The Silver Laced Wyandotte Thread

[dracoe19]

Hello, I am getting SLW' s in 3weeks. I have never owned chickens before. Can you all give me all the advice you can( down to the littlest tidbit!)? I am counting on you. I am scared that I might miss some (not) obvious signs. Please help!!

Hello and welcome to the chicken world!

I think wyandottes are a very good starting bird for a beginner keeper. They were some of our first birds. I think the main thing with wyandottes is be patient! They take a little longer than other breeds to mature and sometimes don't start laying until 9-10 months old. Here are some helpful articles that will help with the basics of chickens keeping ----->

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-your-baby-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens

When you raise chicks I prefer using wood shaving because they are easy to clean up BUT be sure they stay dry. If they get wet get rid of the wet bedding immediately. With the heat and moisture it will mold and make your chicks sick in a very short amount of time. If you have any other questions I'm sure everyone would be more than happy to answer .

 

[dracoe19]

Just found this thread, glad to see its still going.

I have 10 SLW pullets, 11 1/2 wks old, Estes Hatchery origin. My problem is I use broody hens exclusively to raise my chicks and since they won't conform to a schedule, I only have 3 weeks to arrange day old chicks to supplement a hatch. Last 2 hatches all my local suppliers of quality birds were out, so here I am with hatchery SLWs. We plan to cull heavily, will look at body type at least as much as feathering. Any suggestions for 3 week windows on day olds? (and tomorrow is day 21 for my MaransChick),

I would plan a few months ahead for your 3 week window. It's a slim shot for breeders to have chicks available in such a short period. There may also be a waiting list so it's always a good idea to be ahead of the power curve.

 

[dracoe19]

Some of the youngsters sitting on top of one of the breeding pens

 

[dracoe19]

Here are some recent pictures of my girls and babies


The boy I am planning on keeping. Already a bit bigger than1/2 his dad is and he is less than 6 months old!

Same boy from the side.

Another boy I have considered keeping. His saddle is a little dark though.

Better detail of the darker saddle boy. Should I keep him to see how he grows up or cull him? His type is looking good just his color I have doubts about. He is also missing a toe on his right foot... If he did become a show bird he would just get points deducted for the toe correct? or would he be disqualified?

First boy pictured again

1st boy (leaning down) and 2nd boy (pictured on the front right). The birds in the back ground are the parents. They are already getting to be their size.

My boy Copernicus and one of his ladies. All the babies I have hatched have been from him.

This girl is actually a hatchery bird. She has some dirty feathers but she is a big girl with some nice type. Some of the babies pictured are hers. I'm hoping she will add some unknown blood into my group. I know many say not to do this but she has many positive attributes like still laying at the age of 4 years, type, lacing, wide head, etc. I feel she will add some good traits to my babies.



Copernicus posing for me. He has almost doubled in size since I have gotten him. Looks like he rolling in something and got his saddle dirty lol.

 

[Wyandotte103]

Thank you dracoe19! Anything atall else?!??it would be much appreciated. February 14! Going to show sometime in July!!

Hello and welcome to the chicken world! 

I think wyandottes are a very good starting bird for a beginner keeper. They were some of our first birds. I think the main thing with wyandottes is be patient! They take a little longer than other breeds to mature and sometimes don't start laying until 9-10 months old. Here are some helpful articles that will help with the basics of chickens keeping ----->

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-your-baby-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens

When you raise chicks I prefer using wood shaving because they are easy to clean up BUT be sure they stay dry. If they get wet get rid of the wet bedding immediately. With the heat and moisture it will mold and make your chicks sick in a very short amount of time. If you have any other questions I'm sure everyone would be more than happy to answer . 

 

[Wyandotte103]

Everybody please help!!!!!!!!! I have a catastrophic event!! All I need to know is this: how old are SLWs when they are fully feathered?!?!? They might not be fully feathered in time to show. Please help!!

 

[dracoe19]

When you send a wyandotte to show I would say let them be 6 months at least. I sent in some to a show that were still kinda young and I just got a participation ribbon :/

 

[aoccl]

Standard Wyandottes can take a long time up to 8 months or more on the hens and the cockerals sometimes need 10 months or more to be fully feathered. Bantams are much quicker and lots of times show well around 6months or more.

 

[Wyandotte103]

I might not be able to show!!!!•••••

 

[CottonGinWaste]

I would plan a few months ahead for your 3 week window. It's a slim shot for breeders to have chicks available in such a short period. There may also be a waiting list so it's always a good idea to be ahead of the power curve.

Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to plan when my girls go broody. I'm thinking of contacting breeders, offering to buy the day olds, but not have them shipped until a hen goes broody, ie holding a place at the top of the shipping list (once I get there) until the chicks are needed . . .

I cringe when I see pictures of quality SLWs and compare them to my hatcheries; especially the body type.