Blue Laced Red Wyandotte THREAD!

[ki4got]

I have been doing some reading on this thread, as I am intrigued with BLRW. Thinking about adding a couple to my flock. The little bit of reading I am doing is raising more questions than it is answering, so, I hope someone will take the time to educate me.

I have a small (currently 5 girls) flock, allow some free range when I am home, otherwise they are in an electronet run. My understanding is that they are slow to mature, cold hardy, good winter layers. I am choosing to add rose and pea combed birds as I am in zone 4. So, here goes with the questions: I'm reading comments about blue/black/splash lacing which leads me to believe that the genetics are similar to the BBS Ameraucanas.

~~Do they breed true?

How is their behavior? Where do they typically land in the pecking order? (I have EE, BSL, RIR and will be getting Dominiques, perhaps Brown RC Leghorns) Are they any more noisy than other hens?

If I choose hatchery birds, what quality am I likely to see? I am not interested in SQ, just want nice looking birds without genetic defects.

Finally, for any one with some expertise in genetics: What's the outcome likely to look like when crossing pea combed birds with Rose combed birds? Is one comb dominant?

the blue follows the normal pattern for blue. the lacing does breed true if you're consistent with your choices in birds you breed... the center of the feather should be a deep dark rich red, the band of lacing around the outside of the feather should be narrow, and either blue black or splash (if the color is pale grey but consistent all the way around, it's a blue. splash will be nearly white with streaks of blue or black here and there. most visible on the tail feathers, since they are a solid bbs, not laced.
heres an article i wrote on the blrw a while ago.

 

[circesfire]

I think their "friendliness" depends largely on how much time you spend with them especially as chicks. I decided on wyandottes due to how pretty they were, even though I really wanted friendly pet type birds. I spent a lot of time talking to, and hanging out with the chicks ( which were 3 weeks old when I got them). Now they run towards me when they see me and will eat out of my hand. The gold laced is definitely more friendly but they will both sit on me if given the choice and will allow me to pet them.

 

[Countrypunk92]

but they will both sit on me if given the choice and will allow me to pet them.

or poop.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I think their "friendliness" depends largely on how much time you spend with them especially as chicks. I decided on wyandottes due to how pretty they were, even though I really wanted friendly pet type birds. I spent a lot of time talking to, and hanging out with the chicks ( which were 3 weeks old when I got them). Now they run towards me when they see me and will eat out of my hand. The gold laced is definitely more friendly but they will both sit on me if given the choice and will allow me to pet them.

I agree whole heartedly. The chicks that I hatched in the incubator and spent hours sitting in the sun with are much friendlier than those reared by momma. When these little ones see me coming they pick up their petticoats and come runnin. They remind me of Ellie may clampet. They often sit on the door in the morning and wait for the ' crazy food woman ' to put in an appearance .

 

[Countrypunk92]

I think their "friendliness" depends largely on how much time you spend with them especially as chicks. I decided on wyandottes due to how pretty they were, even though I really wanted friendly pet type birds. I spent a lot of time talking to, and hanging out with the chicks ( which were 3 weeks old when I got them). Now they run towards me when they see me and will eat out of my hand. The gold laced is definitely more friendly but they will both sit on me if given the choice and will allow me to pet them.

I was referring to naturally being friendly not how it was raised. You can take any breed and socialize with it and it can be the tames bird. You can take a pitbull, and give it love and train it to be a lapdog.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
well, I don't do anything special with my own birds. they're in the brooder for 3-4 weeks before being booted out most often (more in the winter) but I don't do more than feed and water them in the brooder, then the outside birds are treated the same, turned to free range when they're old enough. and my dottes are right there with my dorkings pushing and shoving at me begging for snacks. LOL

they may be a little bit more aloof than the dorkings, but I've seen no aggression at all in any of the roos. that is the key to any birds I keep.

my ee roo is probably the least friendly bird I own, but he is very respectful of people and simply walks away when i'm near. and he was more hand raised than most. (injured as a chick).

