Easter Eggers are a delightful chicken breed that could also easily have been named Lucky Packets. These friendly birds are a mixed bag of genetics and physical characteristics, and until they start laying, owners can never be sure what color eggs they will be adding to their egg tray. It is an exciting chicken ownership adventure perfect for novice and experienced owners.
While they are not a recognized breed, Easter Eggers have become common additions to chicken coops across the country. As a poultry owner of more than four decades, I have seen the rapid increase in popularity of these multicolor egg layers. As a veterinarian, I appreciate their robust good health. Let’s find out why these little crossbreeds are taking the poultry world by storm and if they are the right breed to add to your coop.
So, What Are Easter Egger Chickens?
Rather than one breed on its own, the term Easter Eggers (EEs) is a blanket term that can include a merry mix of other breeds, with one discerning feature – their eggs are characteristically an assortment of pastel shades. These can vary from pink to light yellow, green, creams, or light blue.
Basically, if you see chicks advertised as ‘Easter Eggers’ or something like Americana, or Americauna, you are likely to get happy-go-lucky, medium-sized chickens with very few health issues and sweet temperaments. Take note that there is no ‘i’ in Ameraucana, which is a specific breed of chicken that lays blue-shelled eggs. EEs and true Ameraucana chickens are not the same.
The great thing about owning chickens is that some breeds can also be affectionate pets in addition to supplying a healthy supply of eggs. While EEs birds may never win any ‘best-of-breed’ ribbons at poultry shows since there is no accepted standard of perfection, they are highly likely to win their owners’ hearts with their friendly nature and beautiful array of colorful eggs.
History
The chicken variety commonly referred to as Easter Eggers has vague origins. Since it technically isn’t an actual breed, no one knows when these fowls were christened with their charming, descriptive name.
Birds marketed as Easter Eggers are hybrids that have ancestors that include either Araucanas or Ameraucanas. Both these recognized breeds carry the blue-shell egg gene, which has been carried along to all their descendants – whether they are noble blue-blood breeds or not.
Easter eggers have become the backyard chicken breed of choice for owners wanting colored eggs without a lot of added fuss. Unlike Araucanas that are predisposed to hatching challenges, or Ameraucanas that prefer not to be picked up or cuddled, the crisscross breeding with different chicken breeds knocked all the finickety edges off the ancestors. The result is friendly, hardy birds that produce a mixed palette of pastel color eggs.
Easter Egger Chickens: Appearance
Easter Eggers are highly likely to look like a mixed batch in your chicken coop. Some may have tails, others none. A few may have beards and muffs, and you might even find one or two with ear tufts.
There is no breed standard of perfection for EEs, and accordingly, the American Poultry Association does not recognize them. However, since they are distantly related to Araucanas or Ameraucanas, a few physical traits may come through in a flock of EEs.
Some physical features that may be evident in a flock of Easter Eggers:
- Earmuffs or beards
- May have ear tufts
- Lack of tails
- Small pea combs
- Wattle may be tiny or non-existent
- Very little consistency in size, shape, and color within a group
Take note that the above are only possible features – a chicken can be classed as an Easter Egger without displaying any of the above features if it is a mixed breed that lays unusual colored eggs. Since EEs are a mixed bag of breeds, all sorts of unexpected physical variations are possible. Like all animals and humans, individual chickens may physically take more after one side of the family than the other.
Colors
There is no set standard and loads of variation when it comes to Easter Egger colors. Unlike their Araucana and Ameraucana ancestors, which have very specific breed standards, there is absolutely no expectation for EEs.
The color of everything from their feathers to the combs, earlobes, wattles, and legs can be whatever their individual genes dictate. They are a perfect ‘breed’ for casual backyard poultry owners that want a cheerful shabby-chic-looking flock that will lay gorgeous eggs.





Easter Egger Weight And Size
Easter Eggers aren’t recognized by the APA or the American Bantam Association, so they can be any size. The pressure is off for these little chickens who prefer to spend their days foraging for snacks than competing for rosettes at poultry shows.
Poultry owners who want dual-purpose meat birds should be cautious choosing Easter Eggers. Standard-size adult birds could vary in weight from 4 – 8 lbs which are considerably different if you need a table bird.
Easter Egger Rooster Vs. Hen? How To Tell The Difference
The only way to tell EE day-old chicks apart would be by vent sexing. Some breeders can do this reasonably reliably, but it is rarely 100% accurate, so expect to find a few extra little roosters in each batch of hens you order.
Unlike their Ameraucana cousins, which are autosexing (that means it is possible to tell the difference between the boys and girls shortly after hatching just from their colors), EEs are too much of a hybrid mix to display any particular physical traits consistently. Sometimes owners have to wait until their chicks start crowing or laying to be absolutely certain whether they have little Arthurs or Marthas.
As they mature, some physical differences may become apparent. You can also look for more rooster-associated behavior from a few months of age. Although both sexes display play-fighting behavior from a few weeks of age, little roos may face each and hop about more often than the girls.
