The Silver Laced Wyandotte Thread

[CowboysAngel]

They grow so fast! I remember when I'd put my hand in the brooder and they'd run away to a far corner, now they come running to meet me and eat out of my hand every day...they're sweet and smart! I was able to integrate them with my flock at 6 1/2 weeks! They're a flock within the flock...the adults ramble around the whole 4 acres and they stick to staying at the chicken yard. They follow me into the brooder coop and try to blend with the 4 week olds I hatched from my flocks eggs...I am going to start letting them come in the chicken yard starting tomorrow...

 

[Fancychooklady]

I have 5 pullets that are 8 weeks old...none of them have pretty lacing...

I'll go take a picture..

Okay, so apparently I was mistaken, I've just never taken a close look from this angle before...usually I just see them from above...and their backs are just blotchy still... Lol

How old before they start looking really pretty?

The lacing varies from line to line. Ideally it should be crisp and uniform in shape. Not all birds are show quality and most people are happy with ' pet ' quality pretty layers. Some also change quite considerably after their first molt.

 

[CowboysAngel]

The lacing varies from line to line. Ideally it should be crisp and uniform in shape. Not all birds are show quality and most people are happy with ' pet ' quality pretty layers. Some also change quite considerably after their first molt.

thanks, I have no idea what their breeding may be, They we're bought at our local grocery/feed store...

 

[Fool for Chicks]

Does anyone know how long a chick can go without a heat lamp? I want to pick up two SLW 5 hours away, I'm worried about traveling that long. How can I keep them warm?

I thought I would let everyone know my chicks and I had a successful trip. I put a hand warmer in a sock and tossed it under the shavings. I'm a very proud mother hen of my new babies. We ended up on a big detour and they insisted I had my hand in the box to cuddle with the entire trip. Thank you all for the great tips.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I thought I would let everyone know my chicks and I had a successful trip. I put a hand warmer in a sock and tossed it under the shavings. I'm a very proud mother hen of my new babies. We ended up on a big detour and they insisted I had my hand in the box to cuddle with the entire trip. Thank you all for the great tips.

So glad to hear. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Fool for Chicks]

 

[Fool for Chicks]

Both of my new girls. They wouldn't hold still, but the didn't mind being in the flower pot for a few seconds.

 

[Fool for Chicks]

Both of my new girls. They wouldn't hold still, but they didn't mind being in the flower pot for a few seconds.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Oh that's cute.

 

[MrsFitzDarcy]

I was wondering if you could guide me a bit. I am still having problems getting fertile eggs from my SLW hens. My SLW roo, whom I bought from Jim Monk, has about 90% fertility still with my blue copper Marans hen in the same pen. I'd pull her out, but she seems like a great gauge for rooster fertility. Do you have any suggestions? Should I put the roo with just one hen and see what happens? Do I need a "hornier" more aggressive rooster?

Anyone know any breeder quality west coasters or mountain zone breeders (of juvenile/adult birds) so the shipping trip would be easier as I am in southern AZ? It's getting hot here so if I were to get an adult, I'd need to do it soon.

Also, I saw some hatchery SLWs at the feed store and they were closer to black with chipmunk stripes. Mine have much more "roaning" (horse term from a horse girl) and very faint vestiges of chipmunk striping. Mine have a very fine mix of silver down and taupe (silvery brown) down. Is there a significance to this? My oldest juvenile just got his/her first crop of adult feathers. They are mostly white at the shaft. Is this to be expect in the first feathering? Is there anything I can look for?

(Cross posting on the regular Wyandotte thread.)

PS: A chicken friend of mine was told by a judge out here that the hens should have white heads. That's not true, is it?