The Wyandotte Thread

[dracoe19]

I think I'm reading your post correctly. I would hope that a male with a good tail bred to a pullet/hen with a bunny tail would fix the problem, wether or not it takes a couple generations? This trio is all I have to work with as far as Wyandottes. I know they are way better than any hatchery bird but not the greatest. I think it's as good place as any for me to start.

It could fix the problem but it is not a guarantee. What you have to work with is a good start. Just because your birds have a few imperfections doesn't mean you are going to have to start over. I have plenty of birds that have imperfections but it is just knowing what those are and when you hatch culling the ones with that flaw. Cull heavy and keep the best you won't regret it! It may take a few generations it may take one it just depends on the genetics and a bit of luck too.

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

It could fix the problem but it is not a guarantee. What you have to work with is a good start. Just because your birds have a few imperfections doesn't mean you are going to have to start over. I have plenty of birds that have imperfections but it is just knowing what those are and when you hatch culling the ones with that flaw. Cull heavy and keep the best you won't regret it! It may take a few generations it may take one it just depends on the genetics and a bit of luck too. 

Thanks again for your input. I'm taking them to a show maybe in March and for sure in April. I hope I'll be able to learn some things from the judges and perhaps the breeder I got them from. I will post better pictures this weekend of the cockerel.
~Banty

 

[jockeyeba]

You need a chicken with a bunny tail if you're planning to hatch easter eggs.

 

[ki4got]

While bunny tails do exist within certain varieties of the bantams, it is not near as much of a problem as it was 15 years ago. It is getting better, mainly because judges have been educated about the issue.
As for LF, bunny tails are almost non-existant. In all my years I do not think I have every seen a bunny tailed large fowl.
John

well, i have to argue that one... the black laced girl that i posted is definitely bunny tailed, and she's my LF blrw foley girl i picked up from him last fall. my splash laced girl came from canadian stock. my bantam girl is not bunny tailed, but still not 100% right either.

 

[poltroon]

Does someone have some good picture comparison examples of how the bunny tail or not manifests in the male?

 

[Texasmja]

well, i have to argue that one... the black laced girl that i posted is definitely bunny tailed, and she's my LF blrw foley girl i picked up from him last fall. my splash laced girl came from canadian stock. my bantam girl is not bunny tailed, but still not 100% right either.

I have seen LF with them also.

 

[Texasmja]

Tails are a big deal to me because I see more wrong ones than correct ones. I am a tail person, I notice them first, lol

 

[Texasmja]

I am pretty sure this is a LF Wyandotte.

 

[ki4got]

rooster's tails... i don't think a bunny tail is as much of an issue for a rooster, since they are supposed to have the curved sickles, and the saddle feathers fall nicely, that blend in with the rest. both my roos have decent tails, IMO.
this is smee, my bantam blrw. his only real fault is the red isn't deep enough for me.


big'un has his issues, but tail isn't one of them. LOL
slightly longer back than desirable and a wonky comb, in this case.
but the girls should counter act that pretty well.

(and yes, they do have yellow legs, the camera seems to wash them out each time)

it's the hens that have the cusions that lead to bunny tails... it's supposed to be a 'slight' cushion (more curled feathers where a rooster's saddle is straight), not massive like the cochins do. that's what gives rise to the bunny tail. that and curved tail feathers where they're supposed to be straight.

 

[Texasmja]

I was told by a judge that the tail feathers need to be stiff like a hard feather not soft. What do your males look like from behind?

rooster's tails... i don't think a bunny tail is as much of an issue for a rooster, since they are supposed to have the curved sickles, and the saddle feathers fall nicely, that blend in with the rest. both my roos have decent tails, IMO.
this is smee, my bantam blrw. his only real fault is the red isn't deep enough for me.


big'un has his issues, but tail isn't one of them. LOL
slightly longer back than desirable and a wonky comb, in this case.
but the girls should counter act that pretty well.

(and yes, they do have yellow legs, the camera seems to wash them out each time)

it's the hens that have the cusions that lead to bunny tails... it's supposed to be a 'slight' cushion (more curled feathers where a rooster's saddle is straight), not massive like the cochins do. that's what gives rise to the bunny tail. that and curved tail feathers where they're supposed to be straight.