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Andalusian Information
Andalusian
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Egg Laying
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| Meat Production |
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| Show Status |
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| Aggressiveness |
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| Broodiness |
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| Space Needs |
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| Bantam Version? |
No
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| Preferred Climate |
Any
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Andalusian Qualities
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Egg layers, the Andalusian will lay three
large, white eggs a week up to 160 a year. The pullets start laying early as five
months of age. Hens often make noise prior to laying and will cackle for several
minutes after the event. Andalusians often lay eggs far into the winter months. With
their close feathered plumage, Andalusians tolerate cold weather well. They will
withstand confinement but do best with ample opportunity for foraging. Known as an
active breed, they run fast. Andalusians seldom brood. The combination of these
characteristics contribute to their predisposition toward feather
eating.
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Andalusian Temperament
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One of the oldest Mediterranean breeds, the Andalusian has an
intractable temperament more suitable for experienced chicken farmers. Like most
foraging breeds, they thrive on activity and survive by remaining alert. Even though
their dark plumage protects them from predators, they usually run when threatened.
Noisy, outgoing, and easily bored they need constant diversion and attention. Handled
correctly, however, they outproduce most other breeds. Chicken farmers sum up the
Andalusian with one word, “flighty.”
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Andalusian Appearance
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Besides their prodigious egg production Andalusian have a stunning
show plumage of dark blue feathers fringed with a black tips. They sport a single
red comb with matching long wattles contrasted by brilliant white ear lobes. With
their piercing brown eyes and sharp black beak they have a stately bearing in the
ring. Andalusians from the same brood can have a black or black mottled plumage.
The American Poultry Association (APA) only accepts the bright, black-laced,
blue-feathered species in show. Show- quality Andalusians come about rarely and
only as a result of genetically monitored breeding.
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Andalusian Upkeep
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As a cold-hardy breed the Andalusian demand few comforts in the
coop. However, outside of the coop they need a large run with ample space for
foraging. Researchers have seen feather eating problems among foragers like the
Andalusian but have yet to fully understand all the reasons. However, they have
formulated suggestions for Andalusian owners which can really help ward off
feather eating. Andalusians may eat feathers to replace protein lost in their
egg production. Give them extra protein in the form of enhanced chicken feed or
supplement their feed with cat food. Chickens eat all the time. Foragers like
the Andalusians sometimes eat eat to relieve boredom. Make sure that they have
plenty of food, water, greens, and black oil sunflower seeds. Provide
diversions e.g. an old log full of bugs for them to chase.
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Andalusian History
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Part of the Mediterranean class of chickens, the Andalusian
gets it name from a province in Spain. Spain exported the Andalusian to
England and America in the 1850's. The Blue Andalusian resulted from the
breeding of a white Andalusian with a black Andalusian. The famous
geneticist Gregor Mendel used Andalusians in his historic experiments with
dominant and recessive genes. The low percentages of show-quality Blue
Andalusians secured only through genetic breeding make the breed too
expensive and time consuming for the average chicken farmer. Consequently,
Andalusians have grown quite rare.
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Andalusian Photos
Andalusian Videos
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