Wyandotte chicken is an American breed, popular among backyard chicken keepers for their eye-catching color variations. These are beginner-friendly due to their polite behavior and excellent egg production.
Wyandotte is a medium-sized and dual-purpose chicken breed. They are docile birds that produce good-quality meat and eggs. They are a hearty breed with unique color patterns, and they will prove a brilliant addition to your chicken flock.
Keep reading to learn about the history, temperament, appearance, egg production, and care guide of Wyandotte chickens.
Wyandotte Chicken Overview
| Name | Wyandotte Chicken |
| Country of Origin | United States Of America |
| Use | Dual Purpose |
| Color Variations | Silver Laced, Gold Laced, Columbian, White, Partridge, Black, Buff, Blue, and Silver Penciled |
| Weight | Rooster 8-9lbs Hens 6-7lbs |
| Lifespan | 6 to 12 years |
| Temperament | Docile and Polite |
| Egg color | Brown or cream color |
| Egg Production | Excellent |
| Meat Production | Good |
| Broodiness | Occasionally |
| Cold-hardy | Yes |
| Hot-hardy | Yes |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Child Friendly | Yes |
| Noise Level | Moderate |
History
The Wyandotte hen is known as the first dual-purpose chicken of America that emerged in the mid-1800s. These chickens are also considered the successors of the famous Brahma chicken breed.
This chicken breed was previously called American Seabrights, but their name was changed to Wyandotte chicken in the year 1883, when they were added to the American Poultry Association (APA).
They were named after the Wyandotte Nation to honor the indigenous American tribe of the area, although they don’t have any direct relation with that area or people.
Silver Laced was the first color variety of Wyandotte chicken that originated in New York in the 1860s. The second type was a golden-laced Wyandotte that also originated in the 1860s in Wisconsin. The silver and gold laced colors are also the most common and remarkable color variations of this breed.
This elegant chicken breed became very popular after its first appearance at the Chicago World Fair. The Columbian variety of Wyandotte chickens was also discovered for the first time at that fair in 1893. This color type came into being by the crossing of a white Wyandotte with a Barred Plymouth Rock chicken.
Color Varieties of Wyandotte Chickens
Wyandotte chicken is a popular chicken that has a lot of color variations. silver-laced was the first color type while gold-laced was the second. They were added to the American Poultry Association in 1883, while their bantam varieties (10) were recognized in 1933. There are more than 30 color variations of these chickens, but 9 varieties are currently recognized by the APA and are named below,
- 1883 – Silver-laced Wyandotte
- 1888 – Golden-laced Wyandotte
- 1893 – Black Wyandotte
- 1888 – White Wyandotte
- 1893 – Buff Wyandotte
- 1893 – Partridge Wyandotte
- 1902 – Silver penciled Wyandotte
- 1905 – Columbian Wyandotte
- 1977 – Blue Wyandotte
In Bantam varieties of these chickens, the same above 9 color varieties are recognized by the APA, with the addition of Buff Colombian.
Appearance of a Wyandotte Chicken
Wyandotte chickens normally have a large body, and they are among the most beautiful chickens in the world. Americans especially have a close bond with these chickens because they are the first known dual-purpose breed of America.
Although Wyandotte chickens have different color variations that look slightly different from each other. But we will discuss some of the most common traits present in all types.
These chickens have a small rose-type comb that makes them ideal for cold climates because they are mostly not prone to frostbite. Their earlobes, wattles, and comb are all red, while the beak is a bit yellowish. These birds have clean feathered legs that are mostly yellow or pale yellow, they have four toes as well.
Weight of Wyandotte Chicken
Wyandotte chicken is a heavy breed, but the weight can vary among different individuals. They are just over medium in size and due to their fluffy feathers, they look even bigger.
- The rooster can normally weigh about 8–9 lbs.
- The Wyandotte hen weighs about 6–7 lbs.
Temperament & Personality of Wyandotte Chicken
Wyandotte chickens are naturally very calm and friendly. They can be handled easily and are child-friendly as well. So you can keep them as house pets if you have a family with kids. Wyandottes are normally happy to be around other chickens and people.