There is no standard appearance for Easter Eggers, so all physical differences to look out for between the sexes must be generalized. However, if you see a flock of mature EEs, you will notice these immediate differences between mature roosters and hens.
Roosters | Hens |
---|---|
Usually, roosters are a little larger than hens if they are from the same batch. | They may be slightly smaller than roosters from the same batch |
Will develop spurs | May have leg nubs but do not grow long leg spurs |
Longer hackle and saddle feathers | More even-length feathers |
May have larger, more pronounced combs | Combs are smaller |
Begin to crow when they mature | Lay eggs when mature |
Egg Production: Are Easter Egger Chickens Good Layers?
Colorful chicken eggs have become very trendy. The days of simply acquiring laying birds that will provide a steady supply of table eggs are long gone. Easter Egger chicks are inexpensive and give all poultry owners the opportunity to add some spring colors to their egg baskets.
Easter Eggers are popular egg layers that can provide a steady supply, usually around 3 to 4 per week. Most Easter Eggers will produce around 200 – 250 large eggs – however, egg size is heavily dependent on the physical size of the individual hens. Some sources will provide numbers above 250 eggs per annum, but those are often breeders trying to encourage sales.
Like all chicken breeds, laying may slow down, or many even halt entirely during winter and the annual molt. EEs are cold, hardy birds that are excellent for cool winter regions, but they do require sufficient light and a balanced calcium-rich laying feed to produce eggs to their full potential.
What Color Eggs Do Easter Eggers Lay?
Although Easter Eggers can be attractive birds, especially if they have funny little Santa beards and hawk eyes, their appeal for most poultry owners lies in their hardiness and the delightful shades of the eggs they produce. Unlike Araucana and Ameraucana, which consistently lay pale, blue-shelled eggs, because EEs are mixed with other breeds, they may deliver an assortment of interesting shades.
Getting an assortment of colors in the daily egg collection basket will require several Easter Egger hens. Each hen only has one color setting – it cannot switch colors. Egg color is predetermined, and blue eggs are the result of a gene called oocyan, which is present on one of the chicken’s chromosomes.
Easter Egger eggs can range from pink, cream, brown, or blue. There is also a variety called an Olive Easter Egger, which produces green-shelled eggs. These fancy-pants EE hens are usually the result of crossing Araucanas or Ameraucanas with a breed that lays ultra-dark shade eggs like Marans chickens.
Interestingly, while all eggs, regardless of the outside color, have similar nutritional value, the inside color of the shells varies. Here is some interesting egg-color trivia for prospective EE owners:
- Brown and cream eggs are white on the inside.
- Blue egg shells are 100% blue all the way through. So even the inside of the eggshell is blue.
- Green eggs (from Olive Easter Eggers) are blue on the inside. That’s because they started off blue and had a layer of brown coated over the top, so they appear green on the outside.





What Age Do Easter Eggers Lay?
Laying age is usually around 6 months. Sometimes they may be a month or two older or a tiny bit younger when they start laying. The first eggs are always highly anticipated as owners will finally know what color eggs each EE hen will produce.
Eggs also gradually become larger with age – like all chicken breeds, the first eggs from a young Easter Egger hen may even be fairy eggs. The color may be a little darker, to begin with, or immediately after the molt.
Are Easter Egger Chickens Broody?
Easter Egger hens may have mad skills when it comes to laying beautiful eggs, but they don’t often seem too keen to hatch them. Motherhood isn’t high on their agenda most of the time, so EE owners who produce fertile eggs may need to rely on a surrogate hen mom of another breed or an incubator to enjoy the pitter-patter of tiny Easter Egger chick feet. If you find your Easter-Egger overly broody check out my article here.
Personality
There is no way to predict Easter Egger behavior to a high degree of accuracy because they are a mixed bag. While the majority are loveable and friendly mutts, like most families, there is always that one weird cousin that is the black sheep (chicken) of the clan and could behave unpredictably.
While Easter Eggers, for the most part, have an excellent reputation for being sweet and friendly, owners should always keep in mind that there is no breed standard. Some of these birds that lay gorgeous pastel eggs could have inherited the more confrontational genes of a long distant crazy bantam uncle or aunt.
Most poultry owners report that their Easter Eggers are excellent pets; some even enjoy being carried around or cuddled. This makes them a great option, especially for families with young children.
Are Easter Egger Chickens Aggressive?
Most Easter Eggers are docile, sweet, and friendly. In fact, in multi-breed flocks, owners must keep an eye on their EE girls to ensure more assertive breeds don’t pick on them.
However, as mentioned, the only consistent feature about EE chickens is that they will be a mixed bag of genes. That means it is possible to occasionally come across a bird that looks like an EE mix but identifies and behaves like an angry Wyandotte.
Fortunately, this is rare. Easter eggers are not often aggressive birds, and they try to stay out of trouble. Like all chicken breeds, so long as the ratio of hens per rooster is maintained carefully, there should be peace in the yard. Easter eggers are also well known as happy foragers, and angry behavior is more likely to occur if they are frustrated from being kept penned.
Are Easter Egger Chickens Friendly?
