"Standard" bred means a breed has been bred to be as close to what a written Standard describes it as for characteristics including weight, shape, and many other traits. Poultry Standards for North America are published by both the American Bantam Association (ABA) and the American Poultry Association (APA). The ABA's BANTAM STANDARD only deals with bantam (miniature) chickens and ducks. The APA's AMERICAN STANDARD OF PERFECTION covers all "recognized" or accepted poultry. Note: Ameraucana bantam and large fowl chickens are both "standard" chickens when they meet a Standard's breed descriptions. Definitions: Cock (C) = a male one year old or more, Hen (H) = a female one year old or more, Cockerel (K) = a male less than a year old, Pullet (P) = a female less than a year old.
©American Poultry Association, Inc. * “Permission to make quotations from the test of this book is granted solely for the purpose of dissemination of knowledge, provided proper credit is cited.” The following information is comprised of excerpts from The American Standard of Perfection*, 1998, and has been edited to comply with copyright provisions. This is not a complete breed description. For a complete description of all recognized breeds and varieties of domestic poultry always refer to the American Standard of Perfection which is available through the American Poultry Association.
Ameraucana Bantam Chickens
Ameraucana bantams are in the APA “All Other Combs Clean Legged” (AOCCL) class of chickens. They were developed in the 1970’s in the United States and lay eggs with blue shells. They were admitted to the ABA & APA Standards in the years noted, below, after each variety's name. Disqualifications include presence of ear tufts and absence of beard & muffs.
Standard weights for Bantam Ameraucana Chickens - disqualified if more than 20% over or under weight
Cock……………….30 oz. (1.875 lbs.) Hen…………….….26 oz. (1.625 lbs.)
Cockerel…………..26 oz. (1.625 lbs.) Pullet……………..24 oz. (1.5 lbs.)
The APA Recognizes Eight Varieties (feather colors/patterns) of Bantam Ameraucana Chickens and the ABA recognizes Ten Varieties of Bantam Ameraucana Chickens
Black (ABA=1983, APA=1984), Blue (ABA=1983, APA=1984), Blue Wheaten (ABA=1983, APA=1984), Brown Red (ABA=1983, APA=1984), Buff (ABA=1983, APA=1984), Self-Blue (ABA=2021), Silver (ABA=1983, APA=1984), Splash (ABA=2022), Wheaten (ABA=1980, APA=1984), & White (ABA=1980, APA=1984)
Ameraucana Large Fowl Chickens
Ameraucana large fowl are in the APA “All Other Standard Breeds” (AOSB) class of chickens. They were admitted to the APA Standard in the years noted, below, after each varieties name. Ameraucana is a general purpose fowl and has a distinctive blue eggshell coloration. Disqualifications include presence of ear tufts and absence of beard & muffs.
Standard weights for Large Fowl Ameraucana Chickens - disqualified if more than 20% over or under weight
Cock………………6½ lbs. Hen……………….5½ lbs.
Cockerel………….5½ lbs. Pullet……………..4½ lbs.
The APA Recognizes Ten Varieties (feather colors/patterns) of Large Fowl Ameraucana Chickens
Black (APA=1984), Blue (APA=1984), Blue Wheaten (APA=1984), Brown Red (APA=1984), Buff (APA=1984), Self Blue (APA=2020), Silver (APA=1984), Splash (APA=2023), Wheaten (APA=1984) & White (APA=1984)
Ameraucana Shape (Bantam & Large Fowl Males)
COMB: Pea.
BEAK: Curved.
FACE: Nearly hidden by muffs.
EYES: Expressive.
WATTLES: Small, preferably absent.
EARLOBES: Small.
MUFFS AND BEARD: Full, well-rounded, medium length.
HEAD: Medium size.
NECK: Well-arched.
HACKLE: Full.
BACK: Medium length.
SADDLE: Medium in length.
TAIL: Well spread, medium length, carried at 45º above horizontal.
WINGS: Fairly large, tips carried above the hock joint.
BREAST: Prominent.
BODY AND STEARN: Body of medium length, stern well-tucked up.
LEGS AND TOES: Medium length set apart, four toes
Ameraucana Shape (Bantam & Large Fowl Females)
COMB: Pea.
BEAK: Curved.
FACE: Nearly hidden by muffs.
EYES: Expressive.
WATTLES: Small, preferably absent.
EARLOBES: Small.
MUFFS AND BEARD: Full, well-rounded, medium length.
HEAD: Medium size.
NECK: Medium length.
HACKLE: Full.
BACK: Medium length.
CUSHION: Moderate.
TAIL: Medium length, well spread, carried at 40º angle above horizontal.
WINGS: Fairly prominent, carried above the hock joint.
BREAST: Full.
BODY AND STEARN: Full but trim, fluff well-tucked up.
LEGS AND TOES: Medium length, four toes.
APA Standard Committee, 2020: " This breed was created in the 1970's and 1980's in the North Central region of the United States by refining hatchery-quality colored egg layers into Standard-recognized color varieties with uniform and distinctive features. The final refinement of large fowl Ameraucanas followed that of Ameraucana bantams, which were bred with a greater level of consistency earlier in the breeds development. This breed lays eggs with blue shell pigmentation with a medium pastel blue being the ideal. The Ameraucana is a practical fowl of moderation with no individual section being extreme or out of balance. Eight varieties of Ameraucana were admitted to the Standard in 1984, and the Self Blue variety was admitted in 2020. "