The day old Americauna chicks we got the first of June have matured and are finally laying eggs!
I have always been amazed that Auracaunas which origninated in Mexico did so well in our cold climate. I guess they have been slightly hybridized because the name has changed in the Murray McMurray catalog. We have had many breeds of chicken over the past 25 years, Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, Silver Laced Wyandottes and even a few mysteries. These breeds are beautiful and I love having a varied flock, but I have to say that the Americaunas seem to lay well in the cold weather and they also lay dependably longer into their maturity.
I do not cull my flock. They are not pets in any sense, but we add a few new layers every spring and keep all the chickens until they die at a dignified age. Or until they get caught by a predator. We protect them as best we can, but nature is red is tooth and claw.