The Wyandotte Thread

[delisha]

Quote: Very masculine looking beak. Not feminine looking. The rest of the bird looks female.

 

[WyandotteTX]

i can honestly say there was no wind, and she has NO stiff tail feathers... they're not too long or short, they're just not stiff. thus, bunny tail. and in all honstely, most of jerry foley's LF blrw i have seen have the same tail IMO...

Are these correct tails? NO. Are they bunny tails? Again, No. Bunny tails came into existence about two decades ago in Wyandotte Bantams being shown. They were given preferential status in showing circles by judges who did not know what a proper Wyandotte tail looked like so the practice was perpetuated. Alot of reference was made in the literature to educate judges as to proper tails in Wyandotte Bantams and that is why they are greatly improved. Perhaps you have read alot about bunny tails in Wyandottes and did not understand that they were all written with Bantams in mind. I have a plethora of articles written about that very topic regarding Bantams. I do not however have any articles about Large Fowl bunny tails because for the most part they do not exist. I also get you are referring to BLR, and no offense to anyone but I do not consider them in the discussion when I am talking about it because they are a work in progress with many faults in many ways. If you look at Whites, Buffs, Silver Laced, Partridge, Silver Penciled and Columbian you will not see bunny tails in any of the good stock out there.

As for your reference to Mr. Foley and his stock I would whole heartedly disagree. He is a reknown breeder, who has the best BLR in the country because of the amount of resources he has put into that variety. Most all should thank him because he has brought a modicum of dignity to this variety within showing circles that was otherwise nonexistant. If BLR are ever to be accepted into the APA it will be because of Mr. Foley and his efforts.
John

 

[ki4got]

Quote: you misunderstand me regarding mr foley's birds... i didn't say all of his birds were like that, but the majority of the ones he had at the sale were. were they the best? probably not since he was selling them. i agree he has produced some of the best blrw i've seen.but i've only seen the good ones online. never in person.

as far as wyandotte 'bunny tails' i have no true reference one way or the other. but i DO know cochin bunny tails, and they look very much like my foley girl's tail... i've had wyandottes all of about 8 months. i've been breeding and showing bantam cochins since 1995. so if i'm wrong and it's not a bunny tail, what WOULD you call it? either way it's WRONG. tho it appears in europe, the 'bunny tail' type seems to be preferred. go figure.

 

[Summerlove]

My Bantam Black Wyandotte "Audrey" let me know what you think I don't know much about the breed. Thanks.

 

[Texasmja]

Are these correct tails? NO. Are they bunny tails? Again, No.
John

John, how did this these tails get bred on these LF Wyandottes? To my inexperienced eye, it looks like a Cochin tail. What causes this tail to happen? What is the proper name for this tail?

 

[WyandotteTX]

I think there is a difference in the tails that you referenced in the photos and what I would call a true cushion or bunny tail. The tails from the photo look like they are abrupt without the distinct roll over feathers of a cushion or bunny, that is how I see a distinction between the two.
I am not trying to be combative or argumentative about this either. It is just very frustrating to see the immense amount of misinformation that is spread on this site at times in regards to certain aspects. I am a teacher, I like to share knowledge that I have with others. Maybe that time is over on this thread. Three decades of raising this breed and almost every single variety of LF and Bantam I guess isnt worth too much anymore.

 

[Texasmja]

I think there is a difference in the tails that you referenced in the photos and what I would call a true cushion or bunny tail. The tails from the photo look like they are abrupt without the distinct roll over feathers of a cushion or bunny, that is how I see a distinction between the two.
I am not trying to be combative or argumentative about this either. It is just very frustrating to see the immense amount of misinformation that is spread on this site at times in regards to certain aspects. I am a teacher, I like to share knowledge that I have with others. Maybe that time is over on this thread. Three decades of raising this breed and almost every single variety of LF and Bantam I guess isnt worth too much anymore.

Well what would you call these tails? You have been around and seen many breeds. Where did this tail come from?

 

[WyandotteTX]

These tails come from incorrect breeding for feather quality. Thus that is probably why Foley was getting rid of all of those birds and keeping the best ones for himself.
It is much more prevalent in BLR because there are so many factors in what is in any particular strain of BLR. From all BLR I have seen I would say they have too flat of a back at times because of the influece of RIR in their background to try and get an influx of color within the variety.

 

[Texasmja]

These tails come from incorrect breeding for feather quality. Thus that is probably why Foley was getting rid of all of those birds and keeping the best ones for himself.
It is much more prevalent in BLR because there are so many factors in what is in any particular strain of BLR. From all BLR I have seen I would say they have too flat of a back at times because of the influece of RIR in their background to try and get an influx of color within the variety.

So what should I call this tail? Do you mean that the bird is soft feathered and that is why the tail is like that? Another thing I have noticed is some Wyandottes look like rocks (gravy bowl shaped) backs and tail set. Do you agree?

 

[WyandotteTX]

I get what you are asking about where did it come from. You do have to realize that even though breeds were used over a century ago to make Wyandottes there are traits that still crop up within Wyandottes today. Perhaps a lack of proper tail, leg stubbs and single combs are all just manifestations of a genetic history that creeps into the here and now.
Most breeders do not/will not cross other breeds into a specific variety. Are there unscrupulous ones who do so? Of course I am sure there is but most well known breeders never would.