 

[Farmer Viola]

I have zero science to back this up, but what about the breeder and the parent birds influencing the chicks behavior/personality? Is that passed down?

I have 4 breeds of chicks hatched at the same time (FBC Marans, Welsummers, silkieXee + BLR Wyandotte), they were all raised together and given equal treatment. All spent time with me, were hand fed, etc. I swear to you, the Wyandottes are so unbelievably friendly and trusting, I've never ever seen chickens like that before! These were from luvinbluechickens here on BYC so in the back of my mind I keep thinking that it was HER breeding program that influenced their personalities. Maybe it's because she breeds the best personalities, or maybe she socializes them with humans or something, I don't know - they are just amazing chooks.

Don't get me wrong, all the chickies do come right into my lap when I have food! The Wyandottes are just different... they seem to actually just enjoy being on/around humans. They aren't terrified and don't scatter when I walk among them. They fly up onto my shoulder/head (that could be a bad thing depending on who you are) even when I don't have treats.

 

[Countrypunk92]

well, I don't do anything special with my own birds. they're in the brooder for 3-4 weeks before being booted out most often (more in the winter) but I don't do more than feed and water them in the brooder, then the outside birds are treated the same, turned to free range when they're old enough. and my dottes are right there with my dorkings pushing and shoving at me begging for snacks. LOL

they may be a little bit more aloof than the dorkings, but I've seen no aggression at all in any of the roos. that is the key to any birds I keep.

my ee roo is probably the least friendly bird I own, but he is very respectful of people and simply walks away when i'm near. and he was more hand raised than most. (injured as a chick).

I have never owned but one aggressive wyandotte.. I got a pair of partridge bantam from a friend and the hen was crazy. She was in a pen with 10 roos and one other female. She was evil, I had to wear gloves when feeding her and she clinched on to one while feeding once. Let's just say she didn't last long before meeting a pot.

Other then that never had an aggressive or even near dotte. The roos seem more friendly then the hens. I can go out and pick up any of them with little fuss.

 

[ki4got]

I have zero science to back this up, but what about the breeder and the parent birds influencing the chicks behavior/personality? Is that passed down?

I have 4 breeds of chicks hatched at the same time (FBC Marans, Welsummers, silkieXee + BLR Wyandotte), they were all raised together and given equal treatment. All spent time with me, were hand fed, etc. I swear to you, the Wyandottes are so unbelievably friendly and trusting, I've never ever seen chickens like that before! These were from luvinbluechickens here on BYC so in the back of my mind I keep thinking that it was HER breeding program that influenced their personalities. Maybe it's because she breeds the best personalities, or maybe she socializes them with humans or something, I don't know - they are just amazing chooks.

Don't get me wrong, all the chickies do come right into my lap when I have food! The Wyandottes are just different... they seem to actually just enjoy being on/around humans. They aren't terrified and don't scatter when I walk among them. They fly up onto my shoulder/head (that could be a bad thing depending on who you are) even when I don't have treats.

yes, personality traits can be passed along too. which is why many breeders cull aggressive roosters. that's why you see some breeds that are known for their docility, while others are known for their bad attitudes and aggression. it depends on what you are looking for in a breed and what traits you want to pass along.

I had a number of oegb when i started over with chickens a few years ago. every one of them did their best to nail people every chance they got. i tried training them out of it, but that never worked. so they all went away (sold). other breeds I've found to have aggressive roosters were polish and sultan and d'uccle. now they may have been exceptions for their breeds, but it turned me off of them entirely.

so the breeds i have now, are known for their friendly easy going temperaments. and if an occasional bad attitude pops up, he never makes it to the breeding pen but will be sold for food or eaten here at home.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks all for your responses. Now, if only spring would hasten in it's arrival! I am so thankful that the bitter cold of the last few weeks has taken at least a temporary break!