If ever a chicken were to strut its sexy stuff down a catwalk waving the American flag, it would be the Wyandotte chicken.
Wyandottes are true American-bred chickens, with a great reputation. Why? Because they are so cluckin’ awesome!
Are you after a reliable layer who will pop out yummy eggs🥚 whatever the weather? Tick.
…a dual-purpose bird with a good meat yield? Tick.
…a breed that will mix well with other chickens: a lover not a fighter? Tick.
…can’t resist the urge to pick a chick based on its looks? Tick, Tick, Tickety, Tick!
Wyandotte chickens are a brilliant dual-purpose chicken choice. They’ll lay at least 4 medium-large eggs every week for you, with lots of owners saying their ladies shed a shell almost every day! Wyandotte chickens are available in a rainbow of gorgeous colors and as bantams and new varieties just keep cropping up.
They’re too cool to be cranky and have funny, friendly, and loveable personalities. They make great pets and great produce birds. They’re easy to keep and the camera lens loves them.
Sound too good to be true? I know, right!
There is no catch. The only question is - Wyandotte you already have some!
Click here for Instant Answers:
- Where Did Wyandotte Chickens come from?
- Are Wyandotte chickens Endangered?
- How Many Eggs Does a Wyandotte Chicken Lay?
- How Big Are Wyandotte Chicken’s Eggs?
- What Color Eggs Does a Wyandotte Chicken Lay?
- When Will a Wyandotte Hen Start to Lay?
- Do Wyandotte Chickens Lay in the Winter?
- Do Wyandotte Chickens Make Good Pets?
- Are Wyandotte Chickens Good with Kids?
- Are Wyandotte Chickens Suitable for Beginners?
- Do Wyandotte Chickens Mix Well with Other Breeds?
- Are Wyandotte Roosters Aggressive?
- Are Wyandotte Chickens Noisy?
- Are Wyandotte Chickens Broody?
- Are Wyandotte Chickens Suited to Warmer Climates?
- Are Wyandotte Chickens Cold Hardy?
- Do Wyandotte Chickens Have Health Issues?
- How Long Do Wyandotte Chickens Live For?
- How Big Are Wyandotte Chickens?
- What Do Baby Wyandotte Chicks Look Like?
- How To Tell a Wyandotte Hen from a Rooster?
- Are Wyandottes the Right Chicken Breed for Me?
- Wyandotte Chicken Pros & Cons
The Wyandotte Chicken
Let’s start with this key bit of info: it's pronounced why-en-dot. Now, let’s crack on…
Where Did Wyandotte Chickens come from?
Wyandotte chickens were bred in upstate New York in the 1860s. It was a team effort by four fellow fowl fanatics who wanted to egg-sploit a gap in the US market for a heritage dual-purpose chicken.
Fred Houdlette, John Ray, L. Whittaker, and H.M. Doubleday bred the very first fluffily feathered Wyandottes.
The Silver Laced Wyandotte was the only variety for a short while, followed swiftly by the gorgeous Golden Laced Wyandotte which was bred in Wisconsin for her stunning looks.
The breed’s lineage is a little bit blurry. Nobody really knows which breeds the first Wyandotte was bred from. Dark Brahmas and Silver Spangled Hamburgs are thought to be the main genetic contributors.
Wyandottes were originally called American Seabrights until they were accepted into the APA standard of perfection in 1883. At this point, they adopted their new name to avoid confusion with the Seabright chicken.
Wyandotte chickens were named after a native American tribe prevalent in parts of upstate New York and Ontario, Canada. Not because the tribe had anything to do with breeding the bird but as a thank you for their hospitality.
Fowl Fact: It was Fred who came up with the idea for the name Wyandotte, but it wasn’t his creativity at play. He stole the idea from the name his father had given to his ship.
Are Wyandotte chickens Endangered?
