The Wyandotte Thread

[towen91]

Anyone who has hatched wyandoot eggs, do you all find it easier/ better hatch rate; to incubate, or to let the hens take care of it? Considering what I might do if I decide to have chicks next spring.

 

[NanaKat]

Hen #4 comb Hen #4 legs Hen #3 comb Hen #3 legs PHOTO DUMP! Sorry, it was necessary, but we will live UNLESS someone quotes me.(please don't, no one wants to see a those pics over and over again, they just want to read your posts Any way these are two of my five Wyandottes. What do you think compared to the SOP? I need advice, since I might start breeding.

The comb on Hen 4 is flawed...showing three tips while the comb on Hen 3 is lovely. Legs should be a nice butter colored yellow. Both hens have lighter colored legs.

 

[NanaKat]

Anyone who has hatched wyandoot eggs, do you all find it easier/ better hatch rate; to incubate, or to let the hens take care of it? Considering what I might do if I decide to have chicks next spring.

A lot of success in hatching depends on many factors.
Fertility of the cock.
Freshness and Cleanliness of the eggs.
Weather conditions when eggs are laid and chicks hatch.
Equipment...be it the incubator or the hen.

I have found Wyandotte mothers to be diligent teachers and fierce protectors. The rest of the flock are tolerant of chicks even assist the mother.

I find it easier to hatch in the incubator and then slip new chicks under a broody hen to raise. I move the broody to a quiet roomy cage with her nest for several days before giving her chicks to make sure she is setting firm. Then at night, I slip the chicks under her wings. After a few days in the cage, with chick feed and water, I move mother and brood to a floor pen protected from the rest of the flock. After a few days there, I let momma hen take her chicks where ever she chooses to teach her chicks to forage, dust bathe, etc.
A few hens are determined to be broody and will not leave their eggs or chosen rock or golf ball. I often give them eggs from the incubator once candled that I want them to hatch and raise.
For hen hatching...a clean quiet nest where she can brood her eggs in peace. A clean safe area for the chicks as they emerge from the nest and begin their first lessons from their "mother".

I have found that I much prefer hen raised chicks to chicks in a brooder box because they are more healthy, vigorous, independent and grow more quickly.

 

[Wyandottes13]

Does anyone know someone who breeds SOP quality LF bbs Wyandottes? I am looking for a splash rooster to breed with. Must be around VA, NC, SC, TN area or be able to ship.pm me if you have details please.

 

[abqchicken]

This is one of my two blue Wyandottes. The other one is more black looking.

 

[BlackwoodHollow]

They are both hens, the one looks like it has a single comb instead of a rose comb. A male would be patchy like this

Br! ....

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.

Ever had a suspected roo turn out to be a hen? Red wattles, comb, big feet, but a hen all the same?

 

[dfr1973]

Ever had a suspected roo turn out to be a hen? Red wattles, comb, big feet, but a hen all the same?

I have not yet, but my friend who has breeding Wyandottes for about five years said she's had that happen to her - where a suspected cockerel never crowed, grew hackle or saddle feathers ... and eventually laid eggs. I do have a small clutch of four half-Wyandottes where the largest chick was and still is a pullet. I named her Bertha, of course, because she is big and beautiful. She has the big feet, but not the quick comb or wattle development.

 

[towen91]

Br!  ....


Ever had a suspected roo turn out to be a hen?  Red wattles, comb, big feet, but a hen all the same?

I have one now, that was supposed to be a pullet. Then after noticing that the comb became red and grew wattles; I was told it was a cockerel. He is only 14 or 15 Weeks old, but hasn't tried to crow at all, and the feathering isn't looking any different from the others. So we will see if it ends up being a pullet after all lol. Chickens are confusing haha

 

[towen91]

Sense someone brought it up, I wanted to post a recent picture of my chicken that I was told was a cockerel on another forum here on BYC, a few weeks ago. The first picture is of just Blue, (the cockerel). The second picture is of Blue, and 2 of my 3 pullets Charlie, and Echo. They are all the same age (about 14 or 15 weeks, I've lost count). What do YALL think, cockerel?!

[/IMG]

 

[towen91]

Sorry here is the picture of just Blue the cockerel!