If they are given regular exposure to people, then they can also be hand-fed. These chickens love foraging and roaming around in free space. They like to stay out late and find food from scratch, but they will return to the coop at night. They are incredibly friendly and you won’t even face any difficulty in egg collection.
Hardiness
The Wyandotte chicken is popular as a very hardy breed in the world of poultry. They are naturally cold-hardy birds and can easily survive extremely cold weather. But the surprise is that they also do well in areas with hot climates. So, Wyandotte chickens can be a great option if you are living in either cold or hot areas.
Noise Level
Wyandotte chickens are very calm and docile birds that mostly like to stay polite and quiet. They will make noise when a predator is near or while laying eggs. Overall, they are a quiet breed, which is ideal for chicken keepers living in close neighborhoods or areas with noise restrictions.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a chicken depends upon its care and external environment, but generally, Wyandotte chickens have a greater lifespan as compared to normal chickens. On average, a Wyandotte can live between 6 to 12 years.
Broodiness
Wyandotte chickens very occasionally get broody. Although Wyandotte hens take a long time to go broody and set on the eggs to incubate them. But once they do go broody, they definitely make very good mothers.
If a Wyandotte hen hatches some eggs then she will also take proper care of her baby chicks. You will not have to worry about the safety of the chicks because there mother will be around them for protection.
You can also hatch fertilized Wyandotte chicken eggs yourself through an incubator. An incubator is a machine that automatically turns your eggs and also controls the temperature and humidity of the eggs to hatch a healthy chick.
Wyandotte Chicken Egg Production
Wyandotte chickens are excellent egg layers. Their hens lay medium to large size beautiful brown or cream-colored eggs. Egg production can vary among individuals according to their feed but on average a Wyandotte hen can lay 4 to 5 eggs per week. This means you can expect about 200 to 250 eggs per year from these chickens which is a great number and that’s why people keep them for egg business.
Normally, Wyandotte hens mature at the age of about 20 weeks (5 to 6 months) and after a very short time, they will start laying eggs. They mostly like to lay eggs in the winter season
Wyandotte Chicken Meat Production
Some people also use these chickens for meat production. Wyandottes can grow up to 7 lbs so you can use them for meat purposes after they reach maturity. They will be ready to go to the butcher shop at the age of about 6 to 7 months, but make sure to give them proper feed and diet to make sure they grow large enough to produce good quality meat.
Pros and Cons of Wyandotte Chickens
Pros
- Wyandottes are polite and friendly chickens.
- These are prolific egg layers..
- They are an extremely cold-hardy breed.
- They love foraging.
- Wyandotte hens make good mothers.
Cons
- Wyandotte chickens are a little skittish and flighty.
- These chickens are not as big as other dual-purpose breeds.
- They are not as intelligent as other chicken breeds.
- Wyandotte’s can be an easy target for flying predators.
Wyandotte Chicken Care
Wyandotte are naturally hardy and healthy chickens. They have fewer health problems as compared to other breeds, but require a little extra care. These chickens are cold-hardy, so if you live in a very warm climate then try to make them comfortable with shady areas and their coops must have proper ventilation.
Keep their coop clean and free of parasites and soiled bedding. Give proper vaccination doses to your chicks as soon as possible to keep them safe from early health issues. You can add a small amount of apple cider vinegar to their water to boost their immune systems.
Wyandotte Chicken Feed
A good feed is essential for any chicken breed to stay healthy and lay good eggs. Wyandottes also need a healthy and strong feed to produce more meat and lay more large cream colored eggs.
You can give 16 to 18 percent protein with a bit of calcium to your chickens. But Wyandottes are excellent foragers and they love to find food from scratch and kitchen waste. It is also beneficial for their health as they will stay fit and entertained.
Although their foraging will save a lot of money, you must not solely depend on that and try to provide good quality commercial feed to them as well.
Conclusion
Wyandotte chicken is one of the best chicken breeds in the world as they have a lot of APA-approved color variations. They can lay a good number of large eggs and can also be used for meat purposes. They are polite, child-friendly, and can live in any weather condition.
Hence, the Wyandotte chicken is an ideal breed for any poultry enthusiast, and you won’t regret adding these birds to your flock.
Great read! You’ve covered everything about Wyandotte chickens in such a clear and concise way. Thanks for sharing all the helpful details!