No, but they were once…
“Several years ago, the Wyandotte was considered to be endangered and was on the Livestock Conservancy’s priority list. Since 2016, the Wyandotte graduated from the priority list and at this time is not in danger of being lost forever.” (Meyer Hatchery)
Wyandotte Chicken Eggs
How Many Eggs Does a Wyandotte Chicken Lay?
Wyandotte chickens lay around 4 eggs a week. That’s 200 eggs a year, and at least 700 eggs in their lifetime.😍
You might even get more according to most keepers, so there'll be more than enough scrambled eggs to go around!
How Big Are Wyandotte Chicken’s Eggs?
Wyandotte eggs are medium to large. You won’t go hungry with a Wyandotte!
What Color Eggs Does a Wyandotte Chicken Lay?
Wyandotte hens lay beautiful brown eggs.
When Will a Wyandotte Hen Start to Lay?
Wyandotte pullets start to pop out their golden-brown goodies at nine months old. Although they’re a little late getting started on the chicken maturity scale, they make up for it as they lay all year round until at least 4 years of age and more likely 5 or 6. They’ll still lay when they’re older, but not as often. Think of it as semi-retirement.
Do Wyandotte Chickens Lay in the Winter?
This slightly chubby chicken has a little extra insulation. Her fabulous fluffed-up feathers add an extra layer to her winter wardrobe, so she’s happy to lay throughout the colder months. She’s one tough mama this one!
The Wyandotte Chicken’s Temperament
Do Wyandotte Chickens Make Good Pets?
Wyandotte chickens are a great breed to keep as a family pet. Wyandotte hens are friendly, loveable, and relaxed and will enjoy your company even if you are a mere human. They're friendly but not clingy. Perfect pets.
Are Wyandotte Chickens Good with Kids?
Wyandotte hens are a super-strong fit for kids. Yes, they’re on the large side, but they’re not flappy or flighty: they’re chilled-out, slow-moving, and will tolerate being held by children so long as you handle them from a young age (the chickens, not the kids).
Are Wyandotte Chickens Suitable for Beginners?
Wyandottes are brilliant for beginners! They don't ask for much, but they give a lot. They’re not difficult to care for and they’re very easy to love. No drama.
Do Wyandotte Chickens Mix Well with Other Breeds?
Wyandotte Chickens sit towards the top of the pecking order, if not at the top. They mix well so long as your other breeds are happy to know their place. They won't start a scrap - they’re not aggressive for the sake of it - but they will finish a fight on top if they’re pushed.
Are Wyandotte Roosters Aggressive?
Wyandotte roosters can occasionally be aggressive. There is a bit of a tendency for Wyandotte roosters to be aggressive towards people and other chickens. Well, they are roosters after all!
Their lineage and individual personalities seem to play a big part in determining their aggression levels. Some Wyandotte owners say they're big softies whilst others are threatening to throttle them soon.
Are Wyandotte Chickens Noisy?
Wyandotte chickens will let you know when they’re laying and roosters will make themselves heard if they think their girls are at risk, but other than those two very reasonable reasons to get vocal, Wyandottes are a quiet breed.
Are Wyandotte Chickens Broody?
The Wyandotte hen is not a very broody broad. Breeders note that ‘mumsiness’ seems to run in the family: if Mama hen was broody, then chances are her chicks will be good mothers too.
Caring For Wyandotte Chickens
Are Wyandotte Chickens Suited to Warmer Climates?
Wyandottes don’t mind a bit of heat, but on a hot day, you'll find them chilling out in the shade. Wyandottes are fluffy and curvy, so when it’s hot, you’ll have a sweaty Betty on your hands. If it's too warm, your Wyandotte hen might take a break from laying, to punish you...I mean, to help her stay cool.
Are Wyandotte Chickens Cold Hardy?
Those extra pounds and feathery coats which fail Wyandottes in the heat, work in their favor in colder conditions. Their rose comb is also less susceptible to frostbite than other types of comb, so Wyandottes will carry on laying right through the colder months for you.
