2024 was a year of success and flock advances. I did only one large hatch with several hundred eggs from all flocks that emerged in early March 2024. Usually for the last 10 years or so I hatched eggs from all the hens for the first hatch and just blue eggs for all the rest of the year’s hatches. That way I knew all Roosters were hatched from Blue eggs after the first of the year. Blue egg percentages always improved every year. Last year was different with only one early hatch. Most of the hens matured by December and started laying their beautiful eggs. Getting a couple dozen eggs a day is new this year as it takes 8-12 months for hens to mature and eggs hatched in June and July are not mature by December. Many green eggs were hatched and green eggs conceal the the Blue egg trait under the Green outer egg shell color. Therefore some of the bluest egg trait hen’s eggs were not seen and hatched until this 2024 year. As a result some of the most intense Blue color eggs have been linked up and are being produced by these newly maturing young hens. I want that success for you.
Historically, I valued the many variety of egg colors, including Dark Greens and a few Pinkish color eggs, possible while keeping them pure bred to retain the “True Mapuche Chicken” traits. Please note that, “Any Dark Green egg laying hen can produce chicks that can lay Blue, Green or Pinkish color eggs”. So this year’s egg colors include some of the darkest Blue egg colors I have ever seen.
Many years ago I started putting birds together by feather color to appeal to the “Show Crowd” goals while only keeping a couple of flocks of unique feather colors and “One of a Kind” birds for my own preferences.
With shipped hatching eggs I always sorted them to be Blue eggs even though that often led me to ship many Pale Blue eggs and fewer Green eggs. This 2025 year will be different and egg colors will be random while still coming from quality pure bred Roosters and Hens.
Prices and terms will not change for 2025 but the number of flocks will be reduced along with the number of hens laying hatching eggs. Hatching Eggs are shipped in the order that funds are received so a waiting list may develop in 2025.
Now with 52 continuous years of keeping these “Mapuche Race Chickens’ pure bred I am still learning and improving them toward my goals.
Thank You for your interest in these birds and My Book, “Araucana Experience”, I look forward to another year of providing stock and information to people. ENJOY,,, ( : > ) edd Sheppard
We are located in Cottonwood, California., 96022. Our land line phone number is 530 347-9192 (So No Texting, Emails through hatchery website as usual.