Standards of Perfection

There are three standards for the Araucana. The American Poultry Association (APA) has both a large fowl Araucana standard as well as a bantam Araucana standard and the American Bantam Association (ABA) has a bantam Araucana standard which has its differences from the APA bantam standard.

AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION (APA)

apa_logoRecognized Varieties:
Black
Black Breasted Red
Golden Duckwing
Silver Duckwing
White

LARGE FOWL
Class: AOSB: All Other Standard Breed

Weight:

  • Cock – 5 lbs
  • Hen – 4 lbs
  • Cockerel – 4 lbs
  • Pullet – 3.5 lbs

BANTAM FOWL
Class: AOCCL: All Other Comb Clean Leg

Weight:

  • Cock – 28 oz
  • Hen – 26 oz
  • Cockerel – 26 oz
  • Pullet – 24 oz

The standard Araucana are rumpless and have tufts of feathers protruding from each side of the head/neck. The Araucana also has a pea comb and they have the distinction of laying turquoise or blue-shelled eggs. There is close genetic linkage between those two traits so that selection for pea comb is effective in
maintaining blue egg.

CombPea, rather small, set evenly on head
BeakMedium stout, slightly curved
FaceSmooth texture
WaddlesVery small or absent
EyesLarge, bright
EarlobesSmall, red, smooth in texture
Ear TuftsOf good length, matching in size, extended from ears in a well defined curling ringlet
HeadModerately large, short, broad
NeckMedium in length, carried erect slightly arched
BackMedium length, broad at shoulders with posterior slope
TailEntirely absent with no Uropygium, saddle feathers flowing over in male
WingsMedium, well folded, carried above lower thighs
BodyModerate length, broad and deep. Breast, full, round, deep
FluffMedium
Legs and ToesLegs medium length, straight, set apart. Toes straight, moderate length

Disqualifications:

  • Lack of ear-tufts
  • Comb other than Pea
  • Rudimentary presence of tail
  • Stubs or feathers on their shank
  • More or less than four toes
  • White skin
  • Eggs other than blue

 

AMERICAN BANTAM ASSOCIATION (ABA)

aba_logo

Recognized Varieties:

Black
Black Breasted Red
Blue
Buff
Silver
White

Weight:

  • Cock – 28 oz
  • Hen 26 oz
  • Cockerel 26 oz
  • Pullet 24 oz
CombPea, small, set firmly and evenly on head lower and narrower in front and rear
than at center with each row evenly serrated
BeakMedium length, strong, well curved
FaceFine in texture, free from wrinkles folds or bristles
WaddlesSmall in size, uniform, free from wrinkles or folds
EyesLarge, full, prominent, expressive
EarlobesOblong, well defined, smooth free form wrinkles or folds
Ear TuftsGood length, matching in size and length extending from ears in a curving ringlet
HeadModerate length, fairly deep, somewhat flat on top
HackleAbundant flowing well over shoulders and back in male
NeckMedium length, well arched
BackMedium length, flat, broad across shoulders sloping slightly to tail
SaddleAbundant, covering wing tips
TailEntirely absent with no Uropygium, saddle feathers flowing over stern
WingsModerately large, closely folded, carried well above lower thighs
Shoulders and FrontsConcealed by hackle and breast feathers
BowsSmooth, prominent, well rounded
CovertsFeathers broad forming two distinct bars across wings
PrimariesMedium length, broad, strong, concealed by secondaries
SecondariesMedium length, broad, strong, tips concealed by saddle feathers
BreastFull, round, deep
Body and SternBody, moderate length, set well apart, straight when viewed from front.

Female, stern well tucked up; fluff, moderately short.
Legs and ToesLegs medium length, set well apart, straight when viewed from front.
Lower ThighsMedium length, smooth, well developed
ShanksMedium bone, moderately long, smooth, nicely scaled
SpursHard, fine, set low on shank
ToesFour, straight, strong, moderately long, well and evenly spaced
AppearanceBold, alert and active

Disqualifications:

  • Absence of one or both ear tufts
  • Rudimentary tail
  • Eggs other than blue
  • Presence of beard or muffs
  • White skin

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