Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is considered as the most beautiful and elegant color variety of the Wyandotte chickens. These stunning chickens are also excellent egg layers. They are ideal chickens for both newbie and expert chicken breeders.
Let’s check out the history, appearance, egg production, personality, and care guide of these eye-catching birds.
Origin and History
These chickens are a variation of Wyandottes that came into being in the late 18th century. Wyandottes were created from Silver Spangled Hamburgs and Brahma chickens and the main motive behind their creation was to get a dual-purpose breed.
The very first variety of these elegant birds was the Silver laced followed by the other color variations. However, blue laced red wyandotte is the latest variation that is supposed to be produced in the US.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte – Overview
| Name | Blue Laced Red Wyandotte |
| Breed | Wyandotte Chicken |
| Origin | USA |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Primary Uses | Dual-purpose Breed |
| Egg color | Light brown |
| Egg Production | 180-220 eggs per year |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Lifespan | 5 – 8 years |
| Temperament | Docile (Roosters are a bit aggressive) |
| Weight | Hen 5-6 pounds Rooster 7- 8.5 pounds |
| Cold Tolerant | Yes |
| Heat Tolerant | No |
| Noise Level | Moderate |
Appearance
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte have dense reddish brown feathers that are followed by beautiful gray or blue shards throughout the body. They have a round posture which gives them a glorious appearance.
These large birds have rose type comb and their legs are also clean. The comb is red while the legs are a bit yellowish in color. Their earlobes and wattles are red but the beak is dark golden in color. They also have bright yellow eyes.
Weight
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is a large-sized chicken. however, the weight depends upon their feed and environment.
- The Rooster of this breed usually weighs about 7-8.5 pounds
- The Hens can weigh between 5 – 6 pounds.
APA Recognition
It might sound surprising but the American Poultry Association (APA) has not yet added Blue Laced Red Wyandottes to its list of recognized breeds. The reason is that they are the newest color variety of Wyandottes developed in the 19th century. The APA is likely to recognize this elegant chicken breed soon.
Color Varieties
Wyandotte chicken comes in three different kinds of classes that are laced, marked or single-color variations. Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is a laced color variety of the Wyandottes.
However, more than 30 different color variations of this breed are present. Some of them are also present in the the American Poultry Association (APA) list. So, here are the famous variations of Wyandottes,
- Silver Laced Wyandotte
- Golden Laced Wyandotte
- Black laced Wyandotte
- Buff laced Wyandotte
- White Wyandottes
- Partridge Wyandotte
- Silver Penciled Wyandotte
- Colombian Wyandotte
- Blue laced Wyandotte
- Blue laced Gold Wyandotte
The Personality of Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicken
These chickens have a strong and attracting personality and you can read more about their personality below,
Temperament & Behavior
Blue Laced Red Wyandottes are docile and gentle. They are polite towards humans and other chickens and that’s why they can easily mix with the other chicken breeds of any flock. These lovely birds are also sociable and love to play and interact with humans.
They don’t get aggressive but the rooster can sometimes become a little bit aggressive to show his dominance. These chickens are always positioned high in the pecking order due to their heavy build.
Lifespan
The lifespan can vary among different individuals depending upon their living conditions. But on an average, blue laced red Wyandottes can live between 5 to 8 years.
Noise Level
The blue laced red Wyandottes, like all Wyandotte varieties, are calm and polite and don’t make much noise. They like to stay polite and enjoy their forging without bothering anyone but the roosters can sometime be a little noisy.
Hardiness
These elegant birds are very cold hardy and they can survive in extreme cold weather without putting the extra burden of heaters on their keepers. They can also tolerate confinement that can help you to keep them in city areas where free or extra space is a big issue.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicken Egg and Meat Production
Blue laced red Wyandottes are popular because of their egg production but many people also keep them for meat purposes due to their heavy size. So, they are a dual-purpose breed and as you might know, Wyandotte are also the first dual purpose chicken breed of America.
Egg Production
The hens of this beautiful breed can lay 3 to 4 eggs. Their eggs are large and light brown in color. So, overall these chickens can produce almost 200 to 240 eggs per year. An average hen of this breed can start laying eggs at the age of about 24 weeks (6 months).
- Egg size: Large
- Egg Color: Light Brown
- Eggs per week: 3-4
- Eggs per year: 200-220
- Age of starting laying eggs: 6 months
Meat Production
Red Wyandottes with blue lacing are not just beautiful by their appearance but their size is also a thing to cherish. They also have a significant amount of fat and muscle on their body making them suitable for meat production.
How to Raise Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicken?
Care & Protection
Blue laced red wyandotte chicken is a strong chicken breed but precautionary measures should be taken to keep them safe from any kind of health problem. They are cold hardy but summers can be a difficult time for them.
If you are living in an area where the weather mostly remains hot and humid then try to make them as comfortable as you can. Keep them in shady areas with sufficient amounts of water available to them all the time.
Housing or Coop Set up
Wyandottes love to stay in a fresh environment so their coop or house must be clean and parasite free. The coop should be airy as well if you are keeping them in a hot climate. A 4 to 6 square feet coop is perfect for them and don’t forget to place nesting boxes in their coop where the hens can lay their eggs.
You can also provide extra space around their coops for roaming but it will surely depend upon the land available to you.
Conclusion
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicken is a friendly and robust bird. Their beautiful colors and eye-catching appearance can make any chicken enthusiast fall in love with them. Moreover, they are polite towards children and other chickens making them ideal for newbie chicken keepers.
Their egg production is always brilliant but the meat production is a significant plus point. So, these chickens can be a perfect choice for your backyard farming.