d71d6c2f_IMG_3055.jpeg

Easter Eggers

The Easter Egger is not really a breed. They are relationed to the breeds Ameraucanas and...

General Information

Breed Purpose
Egg Layer
Comb
Pea
Broodiness
Seldom
Climate Tolerance
All Climates
Egg Productivity
Medium
Egg Size
Medium
Egg Color
Blue/Green
Breed Temperament
Friendly,Easily handled,Calm,Bears confinement well,Quiet,Docile
Breed Colors/Varieties
Any and All Colors
Breed Size
Large Fowl
80d64bf1_900x600px-LL-47415037_goldie2012.jpeg

The Easter Egger is not really a breed. They are relationed to the breeds Ameraucanas and Araucanas, then bred with many different breeds so they no longer fit either breed's standards. They usually have muffs and pea combs, but come in nearly every variety and color, some even have ear tufts or are rumpless. Each EE is different, but overall they are usually a smaller bird that lays pink, green, or blue eggs. They are normally friendly and calm, and their colorful eggs make them a popular choice in backyard flocks.

7b99805f_cute4.jpeg
Easter Egger chicks

718f304a_6864171367_99775b3873_z.jpeg
Easter Egger egg

6bec790c_General.jpeg
Easter Egger rooster

6bc090a8_Tatianaspics127.jpeg
Easter Egger hen

For more info on Easter Eggers and their owners' experiences, see our breed discussion here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/easter-egger-club.361185/

Latest reviews

friendly and docile
They are well-loved for their friendly and docile temperament, making them an excellent choice for backyard flocks, especially in family settings. Easter Eggers are hardy and adaptable to different climates, particularly cold weather, thanks to their small pea combs that are less prone to frostbite
Preston Bowslaugh
Preston Bowslaugh
I love how people are coming together to grow this community
Pros: Pretty pattern
Calm
Cute cheeks
Colorful eggs
Cons: Skittish and gets out of brooder
Mercedes is a great hen. She is a bit skittish and flies out of the brooder, but she loves to be held. Can't wait to see her colorful eggs

Attachments

  • IMG_20240709_135221003.jpg
    IMG_20240709_135221003.jpg
    109.1 KB · Views: 36
Super friendly!
Pros: They love people, mine run up to me every time I walk in there
They're very cuddly, and mine really enjoy hugs
Cons: Rather loud if you don't give them attention right away
Mine tend to peck me if I don't pet them soon enough
Easter Eggers are one of the best "breeds" there are. I've had seven so far, and all of them have been super sweet. They're the first ones to greet me in the morning, and whenever I squat down, they run up to me for hugs. One of mine is blind, and she makes a LOT of noise if I go out there and don't say hi to her right away. Once I pick her up and snuggle her she quiets down instantly.

Amazing birds, five stars, would recommend!
  • Love
Reactions: talkinboutchickens

Comments

Things have gotten a little better. My three EEs are my most consistent layer - rarely do I not get 3 blue eggs when I go out every evening. One of the three has really warmed up to us all - Mugsy, we call her - she'll run right up and squat down for us to pick her up. In particular she really likes my 3 year old daughter. She loves getting scratches on her neck, and eating scratch from our hands. She is even more friendly than our friendly BO "mama". The other two, though, are still really flighty and nervous. I'll keep 'em around, though, because those two lay the largest eggs in my flock!
 
my easters do stand heat and cold well. but they NEVER laid during the winter. (BIG con for me)
 
@hasdaa

Sometimes winter laying can be induced with artificial light, since it is the length of daylight (as opposed to temperature) that determines how long a chicken lays. I've never done this myself since I've heard it can overtax a chicken's ovaries, but some people do it and experience no problems.

It could be that your EE's just have different bloodlines than mine. They may have a summertime breed (like Leghorns or Minorcas) somewhere in their genetic heritage that stops their laying in winter.
 
I don't use artificial light. I feel if a hen's system needs a rest, then it should have a rest, but that said, my Easter eggers and California greys kept us in eggs over the winter while my brown egg layers took time off.
 
I use regular lights on a timer in my coop to keep them laying in the winter, I just keep it within the summer hours of day light so they stay consistent year round and I up their laying pellets from 16%to 18% and/or 20% a really great quality name brand in the coldest of winter so their body doesn't labor to keep warm and take away from their muscles and egg laying and I also tend to feed them some warm water a few times a day when it is below 32°. Hope this helps some.
 
I agree with all of you- great chicken!!! And they always lay in the winter! I have one though, Bunny, who thinks she has the right to lay her eggs ANYWHERE besides the nesting box. Brat!!!:)lol
 
Ya the rooster in the pic I had actually showed up at my house if it was t for him I would have never thought of getting chickens now I specialize in breeding silkies my EE are in my mixed flock but I know what egg comes from every bird
 
My experience has been the opposite. My EE hens lay consistently, taking a break during molt and my rooster is a sweetheart with his ladies and humans alike. He alerts them to predators and can often be heard calling them over to eat whatever morsels he's discovered. I guess I lucked out.
 
I consider my EE's to be more independent rather than skittish. They're not as friendly as our other breeds but do enjoy human interaction - on their own terms .
 
We have two EE's in a mixed flock as well and ours are the least friendly as well. But, one of the EE's seems to be slowly warming up to us. She will eat out of hands, she will hang out within feet of us if we are out working in the gardens (worms), and she has been coming up to our sliding glass door in the back to see what we are up to inside. I'm excited to see how much more she'll warm-up to us over the years. I'm not counting the EE's out yet!
 
Since EE's are a hybrid of breeds and are not a true breed itself, I think it would be a stretch to attempt to describe their overall characteristics as a breed. I have one EE that is as friendly as any chicken I own, and another that I named "P.C." short for Problem Child. That chick ran head-long into fences and generally was a nuisance to the other birds. As P.C. has grown, she's come to be much more friendly and will hop in my lap for treats. I consider that hen one of the smarter birds I have, My experience is that EE's have a wide variety of characteristics that I do not associate with the EE as a bird.
 
nice review! how long did they lay smaller eggs? when do they lay larger eggs? we used to watch a ladies EE and they were all green and blue eggs; being larger sizes. we have 3 8 wk old EE
 
@MyGirls5 Hi! To be honest, we're a little spoiled out here on the West Coast of Canada. We rarely dip to freezing AND my girls "winter" in our huge greenhouse over the winter with a heater as well (so they don't even go during this time). Sorry I can't be of more help!
 
This sounds just like mine, not sure if they are Easter Eggers or Ameracanas. Not sure how to tell the difference. Our look like the one in my picture.
 

Item information

Category
Chicken Breeds
Added by
Super Admin
Views
196,978
Watchers
100
Comments
535
Reviews
394
Last update
Rating
4.36 star(s) 405 ratings

More in Chicken Breeds

More from Super Admin

Share this item

Back
Top Bottom