Do Wyandotte Chickens Have Health Issues?
Wyandottes are hardy chickens. They don’t have any nasty hereditary issues that you’ll need to prepare or budget for. Those fabulous fluffy feathers do appeal to lice and pests though, so keep on top of treatments, and make sure you know how to spot and manage lice. Fluffy bottoms can get a bit mucky, so you’ll need to keep your Wyandotte’s coop nice and clean.
How Long Do Wyandotte Chickens Live For?
Wyandotte chickens live for 5 – 12 years. That’s quite a big range, right? Taking great care of your chickens will significantly increase their life span.
How Big Are Wyandotte Chickens?
Wyandotte hens grow to around 6 ½ lbs, and Wyandotte roosters grow to around 8 lbs.
Wyandotte chickens are classed as a large breed, and they look even bigger thanks to their fabulously fluffy feathers. They're rounded, sturdy birds with broad breasts and slim legs. A rather admirable figure if you ask me.
How Big Are Bantam Wyandotte Chickens?
Bantam Wyandotte hens weigh 24-26 ounces. Bantam Wyandotte roosters weigh up to 30 ounces. Bantams are a great option if you’re short on space, or just love the look of the little cuties bumbling about.
How Much Space Does a Wyandotte Chicken Need?
They’re big chickens, so they’ll need room to spread their wings. 8 square feet per bird would be best in the coop, and 12 inches of roost bar.
Nesting boxes need to accommodate their voluptuous figures so a standard 12 x 12-inch nesting box will be no problem, so long as they’re not asked to share.
Wyandottes don’t mind spending time in the coop, but regular exercise is a must to stay stimulated and healthy.
Can I Keep Wyandotte Chickens Free Range?
Wyandottes won’t stray far. They can fly, but they don't tend to, so they're easy to exercise without flight risk. You’ll only need a short perimeter fence to retain them.
Fowl Fact: Wyandotte chickens were originally called Winnebagos by the locals in New York where they were bred.
Wyandotte Varieties
How Many Varieties of Wyandotte Chicken Are There?
The APA standard of perfection recognizes 19 varieties of Wyandotte chicken including large fowl and bantams.
For showing purposes there are other well-known hybrid varieties including Blue Laced Red, Barred, Mille Fleur, and Lavender. 🙌🏼
Wyandottes are the chicken gift that keeps on giving. There are all sorts of weird and wonderful color-mix hybrids to pick from if you’re not fussed about showing your pets, like the Lemon Blue and the Blue Tolbunt. There’s actually too much choice!
What Are the Recognised Wyandotte Varieties in the U.S?
The APA recognizes 10 color varieties of Wyandotte chicken: 9 colors are recognized in both large fowl and bantam, and the Buff Columbian variety is only recognized in bantams.
|
Type |
Variety |
Type |
Variety |
|
Large Fowl |
Black |
Bantam |
Black |
|
Large Fowl |
Blue |
Bantam |
Blue |
|
Large Fowl |
Buff |
Bantam |
Buff |
|
Large Fowl |
Columbian |
Bantam |
Columbian |
|
Large Fowl |
Golden Laced |
Bantam |
Golden Laced |
|
Large Fowl |
Partridge |
Bantam |
Partridge |
|
Large Fowl |
Silver Laced |
Bantam |
Silver Laced |
|
Large Fowl |
Silver Penciled |
Bantam |
Silver Penciled |
|
Large Fowl |
White |
Bantam |
White |
|
|
|
Bantam |
Buff Columbian |
What Do Baby Wyandotte Chicks Look Like?
Wyandotte chicks don’t always look like mini versions of Mum and Dad! If you’re buying Wyandotte chicks, you’ll need to know your feathers from your down. Here are just a few examples of how Wyandotte family pics could look:
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Fact: The original Wyandotte chicken! Also known as Black Laced Silver Wyandotte.
