The Wyandottes

- aka "The Plastics," "The Gang," or "The Clique."


My Silver Laced Wyandottes are the only breed or even colortype of bird that has never died, gotten sick, or been intolerant of a certain weather. They aren't even prone to being a runt, the bottom of the totem pole, or the butt of a joke. They're the perfect girls - Or so they see it. They're beautiful, yes, they're supposedly good layers, yes - But so far all I see are teenaged 5 month old pullets who are always in a group, always arguing amongst themselves, and always pushing around other birds who don't have enough self-confidence. Oh, and they also chase the sparrows, towhees, and Stellar's Jays.


The colors are hatchery-based, so they come in every type - From light, partial lacing to nearly black, and in between are the perfectly laced girls. The interesting bit is that the darker the bird, the most submissive and less agressive of personality she has. At night, when all the Wyandottes go up to sleep, it is usually the darker girls who are picked on the most or, if away from the lighter ones - the quietest. Pictured here is a hardly laced lighter girl, resting at dusk.




Soon, the girls will all have names - But for now it is just Llena who has a name. She's the fullest and most adultly looking pullet, so I chose a name that fits it. (translates to "full") Here is a photo of her doing what she does best - Endure thick frost and hang out with the "cool kids."












Now, I'm not saying that people shouldn't get a Wyandotte or so, I'm just illustrating the amazing personality that my little group has. Since all of my other breeds have experienced a casualty or nine or so, these are different. Also, they're not exactly as forward and friendly except for food - But this is a single case. These are hatchery bought birds, and had a slightly rough childhood of being chased around by the older girls (the Brahmas and Polish) Also, they're only 5 months old - They haven't even given us eggs yet. My "Bearded Babe," Tufted, was the most skittish, flighty, and panicky chicken I have ever known until she started laying - She mellowed right down and became the pride of the family soon after.

My is it windy!!

Yesterday, it was so cold in the morning that when I opened to door to the coop, noone wanted out. So weird. This is how they were - huddled in a group for warmth, with the friendliest (Rix, my favorite and most personal of pullets) looking straight up at me. A lot of the girls were still asleep too. It was cold enough that I saw my first "jackfrost" in 10 years. The funny part of the cold vs the chickens is that the only winner comes out to be the group of Wyandottes - Each morning, the only ones who seem to tolerate the cold, frost, and ice are the Wyandotte girls. They really don't mind it, and run and play wherever and whenever.



Today is a slightly different story - Instead of still, freezing air - It is gusty, windy air. There isn't as much frost around because of this, but it sure does keep the chickens in secure areas, such as underneath a fallen, cut down walnut tree, where the sun peaks in for about an hour, and the wind doesn't blow as hard. This is how Mila looked during a large gust. The rest of the girls went barreling in a stampede towards the coop just before this photo was taken,





Among the hectic wind that gusted above 20mph, bringing wind chills down to 20 degrees, there were two Bald Eagles courting and whistling above the flock. They certainly are not welcome here, but at least keep their distance. To most of America, Bald Eagles are considered elegant, beautiful, and endangered species. Here, they are common as a crow and a danger to the chickens, but still fun to photograph if close enough. ( not this time though )





In general, the days are cold. It is the 7th or so day now in a row that we have had nothing but hidden away sun, dry air, and lots and lots of frozen ground. brrr. Here's the chickens greeting me in the morning, as a lot: