The Wyandotte Thread

[rnorris1234]

I got my first eggs today from my BLRW girls. It feels like I've been waiting FOREVER, but I got 2 from my 2 girls today. They will be getting a special treat for sure.

"Carolina Ballerina" strutting her stuff celebrating her first egg!

 

[Soaring Chicks]

nice eggs and hen.
I just got my 2nd layer from my splash blr.

Just have 2 more to go from that line.

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

mr.hutch23 :

I was considering getting a few SL Wyandottes but I have a two year-old boy and was a little concerned about the rumored tendency for some individuals to be aggressive. How docile are Wyandottes? How frequently are roosters or hens aggressive? How aggressive? Are there any behavior traits that are more typical of certain colors?

Thanks for your time!

I haven't heard of them generally being aggressive. Definitely not the case with mine.

 

[KC n KY]

Okay, I was wondering what you think of this boy. He is a black version of the Blue Laced Reds. I just adopted him from mame1616, and was wondering what you wyandotte people thought of his color, type, comb, etc. I don't think he is supposed to be show quality, but more like breeder quality.

let me know if the pics don't show, i am new at this

 

[ultasol]

I have heard bad things about the temperment of hatchery SLW, but my SLW as well as those I've seen at shows (I was clerking, so I saw them handled) the temperment was excellent. My cock has never flown at me or acted aggressive in any manner... despite this he still breeds the hen and I have great fertility. The hen is also very nice and has been a reliable layer.

I know Tony Albritton, who's white wyandottes frequently end up taking a show and are nearly always on champion row, is starting to sell chicks this upcoming year. His birds are super gentle and his wyandottes and black langshans are gorgeous.

Paul's Poultry and the Foley's also sell day old wyandottes in a variety of colors. If you want good temperments in your wyandottes, get them from breeders with exhibition lines.

 

[mr.hutch23]

Thanks ultasol, I will look into that.

 

[BCBrian]

My Wyandottes are the tamest friendliest chickens I have ever owned - bar none.

Granted, most of the my last two decades of owning chickens I had "Mediterranean" class birds - or birds with a "Game" past.

Getting Wyandottes has put the fun back in owning chickens again. Now - I can't figure out why I liked all the "flighty" breeds I used to own. You couldn't pay me to own most of that type of chicken any more.

 

[Whimsy]

This spring we purchased 6 Wyndotte SL from the feed store. I have to be honest they were the craziest, flightiest birds(well next to the leghorn that was supposed to be a EE). We sold those and leghorns early on, and the whole flock of other chickens calmed down.

Late this summer I discovered the Foley's website, and then realized we lived just a few miles apart. I called and they had a few chicks for sale. I drove down there with a friend and had the great pleasure of seeing some of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen. His black Wyndotte rooster is simply amazing. I had the good fortune of purchasing 6 chicks, they are 9 weeks old this week. They are all thriving, calm and BEAUTIFUL! I have a BLR, some blacks a blue and a blue and black. I think I have 3 hens and 3 roos.

There is no comparison to hatchery birds and those of a breeder. One of the lessons I have learned this year is to purchase from a good breeder, they may be a little more expensive but in the long run, you are so better off.

Here are two of them at about 7 weeks.

 

[mame1616]

My wyandottes are very good with me, but my two older SL hens - 5 years - make sure any new ones know their place. While not excessively harsh, they don't let an opportunity for a peck to pass them by. They remind me of Catholic school nuns - even down to the colors of the habits! They make sure everyone remembers their place. They are not aggressive at all with me, and have eaten out of my hands since they were tiny. My 6 month old boy, going to KC, is great with me whenever I pick him up, - which is often - but not so nice to my bantams. Leaves the big girls alone, though. I put it down to being a teenager with raging hormones. I have his sister, and she is fairly timid, although I have noticed her adopting the "peck" habit of the other girls. So, no aggressive ones here. They certainly are beautiful to have in the run - I love 'em!

 

[McSpin]

Mrs. Turbo :

Here are some of our new generation 2010 BLRW pullets...... getting some pictures before it gets too cold. I Need to get some pictures of the Cockerels too.....guess the girls like the camera.

They look very nice. I've been wondering about the almost black hackles. Some of my hens show this too. Do you know where it comes from? It seems difficult to get rid of. Nice lacing on a red hackle seems very elusive. I have a line that leans a bit more to the gold side and they do not have the black, but they also don't get the deeper red.​