The Silver Laced Wyandotte Thread

[Birdybooo]

I am actually considering entering in a show for a bit of fun, but if I get any more involved with poultry my husband might kick me and chickens out we agreed on 2 pet chickens, currently we have 5 (I swear I only counted 2).

 

[Mi Ranchito]

LOL!!!! Loved the line "I swear I only counted 2!" Yup! It happens to me too....I think it is called "chicken math!"

 

[buddy phoenix]

my slw have crazy personalities n full of energy is this normal?

 

[Wyandotte96]

Corey,

What are the faults you see in your birds? Your female is definitely a darker female (which isn't a bad thing). It is hard for me to really see the details of your male. Would you say he has stronger silver/ white on him?
I have a breeding pen where I have a dark male over a light female in it. So far they have balanced each other very well.
Are there any other nit picky things you see in your birds that you would like to improve?

My cockerel lightens up in his chest and towards his wings a little bit so if I breed him to the dark hen I plan on getting nice colored birds from the cross. Only problem is he is not very fertile.

 

[dracoe19]

My cockerel lightens up in his chest and towards his wings a little bit so if I breed him to the dark hen I plan on getting nice colored birds from the cross. Only problem is he is not very fertile.

Sounds like a good pairing. As for fertility there maybe a few tricks you can try. Does he stay in an indoor pen? Does he have access to the outdoors? I know some breeders use artificial light in the coop to help increase fertility during the darker days. Also adding some more protein may help. I have been adding cheap cat food with a fish base to one of my groups and they LOVE it. The extra protein may help him out and will help your hens as well. Is he with many hens or just the one? Sorry for all the questions I'm nerding out a bit ).

 

[heatherscooby77]

Sounds like a good pairing. As for fertility there maybe a few tricks you can try. Does he stay in an indoor pen? Does he have access to the outdoors? I know some breeders use artificial light in the coop to help increase fertility during the darker days. Also adding some more protein may help. I have been adding cheap cat food with a fish base to one of my groups and they LOVE it. The extra protein may help him out and will help your hens as well. Is he with many hens or just the one? Sorry for all the questions I'm nerding out a bit ).

I don't think you are nerding out at all. I give my chickens higher fat, and extra protein. I have tried to remove all the man made protein, and high carb feeds. My birds are actually more energetic, breed more often, and have better fertility. I only have 2 hens right now for breeding. I set 8 eggs, all of them are fertile. I don't trim or do AI, yet at least.................. Trying to keep things natural! I used to never see my rooster breeding the hens, now I catch him a lot more often. IDK I feel like the trend of an all veggie diet for the chickens isn't the best for them. Of course that is just my opinion.

 

[Too Fast]

I'd rather here a rooster crowing in the morning than hear police sirens and gun shots. Glad I live in the mountains and not in a city!

Advantages/disadvantages of both. Fortunately I don't hear any gunshots where I live. No bears/boars to worry about either. No nearby neighbors is a plus for country/mountain living, traveling 30 minutes to the grocery/any store is a negative for me. But yes, no question I'd rather hear the roosters in the morning! We've been hearing peacocks for the last 10 years. Neighbor not too far has them! I think chickens also, haven't been by there for a while.

Here is my baby Silver Laced Wyandotte, she is 24 weeks old and is currently getting picked on by a 13 weeks old Light Sussex because she is so gentle. She is so funny, this morning a crow flew above us and she couldn't find any immediate shelter in the yard so she ran under my legs lol.

Beautiful SLW, and funny story about seeking shelter!

 

[Too Fast]

I am actually considering entering in a show for a bit of fun, but if I get any more involved with poultry my husband might kick me and chickens out

we agreed on 2 pet chickens, currently we have 5 (I swear I only counted 2).

Yes indeed. Chicken math!

 

[cleopatra]

Henrietta, my 10wk old SLW pullet.

She looks a lot like my girl April when I got her at 8 weeks old. Here she is now at 14 weeks. I love the way they get more beautiful every day. Even though she's not going to look like some of these gorgeous show birds on this thread, I wouldn't trade her for anything. She has the best personality.

 

[Wyandotte96]

Sounds like a good pairing. As for fertility there maybe a few tricks you can try. Does he stay in an indoor pen? Does he have access to the outdoors? I know some breeders use artificial light in the coop to help increase fertility during the darker days. Also adding some more protein may help. I have been adding cheap cat food with a fish base to one of my groups and they LOVE it. The extra protein may help him out and will help your hens as well. Is he with many hens or just the one? Sorry for all the questions I'm nerding out a bit ).

He is in an indoor pen but he will be outside in the summer,he has a window in the indoor pen and he is with only one hen.