Wyandotte Chicken Breed: The Ultimate Guide
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The Wyandotte chicken breed is a favorite among backyard flock owners for their dependable, egg-laying, easygoing nature and cold hardiness. They are an excellent bird for a beginner chicken owner, families with kids, or even an experienced chicken flock owner looking for a dependable egg layer.
History of the Wyandotte chicken breed
The Wyandotte chicken breed is an American chicken breed that was developed in the 1870s and named for the indigenous Wyandotte people. They were initially called American Seabrights but were changed to Wyandottes when they were admitted to the American Poultry Association in 1883. The first type of Wyandotte chicken was a silver-laced variety, followed by a golden-laced variety.
The personality of a Wyandotte chicken
The Wyandotte chicken breed is calm and friendly and would make a great addition as a backyard family pet. They don't often go broody, but they make excellent mothers when they do. Wyandottes are generally a quiet breed and are a good choice if you have neighbors nearby.
While Wyandottes are a calm and friendly breed, in a mixed flock, they tend to be a dominant breed that naturally falls at the head of the pecking order.
The appearance of Wyandotte chickens
Wyandottes have a heavy body, which makes them a great dual-purpose choice, and a small rose comb makes them perfect for cold climates because they are not prone to frostbite. They have clean feathered yellow legs and four toes. The rooster's weight is 8-9 lbs and the hen's 6-7 lbs.
Feather facts about Wyandotte chickens
There are several feather patterns found in the Wyandotte chicken breed. The American Poultry Association recognizes Columbian, golden laced, silver laced, partridge, silver penciled, black, blue, buff, and white. Other colors bred but not recognized by the APA are the blue-laced red, chocolate, and lavender variety.
Egg color and production of the Wyandotte chickens
Wyandotte hens are good layers of large cream to brown-colored eggs. They usually start laying eggs around 4-5 months of age. You can expect them to lay about 150-200 large eggs yearly or 3-4 per week. They tend to lay well in the winter compared to other chicken breeds.
Care and health for Wyandotte chickens
The Wyandotte chicken breed is very hardy and can do well in both heat and cold weather. They don't have any specific health concerns and should be cared for as any other chickens in your flock are. The average lifespan if the Wyandotte chicken breed is 6-12 years.
Do you have any Wyandotte chickens in your backyard flock? Share with us in the comments below.
4 comments
Got 2 golden laced last March as part of a mixed flock which included Australorps and White Austras. Going on a year now and they have been great. Made it through +100 degree days and -10 degree nights. (I did move the flock to my garage for a week during both the extreme hot and cold weather.) They are definitely not at the pecking order. One is actually at the bottom. Good layers. One is always under my feet checking on what I’m doing and hoping for snacks. The one at the bottom of the order is skittish but has warmed up to me after I rescued her from our stretch of miserable cold weather! She in particular can get pretty loud when she is singing her egg song.
I have 3 Wyandottes in my flock – 1 Silver laced -nd 2 Gold laced. I find that my golds are a bit aggressive when treats come out. The definitely are striking birds that stan out in my flock.
I have 2 golden laced girls that are excellent egg layers. They are smaller and a bit flighty compared to the rest of my flock, but I guess that’s what makes them a little more predator resistant. Whatever the case, I absolutely love them. ❤️
Recently acquired 4 chick’s. Anticipating a wonderful experience. My violent comets are aged and enjoying retirement. Wyandotte seems to be a perfect replacement fit. Eggs by the end of summer. Can’t wait !