Introduction to Hatching Araucana Chicken Eggs - Tips and Guidance

Introduction to Araucana Chickens and Hatching Araucana Eggs

Araucana chickens are a unique and interesting breed known for their colorful blue or green eggs. They originate from Chile and get their name from the Araucanía region. Araucanas are rumpless, meaning they lack a tailbone and therefore have no tail feathers. They also lack a keel bone and have tufts of feathers near their ears.

Araucana chickens lay about 250 blue or green eggs per year. Their egg color comes from a genetic mutation that causes their eggshells to lack the brown pigment found in most chicken eggs. The blue or green egg color is highly sought after by many backyard chicken keepers.

Hatching Araucana eggs requires following some specific tips and guidelines. In this article, we will provide an update on our recent experience hatching Araucana eggs and share what we learned along the way.

Choosing Fertile Araucana Eggs for Hatching

The first step to a successful hatch is sourcing high-quality fertile Araucana eggs from a reputable breeder. It's important to choose eggs from healthy, vigorous stock that have been bred for hatchability.

We ordered our fertile Araucana eggs online from a breeder who specializes in this breed. We opted for a straight-run assortment so we would end up with a mix of males and females. The eggs arrived safely packed in cushioning material inside a cardboard box.

Look for These Signs of Quality Fertile Eggs:

• Clean, smooth, uncracked eggshells
• No odd shapes, ridges, or thin spots
• Medium to large size (50 grams or heavier)
• Harvested within the past week

It's best to candle the eggs upon arrival to check for signs of fertility like veins or an embryo. Candling involves shining a bright light through the egg to examine the inside.

Incubating Araucana Eggs

Once we had our fertile eggs, it was time to incubate them. Incubation provides the optimal environment for the chicks to develop inside the eggshell.

We used a stationary incubator made specifically for hatching chicken eggs. The incubator allows us to control the temperature and humidity levels crucial for embryo development.

Key Tips for Incubating Araucana Eggs:

• Maintain temperature of 99.5°F/37.5°C
• Keep humidity levels between 45-55% during incubation
• Rotate eggs at least 3 times per day for the first 18 days
• Candle eggs again on day 7 to confirm viability

It's important to monitor the incubator closely and keep track of key details like the set date and expected hatch date. We kept detailed notes about each step.

The Hatching Process

After 21 days of incubation, it was time for our Araucana eggs to hatch! This was the most exciting and anxious part of the entire process.

On day 19, we stopped rotating the eggs and increased humidity in the incubator to about 65%. Higher humidity helps soften the eggshell and aids the hatchlings.

On the 21st day, we began seeing the first signs of pipping as the chicks started to break through their shells with their egg tooth. Over the next 24-48 hours, more chicks fully emerged from their shells wet, tired, and adorable.

Here's What We Did During the Hatch:

• Did not open incubator until ready to transfer chicks to brooder
• Listened for sounds of pipping and hatching
• Resisted the urge to assist hatchlings
• Only removed eggshell fragments if chick was trapped
• Prepared brooder with food, water, and heat lamp

It was amazing to witness the hatching process firsthand and see the array of colorful fluffy araucana chicks! Out of 15 fertile eggs, we ended up with 11 healthy chicks.

Brooding Newly Hatched Araucana Chicks

Baby chicks are vulnerable after hatching and unable to fully regulate their body temperature. A brooder provides a warm, safe area for chicks during their first few weeks of life.

We set up a cardboard brooder box with clean pine shavings for bedding. We put food and water in chick-sized containers to prevent drowning. The heat lamp provided a 95°F zone for the new chicks to gather under.

Key Tips for Brooding Baby Araucana Chicks:

• Use thermometer to monitor brooder temperature
• Reduce temperature 5°F per week
• Provide chick starter feed and clean water
• Give access to grit to aid digestion
• Clean brooder and replace bedding frequently

Over the next several weeks, we will continue updating our araucana hatching journey as these adorable, colorful chicks grow into juvenile pullets and cockerels.

Joining the Araucana Community

We are so excited to become part of the Araucana chicken keeping community after successfully hatching our own eggs. It has been an extremely rewarding process from start to finish.

We look forward to connecting with other Araucana breeders and owners to continue learning. There are several great online forums and groups we have found helpful for advice and inspiration.

Some things we are most looking forward to about keeping Araucanas:

• Collecting their beautiful blue/green eggs
• Exhibiting their unique appearance and traits
• Learning more about this heritage breed

If you are interested in hatching your own Araucana eggs, we highly recommend giving it a try! Sourcing quality fertile eggs and following crucial incubation steps will set you up for success. Let us know if you have any other questions about our araucana hatching experience.

FAQs

How many eggs should I buy for hatching?

It's best to buy at least 15-20 fertile eggs to allow for some that may be infertile or fail to hatch. This helps ensure you will end up with a decent number of healthy chicks.

What is the incubation period for araucana eggs?

The incubation period for araucana eggs is 21 days until the expected hatch date.

What temperature should the incubator be set at?

Araucana eggs should be incubated at a temperature of 99.5°F/37.5°C.

Can I assist the hatchlings?

It's best not to assist hatchlings unless they are trapped in their shell or distressed. Allow them to hatch naturally as much as possible.

When can araucana chicks go outside?

Araucana chicks can go outside once they are fully feathered at around 5-6 weeks old and temperatures are sufficiently warm.