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Wyandotte |
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The history of the Wyandotte is so extensive that it would take many specialized books to cover it all. Such books do exist around the world, by the way. This story will have to be restricted to highlighting the history. The first known Wyandotte was the Silver Laced that was developed from the Silver Sebright and the White Cochin in the state of New York in the second half of the last century. Initially these were called "Sebright Cochins". Around the same time, Silver Spangled Dutch Fowl - Hamburghs - were crossed with solid Buff Cochins. The offspring of the first and second generations were then bred together and the following generation was called "American Sebrights" and "Sebright Wyandottes". By breeding these back to the offspring of the combination of Silver Spangled Dutch Fowl and the dark Brahma, called Eureka's, the original Silver Wyandotte was bred. The hotbed of the variety was in Ontario, to the south east of Rochester, NY. Later on, breeders in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Michigan took the breed up as well. There was no uniformity of type as yet, and it took until 1883 when they were recognized in the Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Society. The breed was exported to England and Russia, but there was not a great deal of interest yet. Their popularity began when the Golden Laced, Whites, Buffs and Blacks were created. In 1905, eight varieties were known. The White was the most popular of all in those days, because of the uniformity in type and the good egg production. Even though, the appearance of the breed was subject to changes and different opinions. These were solved around 1925. The breed played an important role as a good layer until the arrival of the true utility breeds. Since the beginning of this century, the Wyandottes has spread around the world and many different colors have been created in various countries. The Wyandotte, especially the bantam, is without any questioning one of the most popular exhibition breeds these days. In the United Kingdom there is a renewed interest in the pure bred, pedigree utility White Wyandottes again. Description The Wyandotte is a medium heavy and medium sized bird that is rounded
all over which is emphasized by the breast that is carried forward. The
neck arched backwards and the abundant plumage throughout the whole body.
The head is relatively small, broad, rounded and short. The low and
slightly hollow, bright red, rose comb conforms to the shape of the skull.
The face is bright red as well as the oblong ear lobes and medium long
wattles. The beak is short and well curved. The color of it in most
varieties is yellow, sometimes with a horn colored overlay. The eyes are
reddish golden-brown. The body is of medium length and depth, the back
short and broad rising to the short tail that is carried at an angle of 40
degrees in cocks and 30 degrees in hens. The breast is deep and well
rounded. Characteristics Wyandottes are an intimate and friendly breed. Although the uniformity
is quite good these days, it is not like that in all the varieties. This
can be blamed on the number of breeds that were involved in the creation
of all the varieties. Therefore, higher demands are placed on the older
varieties than the newer ones. It is a good dual purpose breed, that grows
well and will lay 200 - 220 eggs a year depending on selection, feed,
housing and husbandry. The egg color varies from white to tinted. The
meat quality is very good and they are very suitable for fattening through
their fast maturing. They become broody easily and have very good
mothering abilities. Depending on the variety, sex and age they weigh between 2500 and 4000 grams. Varieties There are numerous varieties of which the following are the best known: Silver Laced, Gold Laced, Buff Laced, Blue Laced, White, Black, Blue, Barred, Mottled, Partridge, Silver Penciled, Columbia, Buff Columbia, Blue Columbia, Buff and Red. Next to this, many other varieties exist but most of the time being of national importance. |
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