the 1930’s. The Araucana’s popularity stems from its beautiful blue-green eggs.

The Ameraucana was created in the US in the 1970’s. Still laying its beautiful blue-green eggs, the Ameraucana differs from its’ descendents in that it now possesses a tail, has a beard and muff instead of ear tufts and is larger and heavier for meat production.

These birds are unique as they come in a wide variety of colours which are mostly all present in each rooster’s genes: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaton, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, White. The hens average 5.5 lb. and the roosters 6.5 lb. They have a small pea comb, wattles are very small or absent. Legs are slate-coloured. They are a good dual-purpose chicken laying a good quantity of large beautiful shades of turquoise eggs. They are inquisitive, friendly, docile birds.

Deleware Chickens
Originally called ‘Indian Rivers’ by George Ellis who developed the bird for the broiler market in Delaware in 1940. The breed originated from crossing Barred Plymouth Rock roosters with New Hampshire hens. The Delawares remained the broiler bird of choice for almost 20 years because of the Delaware’s ability to produce offspring with predominately white feathering. In the late 1950’s the Cornish x Rock (solid white) came into being which gradually dominated the broiler industry.

The Delaware is an excellent dual-purpose bird with a calm & friendly disposition. The breed is noted for its rapid growth and fast feathering of the chicks. Roosters can reach 8 lb. & hens 6 lb. They have a single comb with 5 distinct points, their legs and feet are yellow. An attractive bird, as the body is white with grey pencilled feathering on the neck and tail. They pullets develop quickly and are good early layers (large dark brown eggs) that carry on through the cold dark winter.

Delaware males may be mated to New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red females and produce chicks of the Delaware colour pattern. New Hampshire & Rhode Island Red males mated to New Hampshire females produce sex-linked offspring: the males having the Delaware colour pattern & the females having the solid red colour of the sires. Chicks from this second cross can even be sexed by their down colour when hatched.