Splash Ameraucanas Chicken
Breed Facts
- Poultry Show Class: All Other Standard Breeds, Miscellaneous Class
- Weights: Hen ——-5 1/2 lbs
Rooster—-6 1/2 lb
Pullet——4 1/2 lbs
Cockerel—5 1/2 lbs - Purpose and Type: Laying blue eggs, pets and show; Production
- Egg Shell Color: blue shell a few light green
- Egg Production: 180-200 eggs per year (estimates only, see FAQ)
- Egg Size: Medium-Large
- Temperament: Active/Flighty
- Gender Accuracy: 75-80%
- Fertility Percentage: 65-80%
- Broody: Non Setter
- Mating Ratio: 9 Females to 1 Male
- Roost Height: 4+ feet
- Country of Origin: USA
- APA: Yes, Recognized by the American Standard of Perfection in 2023.
- TLC: Not Listed
- Breeder Farm Source: Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing our bloodline/strain of production type Splash Ameraucana since 2017.
Splash Ameraucana Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Splash Ameraucana Chicken is a beautiful Ameraucana variety known for mostly white plumage with random splashes of blue to black, blue egg potential, muffs, beard, pea comb, slate legs, and strong colored-egg appeal. If you want a true Ameraucana with unique feather color and blue eggs, Splash Ameraucanas can be a standout addition to your backyard flock.
Cackle Hatchery® started offering blue egg laying Splash Ameraucanas in 2018. Cackle also notes that its production-type Splash Ameraucana bloodline has been developed by Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm since 2017.
Splash Ameraucanas are true Ameraucanas, not Easter Eggers™ and not Araucanas. They carry the standard Ameraucana traits customers look for, including muffs, beard, pea comb, tail, slate legs, and blue eggshell genetics. Cackle’s Ameraucana resources explain that Easter Eggers, Americanas, and Rainbow Layers can vary widely in body type, feather color, and egg color, while true Ameraucanas have more specific breed traits.
Appearance and Characteristics
Splash Ameraucanas are mostly white or light-colored birds with irregular splashes of blue to black throughout the feathers. No two birds look exactly alike, which gives the variety a fun, eye-catching appearance in a mixed flock.
Standard Ameraucana features include:
- Muffs and beard
- Pea comb
- Slate leg color
- Full tail
- Blue egg potential
- Mostly white plumage with blue-to-black splashes
- General-purpose Ameraucana body type
The Ameraucana Alliance describes Ameraucanas as general-purpose fowl with distinctive blue eggshell coloration. It also notes that large fowl Ameraucanas belong to the APA All Other Standard Breeds class and that the breed should have muffs, beard, pea comb, and no ear tufts.
Important Update About APA Recognition
Older Splash Ameraucana descriptions often say that Splash is not an American Poultry Association recognized variety. However, this has changed.
The American Poultry Association lists Splash Ameraucana Large Fowl as newly added to the Standard, with an acceptance date of November 10, 2023. The APA Splash Ameraucana Large Fowl standard document also states that Splash Ameraucana Large Fowl was admitted on November 12, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio.
Because older product copy may still mention non-recognition, it is helpful to use updated language: Splash Ameraucana Large Fowl is now an APA-recognized variety.
Egg Color and Laying Expectations
Splash Ameraucanas are blue egg layers. Cackle Hatchery® notes that a small percentage may lay eggs with shells in shades of light green.
This makes them a strong option for customers who want a colorful egg basket with blue, brown, white, cream, or green eggs. However, egg color can vary slightly by individual hen, age, nutrition, season, and breeding line.
For customers comparing blue egg breeds, Cackle’s Best Blue Egg Layers article is a helpful internal resource.
Splash Ameraucana Genetics: What Customers Should Know
Splash Ameraucanas come from blue poultry genetics. Blue does not breed true, which is why blue-to-blue Ameraucana matings can produce blue, black, and splash chicks.
Cackle Hatchery® explains that when two Blue Ameraucanas are bred together, the expected hatch can include about 50% blue chicks, 25% black chicks, and 25% splash chicks.
Splash genetics work differently once you have splash birds:
- Splash bred to splash produces splash chicks.
- Splash bred to black produces blue chicks.
- Blue bred to blue can produce blue, black, and splash chicks.
This does not mean the birds are mixed or incorrect. It is the normal result of blue/splash poultry color genetics.
Splash Ameraucana vs Blue Ameraucana
Splash and Blue Ameraucanas are closely related through blue color genetics, but they look different and breed differently.
A Splash Ameraucana is mostly white or pale with blue-to-black splashes. Splash bred to splash produces splash chicks.
A Blue Ameraucana chicken has blue-gray plumage, ideally with darker lacing. Blue bred to blue does not breed true and may produce blue, black, and splash chicks.
Choose Splash Ameraucana chickens if you want a lighter bird with unique splash markings and blue egg potential.