Adult: Silver feathers with black edges, yellow legs, and wide black tails.
Chick: A mix of silver and black down feathers.
Fowl Fact: The first Silver Laced Wyandottes had black feathers with small patches of white in the center. The look evolved, but the name didn’t.
White Wyandotte
Fact: The rarest color of Wyandottes.
Adult: All white with a red comb. You might see black-edged feathers on the neck and tail.
Chick: Yellow (cute!)
Golden Laced Wyandotte
Fact: The most popular variety, and only the second variety to be recognised with the APA. Bred in Wisconsin for her looks, from a Silver Laced Wyandotte hen and a Gold Spangled Hamburg…we think!
Adult: Golden feathers with black edges. Short yellow legs. Black tail.
Chick: Okay, so these do look a bit like their folks! Black or grey with golden wing feathers and gold spots on their face.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte
Fact: Not yet recognized, but it will be soon!
Adults: Mahogany red feathers with a blue/grey trim.
Chicks: Blue, black, or a combination of both.
Barred Wyandotte
Fact: Bred in Germany by crossing Black Wyandottes and Barred Rocks
Adult: Horizontal black and white stripes of feathers all over. Zebra style!
Chicks: The body of a Barred Wyandotte chick is grey and white with barred wings and possibly chests.
Silver Penciled Wyandottes
Fact: Rare. Even rarer than the partridge and found mainly in Canada.
Adult: Intricate color variation with silver feathers marked with thin dark lines.
Chicks: Yellow with little black speckles.
Columbian
Fact: The angriest of Wyandottes!
Adults: White feathers everywhere but the tail, neck, and wings tips, which are black.
Chicks: White, black, or a speckly dalmatian combination.
“Columbian resulted from a crossing of a white Wyandotte and a barred Plymouth Rock. They were first exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, hence the name of the variety being called Columbian.” (APA)
How To Tell a Wyandotte Hen from a Rooster?
Wyandotte cockerels grow taller, sturdier, and bulkier than pullets. Roosters have pointier and shinier saddle and hackle feathers than hens, which are more rounded and closer in color to the rest of the bird.
Cockerels are also, well, cockier! They’ll be bolder and nosier than young pullets.
Wyandotte roosters are likely to crow at five months old, but pullets may not lay until nine months old, so sexing this breed can be tricky. You might need some help from the egg-sperts.
Are Wyandottes the Right Chicken Breed for Me?
Fowl Fact: In 1904 the Wyandotte was so popular in England that they cost the same as a small house at that time!
Wyandottes tick so many chicken boxes that the answer is probably yes! If you're looking for a beautiful bird that really is a great dual-purpose poultry pick, then Wyandottes are right for you!
If you are lucky enough to enjoy a hot climate, or you are looking to breed your chicks, then there may be better poultry to plump for.
Here are some poultry pros and cons for you to weigh up:
Wyandotte Chicken Pros:
1. They. Are. Gorgeous. With lots of varieties to pick from
2. Great for showing
3. Hens are friendly enough for families with children
4. They lay lots of yummy, medium-large eggs
5. Can be used for meat
6. Tolerate the cold well and lay all year through
7. Mix well with other breeds
8. Not too noisy
9. Hardy with no breed-specific health issues
Wyandotte Chicken Cons:
1. Roosters can be a bit aggressive, they might not be best around small children
2. Don’t thrive in hot climates
3. Not the cuddliest chicken breed out there
4. Not very broody – although if you want eggs, not chicks, this is a really positive thing!
Wyandottes? Why Not!
I don’t even need to ask what you think. I know you want some! Before you totter off to buy your new babies, take a little time out to get prepared. Properly!
Chickenpedia are at the top of the pecking order when it comes to easy-to-read, to-the-point, useful guidance on chicken keeping. There’s no fluff – well – there’s quite a lot about fluff, but their courses are packed full of essentials that will tool you up with everything you need to know to choose and care for your new poultry pals.
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