Most Easter Eggers are friendly, lovable mixes that provide their owners with plenty of entertainment. They have become popular not only because of their beautiful eggs but also because of their amicable temperament.
Easter Eggers are excellent for families with young children or first-time poultry owners. When raised from small chicks, EEs may willingly sit on their owner’s lap or follow them around for treats. They are usually energetic and inquisitive.
Are They Good For Novice Chicken Keepers?
Easter eggs are an egg-cellent choice for novice chicken owners! They are not only agreeable birds that lay pretty colored eggs, but they are also uncomplicated hardy birds.
Let’s check out a list of pros and cons to decide if EEs are the best choice for your coop. As you can see from the list, there are a lot more pros than cons!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
They are readily available and inexpensive | They will be multicolor with assorted features |
Lay unusual color eggs | There is no guarantee of unusual egg color prior to the onset of lay. Some EEs may lay brown eggs. |
Great layers – expect 200 – 250 eggs per year. | There is no standard size, so they may be too small if you need a dual-purpose egg-meat bird. |
Winter hardy | You may never win any ribbons at poultry shows because they are not a recognized breed. |
Friendly and usually docile. | Don’t often go broody, so if you want to grow your flock naturally, you may need an incubator. |
Good foragers that do well in free-range settings | |
No major health issues | |
Don’t often go broody, so egg production usually remains a priority rather than motherhood. | |
Most EEs make great pets. |
Easter Egger Chickens Health
Easter Egger chickens have an outstanding reputation in terms of health. They have no major health issues besides the expected chicken challenges of parasites like mites, poultry lice, and sticktight fleas.
It is essential to ensure that birds receive a balanced diet that will support egg production and provide adequate shelter throughout the year. So long as their basic chicken requirements are met, EEs are a delight to have around.
Health problems are more likely to occur due to behavioral issues, which may result from things like boredom from being confined, having too many roosters about, or ranking low on the pecking order. EEs are often quite docile, and other bossier breeds are inclined to bully them. Mixing Easter Eggers with other breeds should be done mindfully, and birds must have enough space to avoid these types of negative interactions.
Since they are medium-sized chickens that usually have small combs, EEs do not require any breed-specific perches or coop heaters. However, like everything else about this breed, comb size is variable, so poultry owners need to take note and provide some cold-weather relief if their birds have larger-than-expected combs.
EEs that have prominent feathery muffs and beards should preferably have special heated nipple drinkers during cold weather. This will prevent them from getting wet feathers and resembling tiny icy arctic explorers, which could lead to other health conditions.
Easter Egger Chickens Heat Tolerance?
Maybe it’s the thick layer of feathers they all have, but no mature chickens in the world love basking in the sweltering heat. Easter Eggers are no exception, but fortunately, they are very hardy and seem to cope better with soaring summer temperatures than many other breeds.
However, chicken owners must always be vigilant during heat waves. Hens are far more likely to die from heat than cold. Egg production may also slow down or cease entirely in extremely hot weather.
No one can control the weather, but there are some ways that poultry owners can help their flock get through hot spells:
- Let them free range. Outside chickens are more likely to be able to find cool places to wait out hot days than those in coops.
- Provide additional water points – lower-ranking birds in the flock will be able to drink freely if more drinkers are available.
- Give cool treats like frozen peas or add ice to their water
- Always ensure that coops have sufficient ventilation and add a fan if necessary to keep the air moving
- Ensure the environment is entirely stress-free, especially during hot weather. That way, birds don’t have to exert themselves running around.
Where To Buy Easter Egger Chickens?
Unlike searching for pure-breed Araucana or Ameraucana chickens, Easter Eggers are readily available, and you may even occasionally find them for sale at your local feed store. Chicks are inexpensive and usually cost less than $5 each.
Easter Eggers, which may also be labeled as Americauna or something similar, are also available from various online breeders. Since there are no set breed standards, EE chicks you purchase can grow up to be any color and display an assortment of physical characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Easter Egger Chickens Good To Eat?
Easter Eggers aren’t known as great table birds. Like all chickens, they can be eaten, but don’t expect a huge, tender, juicy roast like you would get from a broiler. Since the mature size of EE chickens is variable, they are not recommended for anyone who specifically wants dual-purpose egg and meat birds.
Are Easter Egger Roosters Aggressive?
All roosters will have natural flock-protective tendencies, but Easter Egger roosters are not usually overly aggressive. If they are well-adjusted and there is a balanced hen-per-rooster ratio, roosters are often very friendly with their owners.
Since Easter Eggers are a mish-mash of breeds, it is possible that individual roosters may take after a more aggressive ancestor breed. However, most EE owners report that both sexes of their EE chickens are friendly and all-around excellent additions to their households.
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David Cameron is a passionate chicken enthusiast. Growing up, he always wanted to be a veterinarian and loved animals. After graduating from veterinary school, David spent over 40 years as an equine veterinarian. He and his wife retired a few years ago and moved to North Carolina. Here, David’s love of chickens grew even more – he now has 7 chickens and 6 quail. If you have any questions about chickens, feel free to reach out.