Columbian Wyandotte is a rare and the least known color variety of the Wyandotte chickens. Golden laced and Silver laced are very famous varieties of Wyandottes but as Columbian Wyandottes are rare they didn’t get that much popularity. However, they have all the traits that a good chicken should possess.
These birds are eye-catching and their personality is quite docile. These are medium-sized chickens, popular for laying beautiful cream-colored eggs. They are cold-hardy birds having the ability to survive in harsh weather conditions.
Let’s learn about the history, personality, appearance, egg production, and care guide of these astonishing chickens.
History & Origin
Columbian Wyandotte is not an ancient breed as they came into being in the early 19th century. Wyandottes were created in the 1870s just to get a dual-purpose chicken because before them there were just a few chicken breeds that were in use for both egg and meat production.
However, their exact combination is unknown but most probably, Wyandottes came into being as a result of a cross between Hamburgs and Brahmas chickens. These chickens become very popular in the United States due to their healthy eggs and good meat production.
Columbian Wyandotte Chicken – Overview
| Name | Columbian Laced Wyandotte |
| Breed | Wyandotte Chicken |
| Origin | USA |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Primary Uses | Dual-purpose Breed |
| Egg color | Light brown |
| Egg Production | 200-250 eggs per year |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Lifespan | 7 plus years |
| Temperament | Docile |
| Weight | Hen 7-8 pounds Rooster 8- 8.5 pounds |
| Cold Tolerant | Yes |
| Heat Tolerant | No |
| Noise Level | A bit Noisy |
Appearance
Columbian Wyandotte is a beautiful color variation of the Wyandotte breed. They also have a solid white color like the White Wyandottes but the difference is they have a collar of dark feathers. Their neck is covered with a ring of black feathers that gives them a charming look.
These chickens also have dark feathers on the edges of wings and tail. They have a rose type comb that plays a vital role in protecting them from frostbites.
Their beak is yellowish while the earlobes and wattles are red in color. The legs of these chickens are also clean and yellowish.
Weight
The chickens of this variety are medium to large sized but they vary in sizes in male and female chickens
- An average rooster usually weighs about 8-8.5lbs
- The hen can are around 7-8 lbs
However, in some cases we have seen their size increasing to 9.5lbs depending upon their feed and immunity.
APA Recognition
Columbian Wyandotte is another important color variety that is recognized by the APA. The American Poultry Association (APA) recognized this beautiful chicken in 1905. Wyandottes have a lot of color variations and nine of them are also recognized in the APA list that are,
- 1883 – Silver-laced
- 1888 – Golden-laced
- 1893 – Black Wyandotte
- 1888 – White Wyandotte
- 1893 – Buff Wyandotte
- 1893 – Partridge Wyandotte
- 1902 – Silver penciled
- 1905 – Columbian Wyandotte
- 1977 – Blue Wyandotte
However Wyandottes have more than 30 colorations and most of them are also approved in the European standards. The other famous varieties are:
The Personality of Columbian Wyandotte Chicken
Columbian chickens normally have a very calm personality but let’s take a complete overview about them in the points below,
Temperament & Behavior
These beautiful birds have a calm temperament. Columbian wyandottes are perfect for beginner chicken keepers due to their friendly behavior. You can easily understand their nature and they are also quite easy to handle.
Hardiness
Columbian Wyandotte is a very cold hardy breed of chickens. You can also include them in the list of best cold hardy breeds. Their rose type comb and unique feathering helps them to survive in all kinds of cold and harsh weather.
Noise level
The Columbians are not aggressive but they are noisy chickens and have a high noise level. These chickens like to cackle and especially the hens make a lot of noise. So, if you are planning to keep them then make sure you don’t live in an area with noise restrictions.
Lifespan
It’s impossible to tell the exact lifespan of any breed but with the help of some studies we can expect the average lifespan of a healthy chicken. So, Columbian Wyandottes can live up to 7 years depending on their health, feed, and living environment.
Free-Rangers
Columbian Wyandottes loves foraging and roam around freely. They are excellent foragers can easily find their food like small insects in the backyard. During day time, we always give free range to our chickens because it also has great benefits to their health.
But don’t forget to keep an eye on them because sometimes they can go too far and can become easy prey to hawks or other predators.
Dual Purpose Breed
Like most of the Wyandotte varieties Columbian Wyandotte is also a dual-purpose chicken. They can produce flavorful meat and can also lay beautiful healthy eggs.
Egg Production
The Columbian Wyandottes are popular for their egg laying capacity and beautiful eggs. A healthy hen of their breed can lay almost 220-250 eggs per year. The eggs are medium in size and have a beautiful light brown color. These hens can even lay eggs in winters due to their cold hardy nature so you can enjoy their protein rich eggs the whole year.
Meat Production
These chickens are large and heavy enough to be considered for meat production. They have a big physique and a good amount of meat is present on their chest and thighs. Their meat is also flavorful and rich in proteins which makes them suitable for meat production.
Conclusion
Columbian Wyandottes have all the basic and good qualities that a chicken keeper wants in his chickens. They are great for both newbies and experienced people. They have a friendly temperament, are good egg layers, cold hardy and dual purpose birds. Hence, these qualities make them an ideal choice for any chicken enthusiast to add them into their flock.