When it comes to outfits, less is more, and the sexy Silver Laced Wyandotte proves this point perfectly by strutting her bold black and silvery-white wardrobe…with just a splash of red. She makes monochrome look downright divine and you won't be able to take your eyes off her.
If you fancy a bit of fancy, but you also need a workhorse (well, a work hen) in the garden, then this beautiful heritage chicken breed is worth serious consideration.
Have 20 questions about The Silver Laced Wyandotte? That's not a problem, because I'm about to answer the most frequently asked 23 questions about this silver-feathered coop candy! After digesting these nuggets of knowledge, I know you'll want one…or two…or maybe three silver surfers to call your own.
It's always sensible to make an educated call though, so grab a fresh coffee, and let's swat up!
Here's what to Egg-spect:
- How Do Breed Owners Rate Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens?
- Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Suitable for Beginners?
- Do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Mix Well with Other Breeds?
- Do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Make Good Pets?
- Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Good with Kids?
- Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Roosters Aggressive?
- Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Noisy?
- How Many Eggs Does a Silver Laced Wyandotte Lay?
- How Big Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Eggs?
- When Will a Silver Laced Wyandotte Start to Lay?
- Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Broody?
- What's The Lifespan of a Silver Laced Wyandotte?
- How Many Colours of Wyandotte Chicken Are There?
- What Are the Recognised Wyandotte colors in the U.S?
- How can I tell a Silver Laced Wyandotte Hen from a Rooster?
- Do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Lay in the Winter?
- Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Well Suited to Warmer Climates?
- What Health Issues Does Silver Laced Wyandotte Have?
- How Much Space Does a Silver Laced Wyandotte Need?
- What's The History of The Silver Laced Wyandotte?
- Why Should I Choose a Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicken?
- Why Shouldn't I Chose a Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicken?
- Is the Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicken the Right Breed for Me?
1. How Do Breed Owners Rate Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens?
92% of the Silver Laced Wyandotte owners we surveyed say they would happily be wooed by another Wyandotte any day of the week. If that were a hotel review, I'd stay there!
If you're seriously considering homing this silver beauty, then knowing how your fellow fowl-loving folk feel about the breed matters. By the sounds of it - once a Silver Laced Wyandotte owner, always a Silver Laced Wyandotte owner. They love their lacey ladies.
81. Would you choose to own a Silver Laced Wyandotte chicken breed again?
2. Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Suitable for Beginners?
Absolutely! They're a perfect breed for beginners as they don't pose any big challenges but do deliver the rewards.
3. Do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Mix Well with Other Breeds?
They won't start a fight, but they will finish one. The Silver Laced Wyandotte is a friendly bird that won't get aggressive or make a scene unprovoked. Don't mistake their manners for weakness though. They won't be bullied and if another breed starts a scrap, they won't win it. This breed will hold its head high near the top of the pecking order.
4. Do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Make Good Pets?
They are a great choice for a family bird. There are soppier breeds out there who will happily land on your lap and demand a cuddle, such as the Jersey Giant, but Wyandotte chickens are friendly and relaxed and will slot smoothly into families and mixed-breed flocks. They're friendly but not needy. Perfect!
5. Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Good with Kids?
The hens are great with kiddies, the roosters need to be judged case by case. If you're anxious about getting the right breed to pull your little ones away from their iPads, this really could be the breed to get them motivated! They're chillaxed and slow-moving, not easily spooked, and happy to be handled.
6. Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Roosters Aggressive?
Some Roosters can be aggressive. Personalities are a bit hit and miss, and you'll hear some owners say they're super softies and others say they'll be going into the crockpot soon if they don't learn to chill their beans. As with any breed of chicken – they are individual characters – but there is sadly a bit of a tendency for roos to be mildly aggressive towards people and other chickens.
7. Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Noisy?
Quiet as a mouse, this one! If your neighbors are a little sound sensitive or your teenagers can't abide being woken in the morning, then the Silver Laced Wyandotte is a great breed to go for. They're rarely vocal.
8. How Many Eggs Does a Silver Laced Wyandotte Lay?
Silver Laced Wyandotte chickens are pretty good layers: they'll line your egg box with around 220 eggs a year. So, there'll be more than enough to treat your neighbors to a few eggs-tras.
53% of the breed owners we asked said that their ladies laid four eggs a week, and 41% felt that their girls only managed 3. When you’re planning your coop troop 3-4 eggs a week seems to be an educated eggy estimate per hen.
On average, how many eggs do your Silver Laced Wyandotte hens lay per week?
9. How Big Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Eggs?
Silver Laced Wyandotte eggs🥚 are medium to large, and the happier the hen the yummier their eggs will be! Don't get too hung up on egg size when you're comparing chicken breeds. Remember that there's very little difference between a medium and a large egg. With over 200 eggs a year, this breed won't let you go hungry.
10. When Will a Silver Laced Wyandotte Start to Lay?
This beautiful breed will get cracking at about nine months old and lay all year round until about three years of age. I'll save you the maths here: that's around 500 – 700 eggs in her lifetime depending on how generous your girl is. Hens will still lay in their later years, but not on the same scale. They're semi-retired, darling.
11. Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Broody?
The Silver Laced Wyandotte is not a very broody breed of chicken, but some individuals can be broody all the same. It seems to be a lineage thing, so if Mummy hen was a true 'mother hen', then chances are her chicks will be too. When they do hatch their brood, they're wonder-mum material. Watch and learn.
