Silver Laced Wyandottes- bad attitudes?

[blaundee]

I have always wanted to try Silver Laced Wyandottes- with all the different breeds and varieties that I've tried over the years, I had never tried them. So I bought some this spring. First thing I noticed- they were not as hardy/thrifty as the many other breeds I've tried. The only other breed I've had that was less hardy than them were Porcelains, and Porcelains are just little tiny things anyway.

Second thing I noticed was that they were mean. The rooster was very aggressive, and the hens later turned aggressive as well, picking each others heads and attacking me- Not acceptable. I raised them by hand just like all the others, trying to make them into pets. My other chickens- I can walk up to them and pick them up when they are loose, and they never bite me, etc. They like me. Not the Wyandottes.

The meanness was what made me give them away, though they are gorgeous birds, just so pretty- I can't stand mean animals. (I raise American Fighting Game chickens and they are not at all mean, great pets.)

So anyway, I am just wondering if it was just my batch of birds, or is this typical of this breed? They are SO pretty...

 

[Katy]

I think it depends on the line they're from. If they were from a hatchery they were bred for numbers without culling for bad attitudes, poor lacing, body shape, those kinds of things. Mine are very friendly and calm birds, but they are from a couple of breeders...not hatcheries which I think makes a lot of difference.

 

[blaundee]

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Ahhh, I never thought of that! Duh... lol

 

[Dustin Biery]

That has also been my experience with the breed. Been flogged by SLW more than any other breeds. Bent down to pick up the feeder and sorry scumbag got me right by the eye. I didn't wait to give him away, he was stew by the end of the day!

 

[blaundee]

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LOL I don't blame you!! He woulda been hanging from my hand by his neck immediately!!! My rooster was not even 2 months old and flogging me!!! You could barely tell he was a rooster!!! Had he actually caused me to bleed, he woulda been in the crockpot that day!

 

[Dustin Biery]

He would have been culled right that minute, but when I got my composure back, he was running for his life...Literally!!!!!!

 

[blaundee]

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[Krys109uk]

I have not had wyandottes in US, but the wyandottes I had back in Europe were lovely mellow birds. They didn't particularly want to be handled, but I don't make pets of my chickens.
I expect, like Katy said, it depends upon line. I've even heard people tell of Orpingtons being aggressive.

 

[fasbendera]

Say it isn't so! I have three six week old SLW I ordered this summer and I love the coloring. They let me pick them up so I hope they stay nice.

 

[blaundee]

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Wow, I've never heard of Orpingtons being aggressive! I love Orps, especially the buff ones- SO cute and sweet!!!

I guess there is plenty to be said of selective breeding, breeding for QUALITY vs QUANTITY. You know, as a horse breeder, I fully understand the importance of breeding for temperament, but I really never thought of breeding for temperament in chickens! I don't knwo why I never considered it, as long as I've had chickens!!!