Opinion on Wyandotte Feathering

[MadisonOde]

Hey everyone,
I would just like some opinions on my 7 week golden Wyandotte pullet’s feathering. I am looking into entering her into small poultry shows. However, I’m new to this. I also know she’s not a show bird. Advice? Thanks!

 

[MadisonOde]

 

[Table4Six]

I'm sorry, but she's not a show quality bird. Her lacing is not consistent which is one of the things that makes a show quality Wyandotte. For the record though, I think she's one of the cutest Wyandottes I've ever seen! She just wouldn't be considered a show quality bird.

 

[MadisonOde]

Ok, thanks! And by consistent lacing do you mean like the width of the lacing all around or something else? Like I said, I’m new to this.

 

[Kessel23]

Yeah, the lacing is different widths and not all the feathers have lacing. Also, I see some white/grey tipped feathers on her. I am no expert and not even a very experienced person with show birds but that's just what I am thinking. She is still a very beautiful bird and she has a good body shape for a GLW IMO but the feathering just doesn't look show quality for a GLW, it is better than some of my GLW's feathering though lol.

If you want birds for show then you should search for a smaller breeder who breeds his birds to the standards of their breed. Most hatchery birds are not show quality and won't get you far in any show, this is because the hatcheries do not breed them to a standard and will let any bird that looks somewhat decent into the breeding flocks. SOme hatcheries do claim to have show quality birds though, for example, McMurray claims that the owner of their breeding flock of Silver Leghorns breeds them to a strict standard and they are great quality and have won many shows. The reviews on the bird seems to support that claim but I still would not be so confident in those birds, I actually got some this year, I ordered 5 pullets but got only 1 and then 4 roosters, because the hatchery apparently does not know how to sex chickens, I will have to see how they turn out, I am not interested in show though.

Some of my friends do show their birds and they will buy a small flock of that breed and then raise them all up and pick the best ones to enter into the show, they get them from hatcheries. Again, I do not show my birds and I have not showed my birds or done any research on showing birds so yeah... I could be completely wrong.

 

[Table4Six]

Ok, thanks! And by consistent lacing do you mean like the width of the lacing all around or something else? Like I said, I’m new to this.

Don't be ashamed of being a new chicken owner. We all had to start somewhere

By consistent lacing, I mean there is more golden color than black on the feathers as the black is supposed to just lace the outer edge of the golden coloration. Also, consistency, the birds lacing is evenly similar in color and shape over the entire bird.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Just a little tip for anyone showing birds is ask to see the parents first then see if the chick sorta looks like them if they do then take if they don't walk away

I've raised a lot of chicks and have yet to see one that looks like its parents. Even sorta looks like.
You can absolutely not pick a guaranteed show quality chicken out as a chick.
You can increase your odds by buying from someone that shows and does well but there is still no guarantees.

 

[336White Phoenix]

And if the parents are good looking shape then the chance are ull have a better chick this is the way I do it

 

[Kessel23]

Just a little tip for anyone showing birds is ask to see the parents first then see if the chick sorta looks like them if they do then take if they don't walk away

 

[The Moonshiner]

I never once said what ur picking from was a chick lol

Really....

Just a little tip for anyone showing birds is ask to see the parents first then see if the chick sorta looks like them if they do then take if they don't walk away