Olive egger vs Ameraucana: The 9 Amazing Differences!

Raising pet chickens is getting very popular thing these days. There are lots of chicken breeds that are kept as pets at home or backyard, but in this post, we are going to make differentiate between two popular breeds; Olive Egger Vs Ameraucana.

Olive egger Vs Ameraucana Chickens

Olive Egger and Ameraucana chickens are both popular choices for backyard chicken keepers. They are both known for their beautiful blue eggs, but there are some key differences between the two breeds. Here is a simple table which comparing Olive Egger Vs Ameraucana chickens:

Feature	Olive Egger Chicken	Ameraucana Chicken
Egg Color	Greenish-Olive	Blue or Green
Egg Production	Moderate (around 150-200/year)	Moderate (around 150-200/year)
Appearance	Various colors due to mixed lineage	Distinctive look with puffy cheeks
Temperament	Friendly and easy to handle	Calm and docile
Origin	Crossbreed of brown and blue layers	Recognized breed with fluffy cheeks
Special Traits	Unique egg color	Beard and muff, blue/green egg layers
Suitable For	Families, beginners	Families, beginners

Are Olive Egger and Ameraucana the same?

No, Olive Egger and Ameraucana are not the same breed of chicken. Olive Eggers are a hybrid breed, meaning they are the result of crossing two different breeds of chickens. The most common breeds used to create Olive Eggers are Ameraucanas and Marans.

On the other hand, Ameraucanas are a purebred breed of chicken. Ameraucanas are recognized by poultry organizations and have breed standards that define their characteristics, including their comb type, leg color, and overall appearance.

1) Breed Origin

A) Olive Egger:

The exact origin of the Olive Egger is unknown, but it is thought to have originated in the United States in the early 1900s. The first Olive Eggers were likely created by crossing Ameraucanas with other blue egg-laying breeds, such as Araucanas and Cream Legbars.

B) Ameraucana:

The Ameraucana is a purebred chicken breed that originated in the Andes mountains of South America. Ameraucanas were first brought to the United States in the early 1900s, and they were recognized as an official breed by the American Poultry Association in 1978.

2) Temperament

Both Olive Egger and Ameraucana chickens are known for their friendly temperaments. However, there are some key differences in their personalities.

A) Olive Egger:

Olive Eggers are known for their friendly in nature. They are sociable birds that loves to being around humans and enjoy interaction. They are often easy to handle and are not typically aggressive, which adds to their appeal as pets. This all makes them a great choice for families or for beginners in chicken keeping.

B) Ameraucana:

Ameraucanas are also known for their calm and polite temperaments. They are gentle and friendly birds that are generally behaved good around people. These chickens also will be excellent additions to a backyard flock. Their calm nature can contribute to a peaceful chicken coop environment.

3) Physical Characteristics

Physical characteristics or appearance differences between Olive Egger Vs Ameraucana chickens are mainly depends on their parent breeds. Here’s a simplified comparison of their appearances:

A) Olive Egger:

Olive Egger chickens can come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, brown, and white. They may have feathered feet and muffs (feathers around the face). The feather patterns of Olive Eggers can be very diverse, and some chickens may have a mix of colors.

B) Ameraucana:

Ameraucanas have some unique features, chickens are typically black, blue, buff, or white. They may have muffs (feathers around the face) and beards. They are medium in sized with a round body shape, and they typically have a single comb and slate or black legs.

4) Egg Production and Egg Color:

Olive Egger and Ameraucana chickens are both good egg layers. Here are some additional details about the egg production and egg color of Olive Egger Vs Ameraucana chickens:

A) Olive Egger:

Olive Egger chickens typically start laying eggs at around 6 months of age. They will lay eggs throughout the year, Olive Eggers typically lay about 180-200 eggs per year, and they produce unique greenish-olive color of eggs. The eggs of Olive Egger chickens are typically medium in sized.

B) Ameraucana:

Ameraucana chickens typically start laying eggs at around 7 months of age. Ameraucanas lay about 150-180 eggs per year. But what makes them extra special is the color of their eggs, their eggs are typically deep blue or sometimes green in color with medium in sized.

5) Chicks Color, Size and Price:

A) Olive Egger:

Olive Egger chicks can be a variety of colors, including black, blue, brown, gray, and white. They may also have markings such as speckles, stripes, or lacing. Chicks are typically medium-sized, typically cost between $5 and $10 each.

B) Ameraucana:

Ameraucana chicks are typically blue or black, but they can also be white or brown. They may also have markings such as muffs, beards, and feathered legs. while Ameraucana chicks are typically small to medium-sized and cost between $10 and $15 each.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between Olive Egger Vs Ameraucana chicks:

Feature	Olive Egger	Ameraucana
Color	Varies, including black, blue, brown, gray, and white	Typically blue or black, but can also be white or brown
Size	Medium	Small to medium
Price	$5-$10	$10-$15
Egg color	Olive green	Blue
Feathered legs	May or may not have	Usually has
Muffs and beards	May or may not have	Always has

7) Hardiness and Health

Olive Egger and Ameraucana chickens are both considered to be hardy breeds, means that they are well-suited to a variety of climates or different environmental conditions. However, there are few potential health problems that can affect both the chickens. These include:

• Marek’s disease:
• Infectious Bronchitis:
• Fowl Pox
• Coccidiosis etc.

Read More About: Most Common Chicken Diseases

8) Lifespan of Olive Egger and Ameraucana:

The lifespan of both Olive Egger and Ameraucana chickens is typically between 5 and 8 years. However, some chickens can live for up to 10 years or more. The lifespan of a chicken can affected by different factors, including their breed quality, diet and other health conditions.

A) Olive Egger:

Olive Egger chickens are a hybrid breed. This can make it difficult to predict their lifespan, as it is depending on the parent breeds. However, Olive Egger chickens are considered to be hardy and healthy, they can typically live for 5-8 years.

B) Ameraucana:

Ameraucana chickens are a purebred breed, and they have a relatively consistent lifespan. Most Ameraucana chickens can live for 5-8 years, with some can live up to 10 years. These chickens are also considered to be hardy and healthy.

9) Broodiness

Both Olive Egger and Ameraucana chickens are known for being broody, meaning that they will sit on their eggs and hatch them. However, broodiness can be a problem for chicken keepers, as it can interfere the egg production.

If a hen is got broody than, she will stop laying eggs and will focus on sitting on her nest. This can be frustrating for chicken keepers who are hoping to get more eggs from their hens.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are looking for a chicken that lays olive green eggs, then an Olive Egger is a good choice. If you are looking for a chicken that is friendly and polite, then either an Olive Egger or an Ameraucana would be a good choice.

If you are concerned about broodiness, it is best to choose Olive Egger chickens over Ameraucana chickens. Ultimately, deciding between Olive Egger and Ameraucana chickens that depends on your specific preferences and goals for raising chickens.

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