Wyandottes
By: Nic

There is no clear beginning to the Wyandotte breed as I have discovered while researching this breed. The Silver Laced is the original Wyandotte. In 1865, several poultry breeders independently started working on creating a productive pretty bird. The hens would be good layers and the surplus cockerels would be good roasters. A silver laced bird would have a well-rounded body and yellow skin. At this stage, some had feathered feet and there was a wide range of comb types. The actual "make-up" of the bird came from a combination of multiple crosses of the following: Sebright Bantams, Mooney spangled Hamburghs, Dark Brahmas, and Buff Cochins. While there were several different breeders working to produce this new variety, one breeder, Mr. L. Whittaker came up with the ideal bird; an eventual standard to aim for. This was accepted by everyone and so an engraving was commissioned by Mr. Whittaker. This was recognized as the Silver Laced Wyandotte in 1883 by the APA. The "perfect" bird did not exist yet; just an ideal to strive for. The name Wyandotte was the suggestion of Fred Houdlette (one of the leading breeders working on the standard). It was the name of his father's coasting vessel which was thought to be named after the Red Indians in Northeast America and Canada, who were known as "Wendots". Wyandotte is the French version. Black and White Wyandottes The original breeders of the Silver laced Wyandottes, while endeavouring to produce their laced bird ,were getting white and black chicks in their hatches as far back as 1872. They were reluctant to admit this, let alone accept them as standard varieties, until Mr. G. Wooley and his associates exhibited the whites. The whites were then accepted by the APA in 1888 and the blacks in 1893. The whites became one of the most popular breeds in America because the breeders concentrated on their shape. They did not have to worry about the feather patterning. They produced a good table bird. Gold Laced Wyandottes Around the same time, Joseph McKeen of Wisconsin created Gold Laced birds, which he first called Winnebagoes. The crosses of the following birds were used: Partridge Cochins, Gold Hamburghs, Brown Leghorns (rose-combed), Golden Sebrights, and Buff Cochins. He used the best cockerel and crossed it with the silver laced Wyandotte which had not been named so yet. These were standardized as Gold Laced Wyandotte by 1888. Buff Laced and Blue Laced Wyandottes Mr. Keller of Ohio started working on the buff laced and blue laced Wyandottes in 1886. The blue laced was first named the "violet laced". They did not gain popularity in America and Mr. Keller exported the stock to Britain and Germany. The coloring of the buff and blue laced was probably found by accident. Mr. Keller used the following crosses and didn’t expect the colours he got: Gold Laced Wyandottes and White Wyandottes (the first found from breeding the Silver laced). At this time, the genetics of breeding blue birds was not understood, and the unpredictable colors that were hatched probably turned breeders off. Partridge and Silver Pencilled Wyandottes Now that the silver laced Wyandotte was recognized and the shape and qualities were seen as a good basis; many more colors were being attempted. Two strains of Partridge Wyandottes were being worked on known as the Eastern and Western strains. The Eastern strain was made up by using the Gold Laced Wyandottes and Partridge Cochins. These were fluffy birds with good markings. The Western strain had included Indian Game in their "mix" which made for tighter feathering. Eventually the two types were crossed and a bird was developed that everyone was happy with. The Silver Pencilled Wyandotte was made by using the part created Partridge Wyandotte. The other breeds used were: Dark Brahmas, Silver Laced Wyandottes and Silver Pencilled Hamburghs. From these beginnings ,many other colors and patterns have been produced. The basic Wyandotte shape and standard runs through all varieties. This Standard is described as follows: (British Standard) Head and Neck The head is ahort but broad. The comb is rose colored, firm and even on the head. It is low at the front and tapered towards the spike which should follow the curve of the neck. The face is smooth and fine in texture. Ear lobes and wattles are medium-length. The comb is colored and the face and earlobes are all bright red. The eyes are bright orange and their beak is horned and various shade of yellow. The males has a medium length neck which is well-arched with full hackles. The female has a short neck and full hackles. Body The breast is full and round with a straight keel bone. the back is broad and short. The saddle is full and round; rising with a concave sweep to the tail. Wings are medium-sized and nicely folded to the sides Tail The tail is well developed. On the male, the true tail feathers are carried rather upright and the sickles are medium length. Females have tail which spread at the base Legs and Feet Thighs are medium length and well-covered with soft feathers. Their fluff is full and abundant. Shanks are medium length, and strong, but fine in bone. They have four straight toes which are well spread. The Shanks are colored and their feet are bright yellow; which may shade to straw as they mature.