The Wyandotte Thread

[Sylvester017]

We have Bantam Delawares that lay an egg almost the size of a large fowl pullet egg. These hens are friendly, gentle and go broody about once a year, and they are talkative. Hens weigh in at 30 ounces, but they act like big girls. For comparison, I included a photo of the Cock who weighs in at 34 ounces. One of my little hens goes to the LF Cochin pen to lay her egg...5 a week.

I never considered Delawares since feedback from owners on the LF didn't fit our needs. Never knew there were bantam Delawares! Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Alexandra33]

I briefly considered looking to see if Wyans came in bantam size but then I didn't want to deal with more bantams since they are broodier and it cuts into their production output. I can have only 5 hens and no roos. I already have two bantam Silkies and they wear me out when they go broody so I don't want to add more bantams. I like Silkies because when they do lay eggs the size is pretty big for a bantam egg but their broodiness is a headache - I worry about keeping them healthy, watered, and fed while brooding. I understand Sussex and Faverolles and Brahma are gentle breeds but they are so huge! Too big around my 2-lb Silkies lol! We're keeping our tiny flock 5-lb-&-under and it's been easier on feed and space - 2 Silkies, an Ameraucana, and a Breda. I like the Hamburgs but think they might be too spunky/flighty in a little yard like ours. We don't eat our birds so big birds aren't needed.

We don't eat our chickens, either. Yes, my Hamburg is extremely hyperactive and all over the place. Those who don't have suffient room to accommodate their amazing flying abilities may find these habits frustrating. I must say that Black Sumatras are a small bird that can also fly very well, but ours is significantly calmer and a wonderful, peaceful girl.

-Alexandra33

 

[Sylvester017]

We don't eat our chickens, either. Yes, my Hamburg is extremely hyperactive and all over the place. Those who don't have suffient room to accommodate their amazing flying abilities may find these habits frustrating. I must say that Black Sumatras are a small bird that can also fly very well, but ours is significantly calmer and a wonderful, peaceful girl.

-Alexandra33

I love the looks of the Gold Spangled Hams with their rose-combs but I know we don't have enough space to keep one busy in our little yard. I hear nice things about Sumatras too except one TX owner said theirs was more pet than for eggs since it wasn't a great layer. Our Amer stopped laying her 2nd year and the weather is in the 100s so we're not expecting anything from her since it's been almost 6 months. Our friend's EE stopped laying her 2nd year too but we keep the birds because they are so incredibly sweet and kind to flockmates. They don't do well in hot climates but our Silkies are laying no matter what the temps are!

 

[chrissyr]

Can anyone tell me tips on sexing wyandottes?
We've had blrw and have some young lavenders now. I've learned to tell my other breeds pretty well, but the wyandottes are a bit harder.
It looks like the boys get red on the comb quicker, but what I think are girls are now getting that too.
Any help would be appreciated

 

[dfr1973]

Can anyone tell me tips on sexing wyandottes?
We've had blrw and have some young lavenders now. I've learned to tell my other breeds pretty well, but the wyandottes are a bit harder.
It looks like the boys get red on the comb quicker, but what I think are girls are now getting that too.
Any help would be appreciated

Well, Wyandottes aren't always easy to sex. I had one in the pullet tractor who suddenly grew hackle and saddle feathers ... but most of the cockerels will get redder combs quicker and start growing wattles earlier than the pullets. Some wait until puberty hits full-on before showing which they truly are.

 

[chrissyr]

Well, Wyandottes aren't always easy to sex.  I had one in the pullet tractor who suddenly grew hackle and saddle feathers ... but most of the cockerels will get redder combs quicker and start growing wattles earlier than the pullets.  Some wait until puberty hits full-on before showing which they truly are.

thank you. I'll try to watch the waddle and combs but they are tricky little buggers

 

[Alexandra33]

I love the looks of the Gold Spangled Hams with their rose-combs but I know we don't have enough space to keep one busy in our little yard. I hear nice things about Sumatras too except one TX owner said theirs was more pet than for eggs since it wasn't a great layer. Our Amer stopped laying her 2nd year and the weather is in the 100s so we're not expecting anything from her since it's been almost 6 months. Our friend's EE stopped laying her 2nd year too but we keep the birds because they are so incredibly sweet and kind to flockmates. They don't do well in hot climates but our Silkies are laying no matter what the temps are!

Believe me, I am absolutely dying to own a GSH. Hopefully a chick order next summer from Ideal Poultry will include one to add to our flock. I have heard that Sumatras are very poor layers as well, but I will wait until my pullet starts laying to create an opinion of my own. The reason I say this is because supposedly Mallards were awful layers, and here they both give me a lovely mint green egg every day!

Another breed I will suggest is the Campine; they also can fly very well (in fact Alexandra is our very best flier), but they are super sweet, beautiful, and friendly little birds. I've heard tell that they are very good layers, but I shall soon find out since Alex is now squatting.

-Alexandra33

 

[wyandodo]

The oldest hens were already laying at 5 months old.
These are the birds I kept out of +- 80 chicks.

 

[blackgum]

The oldest hens were already laying at 5 months old.
These are the birds I kept out of +- 80 chicks.

very very nice birds i have all LF wyandottes but yours puts a smile on my face thank you again my freind

 

[wyandodo]

@blackgum
I am happy to hear that!

For those who enjoy watching them :