Description
Black Ameraucana Chicken
Breed History and Origin
The large fowl Black Ameraucana is one of the most popular American Poultry Association recognized varieties and is consistently one of the most successful in exhibition. Developed in the United States and recognized by the American Standard of Perfection in 1984, this breed is valued for both its appearance and its ability to lay true blue eggs.
Cackle Hatchery® sourced its original seedstock from John W. Blehm of Michigan in 2014, the original developer of the Ameraucana breed. Since then, Cackle Hatchery® has continued refining its own bloodline or strain of production-type Black Ameraucanas since 2015, with a strong focus on egg color quality and overall bird consistency.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
The Black Ameraucana is known for its clean, solid black feathering, slate-colored legs, and signature Ameraucana traits including a beard and muffs. These birds have a well-balanced, medium build, with mature roosters averaging around 6 1/2 pounds and hens around 5 1/2 pounds. While chicks may show some white feathering early on, this is normal and typically resolves into solid black plumage by around six months of age.
This variety is considered the most consistent and competitive in the show ring, often aligning closely with what judges are looking for in both structure and presentation.
Egg Production and Broodiness
Black Ameraucanas are valued for their ability to lay blue-shelled eggs, typically producing around 180–200 medium to large eggs per year under good conditions. Cackle Hatchery® selects for the bluest egg shells possible, though a small percentage of eggs may appear in lighter blue to green shades.
They are slower to mature compared to many production breeds and usually begin laying around 9 months of age. This breed is considered non-broody, making them better suited for consistent egg production rather than natural hatching. Fertility typically ranges from 65–80%, with a recommended mating ratio of approximately nine females to one male.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
Black Ameraucanas are active and somewhat flighty birds, making them better suited for backyard keepers with some experience rather than first-time owners expecting highly docile chickens. They do well in free-range or larger run environments and prefer higher roosting areas, typically above 4 feet.
While not aggressive, they are more independent than some backyard breeds, making them a good choice for those looking for a hardy, self-sufficient layer rather than a pet-focused bird.
Production Positioning and Exhibition Use
This breed offers a balanced combination of production and exhibition value. It is a strong blue egg layer for backyard flocks while also being one of the most competitive Ameraucana varieties in poultry shows. Buyers should note that this is not a high-production hybrid but rather a heritage-style bird with moderate production and strong breed characteristics.
Breeding Note / Color Note
Newbie Note: Some white feathers appear in the first and second stage feathering, which is normal. But by the sixth month the black Ameraucana chicken will have solid black feathers.
Cackle Hatchery® breeds specifically for blue egg color, but some genetic variation may result in lighter blue or slightly green eggs.
Please note that this breed has an inherent genetic beak issue. Approximately 1 out of 100 chicks may develop scissor beak (cross beak), where the upper and lower beak do not align properly. This condition can worsen as the bird matures.
NOTE: Ameraucana chicks are more difficult to vent sex accurately. Gender accuracy typically ranges from 75–80%, which is lower than the industry average.
Related Resources
Check out our blog “Blue Egg Chicken: Ameraucana or Americana?” https://www.cacklehatchery.com/blue-egg-chicken-ameraucana-or-americana/
Jeff Smith & Cackle Hatchery is a member of the Ameraucana Alliance Club
For more information about the Ameraucana club, links to https://ameraucanaalliance.org/ and https://ameraucana.org/
FAQ
When do Black Ameraucana chickens start laying eggs?
They typically begin laying later than most breeds, around 8–9 months of age.
Do Black Ameraucanas lay true blue eggs?
Yes, they are bred for blue eggs, though a small percentage may lay light green shades.
Are Black Ameraucanas good for beginners?
They can be kept by beginners but are more active and independent than docile backyard breeds.
Why is vent sexing less accurate for this breed?
Ameraucanas are harder to sex at hatch, resulting in about 75–80% accuracy.
Do Black Ameraucanas go broody?
No, they are generally non-setters and not reliable for hatching eggs.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Amber Clowney –
Hands down the very best disposition of all of the chickens I’ve had. I have a 4-5yo rooster from here & he is the sweetest rooster I’ve ever had. He is a gentleman to the hens & has never attacked people. He also doesn’t crow very much & is absolutely gorgeous! The hens are all very sweet & friendly. Y’all must be breeding for personality because these are excellent chickens. They’re also gorgeous. Definitely my favorite breed & hatchery.
jenniferkpower –
Received all healthy chicks. They are 7 months old now and true to the breed standard. They just started laying very blue eggs. Very pleased with this order
saramiera –
My black Americana named Cinders, has green eyes!! She’s super sweet and calm too!!
