Araucana
Egg layerChile
The original blue-egg layer, the Araucana descends from chickens kept by the Mapuche people of Chile. In its standardized American form it's rumpless — no tail at all — with quirky ear tufts sprouting from each side of the head. It's a rare, historic breed that rewards patient keepers.
Eggs per year
140–180
Egg color
Blue
Egg size
Medium
Hen weight
4–5 lbs
Temperament
Alert and self-sufficient
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
The gene behind the Araucana's ear tufts is lethal when a chick inherits two copies, which is a big part of why the breed remains so rare.
Araucana egg production
Expect roughly 140–180 blue eggs a year from a Araucana in her prime — about 3 a week, or 12–15 dozen over the course of a year. That's a moderate, steady output rather than a record-setting one. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Araucana is generally described as alert and self-sufficient. They tend to be active, alert foragers that would rather be busy in the run than sitting in your lap, so give them space and things to do.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Araucana rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Araucanahen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Araucana hen is a medium-sized bird at 4–5 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Araucana right for you?
A great fit if…
- You'd like blue eggs in the basket
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
- You keep chickens in a hot climate
Think twice if…
- You want the most low-maintenance possible first bird
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
- You want a lap chicken that loves being handled
Araucana FAQ
- How many eggs do Araucana chickens lay?
- A healthy Araucana hen lays about 140–180 blue eggs a year — roughly 3 a week, or 12–15 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Araucanas lay?
- Araucanas lay blue eggs, medium in size.
- How big do Araucana chickens get?
- A Araucana hen weighs roughly 4–5 lbs — a medium-sized bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Araucanas cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Araucana is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Araucanas good for beginners?
- The Araucana is alert and self-sufficient and tends to suit keepers with a little experience more than absolute beginners.
- Do Araucana hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Araucana hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
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Keeping Araucanas?
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