The Wyandotte Thread

[ki4got]

New to chickens. Thinking of getting some Wyandottes. Going to be the start of my first flock. What is the best way to get started. Either adults, chicks or eggs. and where do I get them. I live in Lebanon, pa. Thank You

not sure what you've got available locally, but May 4th will be a HUGE swap near Richmond VA called 'Gilmanor'... hundreds of sellers. I saw a HUGE number of wyandottes last fall, picked up some decent ones for myself (BLRW). as well as tons of other breeds too, but i was only shopping for blrw and cochin myself at the time.

 

[jendodd79]

Are wyandottes a smaller bird? I have one dark blue laced red hen about 15 weeks old and she is significantly lighter than my maran and orp of the same age. I'd say that she's the lowest in the pecking order -

 

[Outrun Acres]

Are wyandottes a smaller bird? I have one dark blue laced red hen about 15 weeks old and she is significantly lighter than my maran and orp of the same age. I'd say that she's the lowest in the pecking order -

I don' think they are smaller, just a slower maturing breed. My wyandotte hen didn't start laying until she was 9 months old. She is average size and my rooster is huge! Ours too is at the bottom of the pecking order, poor girl, and our rooster wants absolutely nothing to do with her.

 

[mstrawn3]

I don' think they are smaller, just a slower maturing breed. My wyandotte hen didn't start laying until she was 9 months old. She is average size and my rooster is huge! Ours too is at the bottom of the pecking order, poor girl, and our rooster wants absolutely nothing to do with her.

X2... They are mature slowly but once they are grown they are bigger than most... Some can take over a year to fully develop.

 

[DMRippy]

Most don't fully mature till they are about 18 months old.

 

[jendodd79]

I don' think they are smaller, just a slower maturing breed. My wyandotte hen didn't start laying until she was 9 months old. She is average size and my rooster is huge! Ours too is at the bottom of the pecking order, poor girl, and our rooster wants absolutely nothing to do with her.

Thank you! Great info, I was surprised when I picked her up yesterday after picking up my beefy Maran

 

[dracoe19]

Here are some recent pictures of my girls and babies


The boy I am planning on keeping. Already a bit bigger than1/2 his dad is and he is less than 6 months old!

Same boy from the side.

Another boy I have considered keeping. His saddle is a little dark though.

Better detail of the darker saddle boy. Should I keep him to see how he grows up or cull him? His type is looking good just his color I have doubts about. He is also missing a toe on his right foot... If he did become a show bird he would just get points deducted for the toe correct? or would he be disqualified?

First boy pictured again

1st boy (leaning down) and 2nd boy (pictured on the front right). The birds in the back ground are the parents. They are already getting to be their size.

My boy Copernicus and one of his ladies. All the babies I have hatched have been from him.

This girl is actually a hatchery bird. She has some dirty feathers but she is a big girl with some nice type. Some of the babies pictured are hers. I'm hoping she will add some unknown blood into my group. I know many say not to do this but she has many positive attributes like still laying at the age of 4 years, type, lacing, wide head, etc. I feel she will add some good traits to my babies.

Copernicus posing for me. He has almost doubled in size since I have gotten him. Looks like he rolling in something and got his saddle dirty lol.

 

[Bleenie]

This girl is actually a hatchery bird. She has some dirty feathers but she is a big girl with some nice type. Some of the babies pictured are hers. I'm hoping she will add some unknown blood into my group. I know many say not to do this but she has many positive attributes like still laying at the age of 4 years, type, lacing, wide head, etc. I feel she will add some good traits to my babies.

I have a hen like this too(Blue though). I bought her at a few months old and the person couldn't remember where she came from. good size, wide head, good comb, very good temperment and lays still at 3, lays pretty regularly too. She has a wry tail but she's never passed it on to any of her offspring, but did a good job passing on all her good qualities

 

[dracoe19]

That's great to hear ! I have a cockerel who has a wry tail. I thought it was one of those traits that would always be passed on. Good to know .

 

[Wyandotte96]

My older bantam wyandotte pen kicked into gear and started laying hope they keep it up.


Corey