An Easter Egger is not a recognized breed — and that’s exactly the answer to “what kind of chicken is an easter egger”: it’s a hybrid or mixed-breed chicken that carries the blue-egg gene inherited from Ameraucana or Araucana stock.
If you’ve been browsing hatchery catalogs or chatting with flock owners, you’ve probably run into two terms that cause a lot of confusion: Easter Egger and pullet. Both show up constantly, and neither is as straightforward as it sounds. Easter Eggers aren’t a true breed, and “pullet” is an age classification, not a breed name at all. This article covers what each term actually means, how Easter Eggers differ from Ameraucanas and Araucanas, what to expect when you add them to a backyard flock, and what “pullet” tells you about a bird’s egg production.
What Kind of Chicken Is a Pullet?
A pullet is a female chicken under one year of age. That’s the complete pullet definition in poultry terms — a young hen who hasn’t yet completed her first laying year. Once she passes 12 months old, she becomes a hen.
When you see hatcheries list “pullets” for sale, they’re selling young, unsexed or sexed females in that under-one-year window. Pullets typically begin laying between 18 and 24 weeks of age depending on breed. A White Leghorn pullet can start as early as 16 weeks; a heavy dual-purpose breed like a Brahma or Jersey Giant pullet may not lay until 28 weeks or later.
Here’s a quick reference for how breed type affects the pullet-to-first-egg timeline:
| Breed Type | First Egg (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| White Leghorn | 16-18 weeks |
| Rhode Island Red | 18-20 weeks |
| Buff Orpington / Sussex | 20-24 weeks |
| Easter Egger | 20-24 weeks |
| Brahma / Jersey Giant | 26-30 weeks |
What kind of chicken is a pullet? Any breed can produce pullets — the word describes developmental stage, not genetics. If you order “straight-run” chicks (unsexed), roughly half will be pullets and half cockerels (young males under one year). Most backyard keepers order sexed pullets to avoid ending up with roosters.
Easter Egger Breed: What Sets Them Apart
The Easter Egger breed — technically a hybrid rather than a breed — gets its name from the rainbow of egg colors it can produce. Because they carry the blue-egg gene (the O gene from Ameraucana or Araucana lineage), Easter Eggers lay eggs ranging from pale sky blue to aqua, olive, sage green, pink, or cream. No two Easter Eggers are guaranteed to lay the same color.
This genetic variability is also why the Easter Egger breed isn’t recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA). Ameraucanas and Araucanas are standardized breeds with strict color varieties and physical requirements. Easter Eggers are anything-goes hybrids that share the blue-egg gene but may carry it from either pure-bred or mixed ancestry.
Key Easter Egger breed traits:
- Size: 4-5 lbs for hens, slightly larger for roosters
- Egg production: 3-4 eggs per week, roughly 150-200 eggs per year
- Egg color: Blue, green, olive, pink, or cream — varies bird to bird
- Temperament: Generally calm and friendly; good choice for families with children
- Cold hardiness: Good — the pea comb (common in Easter Eggers) is less susceptible to frostbite than a single comb
- Beard and muffs: Many Easter Eggers have facial feathering; not all do
One important clarification: hatcheries sometimes label Easter Eggers as “Ameraucanas” or “Araucanas” — a well-known frustration for experienced keepers. True Ameraucanas come in exactly eight recognized color varieties (Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, White). If the hatchery lists “lavender Ameraucana” or mixes colors freely, those are almost certainly Easter Eggers. The price difference reflects it: true Ameraucanas from a reputable breeder run $15-$40+ per bird, while Easter Eggers typically cost $3-$8 at large hatcheries.
Pullet Definition: Why Age Classification Matters for Flock Management
The pullet definition — female chicken under 12 months — matters practically because pullets have different nutritional needs than laying hens. Layer feed contains roughly 16-18% protein and higher calcium levels to support eggshell formation. Feeding that same high-calcium layer feed to a pullet before she starts laying can stress her kidneys and contribute to long-term health problems.