12. What's The Lifespan of a Silver Laced Wyandotte?
You can enjoy this gorgeous gal's company for at least five years, with the average age ranging quite significantly from six to twelve years. Taking good care of your chicken will mean she graces your garden for years to come. Find out how to raise a healthy, happy chicken here (internal link)
13. How Many Colors of Wyandotte Chicken Are There?
The Silver Laced Wyandotte was the original color of Wyandotte, and I'm not sure they've topped her classic beauty with the newer colors. It's hard to improve on perfection. There are now 18 recognized colors for showing in the U.S. and all sorts of weird and wonderful hybrids to pick from if you're in it just for the love.
14. What Are the Recognised Wyandotte colors in the U.S?
The 18 recognized colors of Wyandotte chicken are as follows:
White, Black, Partridge, Barred, Birchen, Black Breasted Red, Blue, Blue Red, Brown Red, Buff, Buff Columbian, Columbian, Golden Laced, Lemon Blue, Silver Laced, Silver Penciled, Splash, and White Laced Red.🙌🏼
15. How Can I Tell a Silver Laced Wyandotte Hen from a Rooster?
By the time your Silver Laced Wyandotte turns five months old or proudly delivers 'his' first crow, you'll know for sure whether he's a Henry or a Harriet. Roosters' saddle feathers and hackle feathers are pointier and shinier than hens which are more rounded and similar colored to the rest of the bird.
If you're a bit more experienced sexing chickens, then you might recognize the taller, sturdier, larger build of a rooster before they come of age compared to the shorter and more delicate hen. There are a few other tell-tale signs such as how red the wattle becomes, but these indicators can be tricky to spot. If you're eager to know if she's a he - or if he's in fact a she - then send us a picture! We'll help you decide.
16. Do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Lay in the Winter?
This slightly chubby chicken (I mean that in the nicest way possible, she's gorgeous) has a little extra insulation. Her fluffy feathers add an extra winter layer to her wardrobe, so she is happy to lay throughout the colder months. She's a trooper our Silver Laced Lass.
17. Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Well Suited to Warmer Climates?
On a sunny day, you'll find the Silver Laced Wyandotte chilling out in the shade. She doesn't mind the heat now and then, but she's no beach babe. Those extra ounces and fluffy feathers don't do too well in hot conditions. She might take a little break from laying when it's too warm, to conserve her energy.
18. What Health Issues Do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Have?
She's a sturdy girl and isn't likely to clear your balance at the vets. These gorgeous fluffy feathers do look ever so homely to lice and pests though, so keep on top of regular treatments as you would with any breed. Also, fluffy bottoms can get a bit unladylike, so keep your girl's derriere nice and clean. Everyone needs a little pamper day now and then to look their best.
19. How Much Space Does a Silver Laced Wyandotte Need?
She'll happily spend her time in the coop, but a decent amount of free-range time will keep her stimulated and healthy. She's not a whopper of a thing, but she's not a sliver of a girl either and needs her exercise – even if she can't always be bothered. She's not demanding, but don't take advantage.
20. What's The History of The Silver Laced Wyandotte?
The Wyandotte was the first American chicken bred specifically to fill the gap in the market for a true dual-purpose bird.
The Silver Laced coloration was the one and only Wyandotte for a short while, followed swiftly by the Gold Laced Wyandotte (hyperlink)…and then by lots more lovely colors over the years!
The Mooney chicken was mentioned back in 1873, but nobody seems to know it's exact bloodline. Dark Brahmas and Silver Spangled Hamburgs are suspected to be the main genetic contributors, but it could have been Breda, or Polish fowl. Families, hey
21. Why Should I Choose a Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicken?
- They're oh so pretty😍
- The hens are friendly enough for families with children
- They lay lots of yummy-in-my-tummy eggs
22. Why Shouldn't I Keep a Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicken?
- Roosters can be a bit aggressive, they might not be best around small children
- You live in a consistently hot climate
- You're looking for a push-over around other chickens and hug-hungry hen
23. Is the Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicken the Right Breed for Me?
If you're looking for a beautiful bird that really is a great dual-purpose bird, then yes, it probably is. They're friendly, they mix well, they're hardy and they lay well. Unless you have hot climates, or for some weird reason you don't like pretty things, then the Silver Laced Wyandotte is a great choice for beginners and egg-spert keepers.
Is The Silver Laced Wyandotte the prettiest color of Wyandotte? Your votes please peeps….
So, what do you think? Have I seduced you with the Silver Laced Wyandotte? Deciding on the perfect poultry to bring home is hard, especially when there are just so many gorgeous breeds to choose from. Talk about too much choice!
You, your family, and your feathered friends deserve to find the right breed to join your world, and with so many hens being rehomed because they didn't click with their fellow clucks, making the right decision will save a lot of heartaches all around.
Check out Chickenpedia's online course on choosing the right breed for you, which is the perfect tool to help you choose and care for your perfect pack of poultry personalities. Once you join the coop at Chickenpedia you'll have instant access to all the chicken chat you can handle. Your co-workers may be secretly glad of this – you do chat chooks a lot!
You'll gain unlimited access to personalised support, ultimate guides, online diagnostic health tools, peck-sized videos, go-to guides and sooooo much more. Check it out here.
Leave a comment (all fields required)