A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing

[Xerocles]

@DuckLady This thread doesn't fit the topics in your sticky post, so feel free to move it if you know where it goes.
I am researching like crazy to ascertain what breed of chicken I want. I am leaning toward Wyandottes. Reading up on the "circle" description, and looking at pictures and a few in real life, I can see it. But before I go saying "that's a Wyandotte" and sounding like a moron. Are there other breeds that exhibit this "circle" characteristic?

 

[FortCluck]

Cochins are an amazing breed, I own two of them and they're just beautiful. They are nothing but eye candy to me. I've never down show birds so I'm not familiar with circle breeds or what not. I am interested to hear what everyone has to say

 

[BantyChooks]

@DuckLady This thread doesn't fit the topics in your sticky post, so feel free to move it if you know where it goes.
I am researching like crazy to ascertain what breed of chicken I want. I am leaning toward Wyandottes. Reading up on the "circle" description, and looking at pictures and a few in real life, I can see it. But before I go saying "that's a Wyandotte" and sounding like a moron. Are there other breeds that exhibit this "circle" characteristic?

Are you talking about the lacing on the outer edge of each body feather? If so, yes. There are other laced breeds. Some also have pencilling, which is like lacing with another two little ovals inside of it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I don't know about Wyandottes, but Cochins are pretty round.... But I'm show chicken dumb. I just know I love Cochins! Beautiful and, in my experience, very mellow and friendly.

(edited to fix a typo)

 

[Willowspirit]

I doubt know about Wyandottes, but Coxhins are pretty round.... But I'm show chicken dumb. I just know I love Cochins! Beautiful and, in my experience, very mellow and friendly.

Cochins are beautiful. I think leghorns, game birds and such are definitely not circle breeds.

 

[Xerocles]

Outstanding. I have the attention of Wyandotte owners and Cochin owners. I feel like I might learn something today.
First, I'm not looking for show Birds. I'm not willing to pay the price, and quite frankly, I'm not worthy of giving them their due. But if I could find a chicken with, say a comb that was kind of off and keep them from showing, but everything else was sop, I would be tickled as a pig in mud. I like Beauty, and I like the best quality that I can afford. Chickens that approach perfection don't cost any more to feed than the mutts that I have running around my backyard now.( those are my training chickens, I appreciate them, and I take good care of them. They have given me pleasure....and lots of yummy eggs.) I also didn't learn to drive and the latest year model Corvette. But now I would like to "trade up" to something flashier than a 20 year old Ford.
And to continue with the car comparison, there are just so many beautiful ones out there, each with its own strong points and weaknesses. To me, Wyandottes just say "CHICKEN". At the risk of p.o.ing anyone (there are some people on this site who get really upset if you don't agree that "their" breed is the epitome of chickendom) there are breeds out there that just leave me cold. Let someone offer me a Silkie who won Best of Show in an APA show, and I would say politely "thats very nice, but no thank you". But a Wyandotte thats a few steps off from being show quality....now we're talking. The form (circles I was talking about) is pleasing to my psyche. Plus th coloring on many of them (WillowSpirit, if you have a mysterious predator who opens your coop with a bolt cutter, and your gold laced and silver laced are just vanished, you may want to look me up ) just blows me away!
Whew! Apologies for getting carried away with the length of this. Anyhow, to the point of the thread. I was at a county fair this week (for the chickens of course). As I entered the barn, immediately, 3/4 of the way down, about 20 birds away, I saw what I KNEW was a Wyandotte. Not close enough to see the color of the legs or count the toes or even tell if it had a true rose comb. But the profile was unmistakable. Now to the wonderful folks who have told me about Cochins. YES. The body styles are very similar, but from some quick picture research, they are mabe a little more oval shaped than round. But still very eye pleasing. And most certainly a close second in my drool book...but I'd have a little trouble with those feathery legs. Can you teach a hen to shave her legs?
So yes, Willowspirit. The circle you illustrated is exactly what I was talking about. Silly novice me just assumed everyone else knew. Actually it appears to be two circles.....the body AND the head, deep, short, and also somewhat forming a circle.
So, I have been educated. My question answered. I better be careful. And get a closer look. Cause that Wyandotte that I spot at a distance MIGHT just turn out to have feathery legs. LOL.
Thanks EVERYBODY. It was an enlightening thread. I learned. And Willowspirit, when you went out to release the birds this morning, I bet you saw circles.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I saw it on my Orp, too - haha! When I think of the perfect, standard, species-defining chicken breed, I think of Orps. That there is the most chickeny chicken I can think of.

 

[Xerocles]

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY! Maybe this should be a whole new thread. Possibly even an article. Let's see. We started with Wyandottes. Somebody tossed in Cochins. And then lovely Orpington made an entry.
Let's start with a gold laced Wyandotte. Develop from a Silver Laced Wyandotte and a Cochin / Leg Horn cross. And the Cochin breed came from China, Heritage lost.
Of course the Silver Laced Wyandotte came from a cross of the Hamburg (dashing good looks) with the Brahma (sexy voluptious body). And the Brahma? Chinese, heritage lost. Orpington? Minorca cock X Plymouth hen (with some Langshan tossed in) which was developed from Cochin/Brahma.
So the Brahma, Cochin, & Langshan all came from China, heritage unknown. And the Orp was Cochin/Brahma (both Chinese) and Wyandotte is predominately Cochin/Brahma.
With limited trade with China and piss-poor record keeping back in the day, the Brahma and Cochin could be very closely related, or maybe even variations of the same chicken!
We might all be admiring the same chicken.
Kind of reminds me of some family trees in the Southern Appalachians (I'm from Southern Appalachia so I can say that)
Anyway. They're all very similar. And all very beautiful. And we love them all very much.

 

[Xerocles]

wait a sec just bought three blue cochin these are large breed birds did not know they where large breed thought they where all banty

Ya know. I feel so sorry this happened to you. Being a good chicken neighbor, I want to help out. Bring them over to my place and I'll give you your money back X2. What more can a neighbor offer? (BTW I'm in SC)

 

[Willowspirit]

Are you talking about the lacing on the outer edge of each body feather? If so, yes. There are other laced breeds. Some also have pencilling, which is like lacing with another two little ovals inside of it.

I think he is talking about this from backyard poultry.