Chief - Son of Rooster Cogburn
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte
The Wyandotte is a american breed with uncertain origins. They are a medium weight, dual purpose breed for the production of meat and eggs. Wyandottes are generally gentle and calm birds. They are a medium slow growing breed, taking up to 18 months to fully mature. This is one of the best breeds for cold winter climates as their low profile rose combs are not prone to freezing and their heavy feathering and solid body keep them comfortable even in harsh winter conditions.
Wyandotte hens can weigh from 6.5 to 9 pounds. They are very good layers of medium to large light brown eggs. They are a great choice for a winter layer since they are not put off by the cold like many other breeds are. Wyandotte hens are excellent setters and make good mothers.
Roosters can weigh from 8.5 to 11 pounds. They are easy going birds and not typically aggressive with people. Extra cockerels can be ready for the table anywhere from 5-7 months.
The blue laced red variety of wyandotte is as of yet not accpeted with the APA. There is still too much inconsistency in color and far too much lack in type in most individuals of the variety. There are some breeders who are close, but more serious breeders are needed if the breed is to become accepted. To see the proposed standard for the blue laced red wyandotte as well as see many pictures of beautiful birds, go to www.bluelacedred.com. If you are interested in playing a part in bringing these beautiful birds to exhibition quality, please do some homework and study correct wyandotte type as well as the correct color.
I have been very pleased with my blue laced reds. They are very calm, gregarious birds. The hens are often underfoot, checking to see if I have brought them any goodies. They are always the first to greet me at the door and to "help" me with my cleaning chores. My hens have been laying eggs ranging in size from 2 to 2.75 oz. They are dependable layers, never going off schedule unless they molt or go broody! I have yet to have a real hard time breaking them up if I really want to. My bird's lines come from excellent breeders such as Sue of Sterling Center Farm, Jerry Foley and Jesse Paul. My line is a work in progress and although they are not yet ready to show, they are excellent layers and breeding birds.
I make no claim to having true to standard birds, but I am working toward that goal with every hatch.
A WORD ABOUT THE ANDALUSIAN BLUE GENE
The gene that is responsible for the blue color in in the wyandotte breed is called andalusian blue. It is what is called a incomplete dominant gene. A chicken can have as many as 2 copies of the gene. The andalusian gene affects black pigment. It "dilutes" black to blue in varying shades. If a chicken gets only one copy (called heterozygous) of andalusian, the gene will dilute any black on the bird anywhere from a pigeon blue to a deep slate. If a chicken gets 2 copies ( called homozygous), the black is "double diluted", making it appear nearly white but with irregular splashes of dark blue. Homozygous andalusian birds are called splash for this reason.
When breeding birds with andalusian blue, it is best to understand how the gene works before you plan your breeding pens. This chart shows what you can get when breeding blues:
Blue to Black= 50% Blue 50% Black
Blue to Blue= 25% Black 50% Blue 25% Splash
Blue to Splash= 50% Blue 50% Splash
Splash to Black= 100% Blue
Splash to Splash=100% Splash
Wyandotte hens can weigh from 6.5 to 9 pounds. They are very good layers of medium to large light brown eggs. They are a great choice for a winter layer since they are not put off by the cold like many other breeds are. Wyandotte hens are excellent setters and make good mothers.
Roosters can weigh from 8.5 to 11 pounds. They are easy going birds and not typically aggressive with people. Extra cockerels can be ready for the table anywhere from 5-7 months.
The blue laced red variety of wyandotte is as of yet not accpeted with the APA. There is still too much inconsistency in color and far too much lack in type in most individuals of the variety. There are some breeders who are close, but more serious breeders are needed if the breed is to become accepted. To see the proposed standard for the blue laced red wyandotte as well as see many pictures of beautiful birds, go to www.bluelacedred.com. If you are interested in playing a part in bringing these beautiful birds to exhibition quality, please do some homework and study correct wyandotte type as well as the correct color.
I have been very pleased with my blue laced reds. They are very calm, gregarious birds. The hens are often underfoot, checking to see if I have brought them any goodies. They are always the first to greet me at the door and to "help" me with my cleaning chores. My hens have been laying eggs ranging in size from 2 to 2.75 oz. They are dependable layers, never going off schedule unless they molt or go broody! I have yet to have a real hard time breaking them up if I really want to. My bird's lines come from excellent breeders such as Sue of Sterling Center Farm, Jerry Foley and Jesse Paul. My line is a work in progress and although they are not yet ready to show, they are excellent layers and breeding birds.
I make no claim to having true to standard birds, but I am working toward that goal with every hatch.
A WORD ABOUT THE ANDALUSIAN BLUE GENE
The gene that is responsible for the blue color in in the wyandotte breed is called andalusian blue. It is what is called a incomplete dominant gene. A chicken can have as many as 2 copies of the gene. The andalusian gene affects black pigment. It "dilutes" black to blue in varying shades. If a chicken gets only one copy (called heterozygous) of andalusian, the gene will dilute any black on the bird anywhere from a pigeon blue to a deep slate. If a chicken gets 2 copies ( called homozygous), the black is "double diluted", making it appear nearly white but with irregular splashes of dark blue. Homozygous andalusian birds are called splash for this reason.
When breeding birds with andalusian blue, it is best to understand how the gene works before you plan your breeding pens. This chart shows what you can get when breeding blues:
Blue to Black= 50% Blue 50% Black
Blue to Blue= 25% Black 50% Blue 25% Splash
Blue to Splash= 50% Blue 50% Splash
Splash to Black= 100% Blue
Splash to Splash=100% Splash
8 month old splash cockerel
Rooster Cogburn, 14 month old cock