The standard recommendation: keep pullets on chick starter (20-22% protein) until about 8 weeks, then transition to a grower feed (around 16-18% protein, lower calcium) until they lay their first egg or reach 18 weeks, whichever comes first. At that point, switch to layer feed.
The pullet definition also matters for flock integration. When introducing pullets to an established flock of older hens, the pecking order reshuffles — and pullets at the bottom of that hierarchy are vulnerable. Standard practice is to house new pullets in a separate but visible area for 7-14 days, letting both groups see each other through wire before direct contact. Introductions go more smoothly when birds are close in size, which typically means waiting until pullets are at least 12-16 weeks old.
Managing Easter Eggers with Mixed Flocks
One sub-topic worth addressing: how Easter Eggers get along with other breeds. In five-plus years of keeping mixed flocks, Easter Eggers consistently land in the middle of the pecking order. They’re active foragers but rarely aggressive, which makes them compatible with calm breeds like Buff Orpingtons and Wyandottes.
Where Easter Eggers sometimes struggle is against large, dominant breeds. Jersey Giants and Brahmas can bully smaller birds. If you’re mixing Easter Eggers (4-5 lbs) with heavy breeds (8-12 lbs), make sure the coop has enough space — at least 3-4 sq ft per bird inside, 8-10 sq ft per bird in the run — and provide multiple feeding stations so subordinate birds can eat without constant harassment.
Easter Eggers also do fine with bantam breeds, though size differences can occasionally cause accidental injury during rough pecking-order scuffles. Watching the flock closely for the first two weeks after any introduction is standard practice, not optional.
Conclusion
So what kind of chicken is an easter egger? It’s a hybrid chicken that carries the blue-egg gene from Ameraucana or Araucana ancestry but isn’t a recognized breed, which means egg color, feather pattern, and body type vary widely from bird to bird. Pullets, by contrast, aren’t a breed at all — the term describes any female chicken under 12 months of age. Understanding both terms before you buy chicks prevents the most common beginner mistakes: expecting all Easter Egger eggs to be the same color, or feeding layer rations to birds that aren’t ready for them yet. For further reading, look into articles comparing true Ameraucanas vs. Easter Eggers in detail, and a guide to integrating new pullets into an established laying flock.
Helpful answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Easter Eggers lay blue eggs?
No. Easter Eggers carry the blue-egg gene but don’t always express it fully. Individual birds may lay blue, green, olive, pink, or cream eggs depending on their specific genetics. The only way to know what color a particular hen will lay is to wait until she lays her first egg, typically around 20-24 weeks of age.
Are Easter Eggers the same as Ameraucanas?
No. True Ameraucanas are a recognized APA breed with eight standardized color varieties, a specific body type, and a pea comb. Easter Eggers are hybrids that may have Ameraucana or Araucana ancestry but don’t meet breed standards. Many large hatcheries mislabel Easter Eggers as Ameraucanas, so price and source matter when buying.
When does a pullet become a hen?
A pullet becomes a hen at 12 months of age. This is a standard poultry industry classification. The practical difference is nutritional: pullets need grower feed before laying, while hens on layer feed get the higher calcium they need for consistent eggshell production.
How many eggs per week does an Easter Egger lay?
Most Easter Eggers produce 3-4 eggs per week, totaling around 150-200 eggs per year. Production drops during the annual molt (typically autumn, lasting 6-12 weeks) and slows as birds age past 2-3 years. Easter Eggers aren’t high-production birds like White Leghorns, which can lay 280+ eggs per year.
Can I keep one Easter Egger with other breeds?
Yes. Easter Eggers integrate reasonably well into mixed flocks. They’re active, curious, and moderately assertive — not bullies, but not pushovers. Introduce new birds gradually using the see-but-don’t-touch method for 7-14 days, and ensure enough coop and run space (3-4 sq ft inside, 8-10 sq ft in the run per bird) to reduce pecking-order aggression.