saramiera –
I was going to wait until she started laying to write a review but really, I can’t wait even that long. My Black Americana pullet is beautiful, sweet, calm, and a good free-ranger. Her black feathers shine a pretty teal color in the sunlight. She has a full beard and muffs and is our snuggler of our chicks. I’ve heard that Americanas develop more slowly but out of our mixed flock, she has developed the quickest. She is the biggest and most developed out of our Easter Eggers, Speckled Sussex, Delaware, Dominique, and Buff Orpingtons!! I can’t wait to see her blue eggs!!
jessicacohen2021 –
Cackle sent me a Black Ameraucana hen by accident last summer. She has surprisingly outperformed all the other hens, laying 5-6 eggs a week during the coldest, darkest part of the winter (January). The eggs are a darker shade of blue than the Easter Eggers’. She is very quiet (never heard a sound from her), and stays out of trouble. Very impressed.
Tia –
Friendly but very broody
Got 3 black Ameraucanas in 2019. They didn’t look like each other (different eye color and one didn’t have beard and muffs). The egg color is beautiful bright blue. They are flighty until they start laying. They get super friendly and they get broody and lay literally half of the year. That took a toll in their health It is still my fav breed of chicken.
Rebecca –
Sociable
My very first flock of chickens arrived in April 2018 from Cackle Hatchery was made up of 27 chicks. The MOST social pullet of all of them was a Black Ameraucana I named “Raven.” Raven knows her name and will come out from the flock when I call her! 🙂
Amber k –
No eggs yet!
I was going to give these 1 star based on the fact that they are 11 months old and they have still not laid 1 single egg!!! And eggs is the whole reason we get chickens right? But I decided to give them 3 stars because they are pretty birds. I have 6 of them, 3 black and 3 blue… I think they are way over priced, and awful layers, I have been breeding chickens for many years and know that americaunas take longer to lay (26-30 weeks) but this is just ridiculous!
Chicken Jane –
So Sweet
I have had EE’s, Marans (black copper and cuckoo), olive eggers, and legbars. But the absolutely sweetest personalities are in my black Ameraucanas. From here forward I will always have black Ameraucanas in my
flock—they are beautiful and affectionate!
Terresa –
Sweetest dispositions
One female is only 5 weeks old and comes to be pet every time I walk into the brooding coop. She perches on your fingers without even thinking of leaving 🙂
Love my hen! –
Black ameraucana
Ordered straight run and got one hen. She is priceless!! Lays large beautiful blue eggs. She’s very vocal, comes up and asks for feed every morning. I’ll be ordering 3 more!
Eva –
Great birds but not standard
Great birds. Develop slow but lay beautiful bright blue eggs at around 7-8 months of age. A few of them do not look like the others. One didn’t develop beard and muffs, the other had black eyes… hoping Cackle works on the standard SOP breeding so they can charge the full price. Birds are lovely and healthy regardless, thy just can’t be used for showing.
Katie –
Friendliest
My black Ameraucana girls just started laying beautiful blue eggs. They started laying later than the rest, but the eggs are a beautiful shade of blue. It was well worth the wait as these girls are by far the friendliest in my flock.
Becky (verified owner) –
Love Them
Very beautiful birds, healthy, and very friendly. They start out laying large blue eggs, no small starters lol.. I can’t wait to order more!
Charlene –
In love
My black Ameraucanas are 16 weeks old and they are lovely and tame. They do well in the coop all day and are great foragers when we let them out in the afternoon. I ordered all my chicks from you because I specifically wanted these birds so much. I can’t wait til they start laying, but I know I need to be patient. My leghorns’ combs are reddening up already, so at least I will have white eggs while I wait. I can’t wait to see the blue egg color. Thank you for these splendid, gorgeous birds. Their beards are so fluffy, to die for!
Sheri –
All girls
I just want pullets, all girls, no boys.
Saige –
Amazing birds
These birds are beautiful and produce lots of eggs. These are some of my favorite ckickens☺
Chris Newton of Canterbury, CT –
New offering of True strain black Ameraucanas. When will you be able to offer the option to purchase day old pullets instead of only straight run. This will be a HUGE advantage for you compared to the other commercial hatcheries. Thanks so much!
I am SOO excited to see you as one of the only commercial hatcheries offering the true strain black Ameraucanas. When will you be able to start offering sexed black day old pullets instead of straight run. This would really differiniate you all by providing this option from the rest. They will need to be vent sexed, but because they are slow growing you cannot tell the pullets from the cockerels until about 4-5 months. Will you be able to offer sexed day old pullets next season please???? 🙂
Julia Missouri July 2012 –
Smith Family
Liked you chicken YouTube videos