The Silver Laced Wyandotte Thread

[ashncarson]

I bought these 2 babies as 6 week old silver laced Wyandottes. They are hatchery birds so I know they're not up to standard, which I don't care about. I just had a couple of questions. The first one looks like it has a different type of comb than the other. Maybe a single comb? Does that mean it's mixed with something? Also, do they look 6 weeks? They're VERY small. The pictures make them look much bigger than they are but they're only about the size of an orange, maybe grapefruit lol. The one that's more black is much smaller than the other. Do you think the one with the weird comb could be a cockerel? The lady said I could exchange it if it is but just curious. Thanks!

Here is one of mine at 6 weeks today, and a male.
same guy 14 days ago .

Here is my wyandotte mix cockeral with a single comb










here is their size next to mom/aunt

 

[sukochickens]

Here is one of mine at 6 weeks today, and a male. same guy 14 days ago . Here is my wyandotte mix cockeral with a single comb here is their size next to mom/aunt

Thanks! I was thinking they were closer to 4 weeks not 6. They look more like the one of yours at 4 weeks. Same amount of feathering. I'm hopeful that they're both pullets but only time will tell. Beautiful birds by the way!

 

[ashncarson]

Thanks! I was thinking they were closer to 4 weeks not 6. They look more like the one of yours at 4 weeks. Same amount of feathering. I'm hopeful that they're both pullets but only time will tell. Beautiful birds by the way!

Thank for your beautiful bird comment...I must decide which 3 I keep, I have one chossen but still have to figure out which other two. they are wyandotte mix and some buff mixes.



4 weeks



Today

 

[sukochickens]

Thank for your beautiful bird comment...I must decide which 3 I keep, I have one chossen but still have to figure out which other two. they are wyandotte mix and some buff mixes. 4 weeks Today

Oh wow! She is gorgeous!!! I wish I could take her off your hands lol!

 

[sukochickens]

Here are a couple more pics. Any thoughts on gender for the single comb with these? The darker one is SO much smaller than single comb! She's like the size of a little wren lol!

 

[MrsFitzDarcy]

I bought these 2 babies as 6 week old silver laced Wyandottes. They are hatchery birds so I know they're not up to standard, which I don't care about. I just had a couple of questions. The first one looks like it has a different type of comb than the other. Maybe a single comb? Does that mean it's mixed with something? Also, do they look 6 weeks? They're VERY small. The pictures make them look much bigger than they are but they're only about the size of an orange, maybe grapefruit lol. The one that's more black is much smaller than the other. Do you think the one with the weird comb could be a cockerel? The lady said I could exchange it if it is but just curious. Thanks!

Sorry for the picture overload!

I have chicks now and then that are small. I don't know if it is failure to thrive. Had a respiratory infection going around, so that could've stunted them. I dunno.

 

[kristaschics15]

Jack 9 weeks old. He's so gorgeous to me. Not that smart (as he's in the coop with the door wide open while his girls are free ranging) but whenever I go in with treats he always lets the ladies get some first.

 

[sukochickens]

I have chicks now and then that are small. I don't know if it is failure to thrive. Had a respiratory infection going around, so that could've stunted them. I dunno.

Thanks! I guess they maybe could have had one early on. They don't appear to have one now. I'm thinking they're just younger than the lady told me they are. They look more like 4 weeks than 6.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thank for your beautiful bird comment...I must decide which 3 I keep, I have one chossen but still have to figure out which other two. they are wyandotte mix and some buff mixes. 4 weeks Today

Last bird looks like a columbian wyandotte.

 

[forgetful]

I'm hoping some breeders could help me out. I'm trying to make a culling decision and learn a bit in the process. I have one cock that is about a year and a half old. I'll include photos for reference. I have him with two hatchery quality hens, and so I bought five chicks from a local lady for replacement hens, and in addition to keep an extra cockerel. I ended up with two pullets and three cockerels, and they are now two months old and growing beautifully. I would like to cull one of the cockerels now, and have a few questions since I know this is extremely early.




Cock, with hen for reference




One of the pullets for reference

My first and main question: Is it acceptable to cull for size at this point? While none of the three are scrawny, two of them have larger frames than the third. Can this be something to base my decision off of, or is size something that can change? I am considering this a good idea because I think that a smaller bird will not become larger than a bigger bodied bird, but I would like to know for sure.


Size difference notable here


Possible cull in the middle


Cull ^


^ The larger of the two in the picture below



^ Cull




Only wing shot I got of the three



Second question: This is in regards to lacing. The largest bodied cockerel has much heavier black lacing than the others, but is the largest in body frame. I am not considering this a culling factor, but would like to see if anyone has prior experience with a bird with this type of lacing. His hackles are also completely black, while the other two seem more of a hen line, if I had to put a name to it.





And a third, slightly unrelated question: At what age have your cocks become unviable? I really like the cock I have, though I am waiting to see how the cockerels mature, and would like to know how many breeding seasons I can get from him with the new stock.


I apologize for the long post, and appreciate any help I can get. Thank you!