In American usage, an Easter egger or Easter-egger is any hybrid or mixed-breed chicken resulting from the breeding of a bird carrying the blue egg (oocyan) gene with one that lays brown eggs. Eggs from such a bird may be any shade of blue or brown,[1]: 175 , or occasionally pink or pale yellow.[2] These birds do not constitute a breed, and so are not recognized by the American Poultry Association or the American Bantam Association.[2] They may be marketed as "Americana", but are quite different from the Ameraucana, a recognized breed.[2]
Characteristics
Hybrid birds of this type may be of any color. They are commonly muffed and bearded, often with a pea-comb; the wattles may be small or absent. The legs can be grey, yellow, or greenish.[1]: 175 Because of their cross-breeding, Easter Eggers do not have set egg or body colors. Easter Eggers are mainly egg-laying birds, as their meat is not great. Easter Eggers are also known for being good pets around children.[citation needed]