Choose Blue Ameraucana chickens if you prefer blue-gray feathering and understand that blue matings can produce multiple chick colors.
Splash Ameraucana vs Lavender Ameraucana
Splash Ameraucanas and Lavender Ameraucanas can both look soft and light-colored, but their genetics are different.
A Splash Ameraucana is part of blue/splash genetics and usually appears mostly white with blue-to-black splashes.
A Lavender Ameraucana chicken carries the lavender gene, also called self blue in standard language. Lavender bred to lavender should produce lavender chicks.
Choose Splash Ameraucana if you want irregular splash markings and blue egg potential.
Choose Lavender Ameraucana chickens if you want a more even lavender-gray color and true-breeding lavender genetics.
Splash Ameraucana vs Easter Egger™
Splash Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers™ are often confused because both may be connected with colored eggs. However, they are not the same.
A Splash Ameraucana is a true Ameraucana variety with specific breed traits, including muffs, beard, pea comb, slate legs, tail, and blue egg genetics.
An Easter Egger™ chicken is usually a mixed or non-standard colored egg layer. Easter Eggers™ can be excellent backyard chickens, but they may vary widely in body type, feather color, and egg color.
Choose Splash Ameraucana chickens if you want a true Ameraucana with blue egg potential and splash coloring.
Choose Easter Egger™ chickens if you want a fun colored egg layer and are flexible on exact egg shade or breed type.
Important Note About Ameraucana Sexing Accuracy
Ameraucanas can be more difficult to vent sex than many other breeds. Cackle Hatchery® notes that sexing accuracy for Ameraucanas averages about 80%, compared with the usual average of about 90% for many other breeds.
This matters most for customers ordering females. If you live where roosters are not allowed, or if you need a very exact male-to-female ratio, keep this lower sexing accuracy in mind before checkout.
Important Note About Scissor Beak / Cross Beak
Cackle Hatchery® notes that the Ameraucana breed has an inherent genetic beak issue. About 1 out of 100 chicks may develop some degree of scissor beak or cross beak as they grow.
Scissor beak, also called cross beak, means the top and bottom beak do not align properly. The condition can vary in severity, and it often becomes more noticeable as the chick matures.
Customers should understand this breed note before ordering Ameraucanas. Many chicks grow normally, but the genetic risk exists in the breed.
Temperament and Suitability
Splash Ameraucanas can work well in backyard flocks, colored egg flocks, and small breeding programs. They appeal to customers who want true Ameraucana identity, blue egg potential, and a lighter bird with unique splash markings.
This variety can work well for:
- Backyard blue egg flocks
- Colored egg basket projects
- Ameraucana enthusiasts
- Customers who want true Ameraucana traits
- Keepers who like unique feather patterns
- Small breeding programs with careful selection
- Flocks with other colored egg layers
- Customers who want a blue egg breed that is not an Easter Egger™
However, customers who want a standardized appearance in every bird should remember that splash markings vary from bird to bird. In addition, customers who need the highest possible sexing accuracy should review the Ameraucana sexing note before ordering.
Is the Splash Ameraucana Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Splash Ameraucana chickens if you want:
- Blue egg potential
- A true Ameraucana variety
- Mostly white plumage with blue-to-black splashes
- Muffs and beard
- Pea comb and slate legs
- APA-recognized Splash Ameraucana Large Fowl
- Splash genetics that can breed true when splash is bred to splash
- A beautiful addition to a colored egg basket
However, consider another breed if you need very high sexing accuracy, a lower-cost colored egg layer, or identical feather markings on every bird. In short, Splash Ameraucanas are best for customers who want true Ameraucana type, blue eggs, and unique splash-colored plumage.
Care and Housing Tips
Splash Ameraucanas need the same dependable care as other standard-size chickens. They do best with a clean coop, secure run, proper feed, fresh water, and predator protection.
For best results, provide:
- A dry, well-ventilated coop
- Predator-resistant fencing
- Clean bedding
- Fresh water at all times
- Balanced chick starter and age-appropriate feed
- Enough roosting space
- Nest boxes when pullets near laying age
- Shade and airflow during hot weather
- Protection from drafts and damp bedding in cold weather
- Enough run space to keep feathers clean and healthy
Because Splash Ameraucanas are lighter-colored birds, clean bedding and dry runs help keep plumage looking its best. Their pea combs can also be helpful in colder climates, although all chickens still need dry, draft-free shelter.
Recognition, Clubs, and Availability
Cackle Hatchery® started offering Splash Ameraucanas in 2018 and lists this variety as a colored egg layer with limited seasonal availability. Cackle also notes that customers can plan to order Splash Ameraucana chicks as early as late November, with hatching and shipping from early February through early August.
Jeff Smith and Cackle Hatchery® are members of the Ameraucana Alliance Club. Customers who want to learn more about Ameraucana standards, history, and breeders can review the Ameraucana Alliance and Ameraucana Breeders Club websites. The Ameraucana Alliance describes itself as a breed club representing bantam and large fowl Ameraucana chickens.
