
Well it has been months since I last had a true talk about my Wyandottes. Since they are the only breed I have that is relatively common, and a topic of discussion of hatchery quality and behavior - Here's how mine grew up to be. Do you remember these 10 ladies when they were younger? They were brats. They always had the nickname of "The Gang," "The Clique," and so on. Their quality was not looking hopeful, their friendliness was just about nil - even to themselves, and they were always in groups. Well, here's them today. Colors, names, maturity, and now laying eggs.
Here's a little walkthrough on how the girls look. They've grown to have better lacing, but still are very thin, have erect, small tails, and almost every single one has a different comb. No, none of mine are bad enough to have single combs as some hatcheries sell - But some of my girls have combs that are too rosy, abnormally grown, or just plain too medium sized and not tight enough. Wyandottes should have small, tight to the face rose combs. Mine range from that to large rosecombs, like on a bantam, to combs so bulbous, the tip is hidden underneath the rest like a bellybotton. Anyway - They're a lot more friendly, and lay a great amount of eggs.

This is the Wyandotte with the abnormal comb. She was always the darkest of them, with the least amount of white. As a chick she was nearly black. Her name is orange, as I have marked all the Wyandottes with colors and given them accordingly names but for one.

This is red - One of the two who, for a while, were the only ones who had really good lacing throughout their bodies. She's got a lovely posture and chest, and I guess that could be where it ends.

This is Lilac, the most perfect of my Wyandottes. She once got sick for a while, and couldn't use her legs too well. She eventually got better, and because of that - Is one of the two friendliest Wyandottes, and one of the two only ones who will voluntarily come up to me without hesitation. Why is she perfect? Her lacing distributes well, her comb is decent, her face has a nice "dark brow" without the sickly and small eyes, and her tail ends pretty well, without too much of long, thin, erect base. She's also very quiet.

This is Umber, note the brown-colored wings for her color-name. She's also quiet, and has some "okay" lacing. She has a very small, tight comb. Pretty nice looking, if it weren't for her small head.
So, I sound very critical and harsh on my own birds - But I like showing the good and bad of things; Judging what is nice and what is wrong or could use improvements. And, these are hatchery birds - They're mainly just to lay eggs, so they're bound to have physical faults.
But, all in all, my Wyandottes have greatly improved. They're not the same "Gang" they used to be. Still biccersome - But not as bad as previous.
Illia -- your photos are lovely. Your wyandottes are magnificent!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tips on judging Wyandottes. I never really look at the things in the standard. I have 2 silver-lace Wyandottes, and others (Ameriacuna, Buff Orp, NH Red). One of my Wyandottes was the only one to keep laying all through our wet, dark winters. That work ethic makes them a favorite on that count. I too find them more stand-offish from people and bossy to the other girls, but i love Wende and Dot!
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful chicken website. Please read mine.
ReplyDelete