Since hatch dates and shipping windows can change during the season, customers should check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart before ordering.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
Customers who like Splash Ameraucanas may also enjoy other Ameraucana varieties, Easter Eggers™, blue egg layers, and Cackle’s comparison tools.
Helpful Cackle Hatchery® links for this product page include:
- Ameraucana Chickens
- Blue Ameraucana chickens
- Black Ameraucana chickens
- Lavender Ameraucana chickens
- White Ameraucana chickens
- Buff Ameraucana chickens
- Easter Egger™ Chickens
- Blue Egger Female Surplus
- Colored Egg Layers for Sale
- Cackle Hatchery’s Best Blue Egg Layers
- Blue Egg Chicken: Ameraucana or Americana?
- Ameraucana Chickens in the Spotlight
- Baby chicks for sale
- Chicken Breed Selector
- Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart
- Chicken Availability Chart
FAQ: Splash Ameraucana Chicken
What is a Splash Ameraucana Chicken?
A Splash Ameraucana Chicken is a true Ameraucana variety with mostly white plumage, random blue-to-black splashes, muffs, beard, pea comb, slate legs, tail, and blue egg genetics.
Are Splash Ameraucanas real Ameraucanas?
Yes. Splash Ameraucanas are true Ameraucanas and are not Easter Eggers™ or Araucanas.
Are Splash Ameraucanas recognized by the APA?
Yes. Splash Ameraucana Large Fowl was added to the American Poultry Association Standard in November 2023.
What color eggs do Splash Ameraucanas lay?
Splash Ameraucanas are blue egg layers. Cackle Hatchery® notes that a small percentage may lay eggs with light green shells.
Are Splash Ameraucanas good blue egg layers?
Yes. Splash Ameraucanas are a good option for customers who want true Ameraucana traits with blue egg potential.
What do Splash Ameraucanas look like?
They are mostly white or pale birds with random splashes of blue to black in their feathers. They also have standard Ameraucana features, including muffs, beard, pea comb, slate legs, and a tail.
Does splash breed true?
Yes. Splash bred to splash produces splash chicks.
What happens when Splash Ameraucana is bred to Black Ameraucana?
Splash bred to black produces blue chicks.
What happens when Blue Ameraucana is bred to Blue Ameraucana?
Blue bred to blue can produce approximately 50% blue chicks, 25% black chicks, and 25% splash chicks.
What is the difference between Splash Ameraucana and Blue Ameraucana?
Splash Ameraucanas are mostly white with blue-to-black splashes. Blue Ameraucanas are blue-gray birds, ideally with darker lacing. Both are connected through blue color genetics.
What is the difference between Splash Ameraucana and Lavender Ameraucana?
Splash Ameraucanas come from blue/splash genetics and have irregular splash markings. Lavender Ameraucanas carry the lavender gene and usually have a more even lavender-gray color.
What is the difference between Splash Ameraucana and Easter Egger™?
Splash Ameraucanas are true Ameraucanas with specific breed traits and blue egg genetics. Easter Eggers™ are mixed or non-standard colored egg layers that may vary widely in appearance and egg color.
Are Splash Ameraucana chicks easy to sex?
No. Cackle Hatchery® notes that Ameraucanas are harder to vent sex than many breeds. Sexing accuracy averages about 80% for Ameraucanas, compared with about 90% for many other breeds.
What is scissor beak or cross beak in Ameraucanas?
Scissor beak, also called cross beak, means the top and bottom beak do not align properly. Cackle Hatchery® notes that about 1 out of 100 Ameraucana chicks may develop some degree of this condition.
Does scissor beak get worse as chicks grow?
It can. Cackle Hatchery® notes that the condition normally gets worse as the chick grows.
Are Splash Ameraucanas good for backyard flocks?
Yes. Splash Ameraucanas can work well in backyard flocks for customers who want blue eggs, true Ameraucana traits, and attractive splash plumage.
Are Splash Ameraucanas good for beginners?
They can be a good fit for beginners who understand lower Ameraucana sexing accuracy, possible scissor beak risk, limited availability, and blue/splash genetics.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer other Ameraucana varieties?
Yes. Cackle Hatchery® offers several Ameraucana varieties, including Black, Blue, Buff, Lavender, Splash, and White Ameraucanas, depending on availability.
Is Cackle Hatchery® connected with Ameraucana breed clubs?
Yes. Jeff Smith and Cackle Hatchery® are members of the Ameraucana Alliance Club.
Where can I check Splash Ameraucana availability?
Customers can check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping timing. Since Splash Ameraucanas are limited, ordering early is recommended.
Order from Cackle Hatchery
Choose Splash Ameraucanas Chicken from cackle hatchery. Review the product information above for current options, availability and ordering details.
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