Wyandotte Chicken: Facts, Lifespan, Traits & Care

Wyandotte chickens are a heritage variety with a unique history. This was the first American breed to be made of both meat and eggs. These birds were named in honor of the Wyandotte Indian Nation and became so popular in England during the early 1900s, that some Wyandotte chickens could be bought for as little as a small home!

Wyandotte Chicken Quick Facts

Species Name:	Gallus gallus domesticus
Family:	Phasianidae
Care Level	Moderate
Temperature:	Hardy in cold environments
Temperament:	Calm, friendly, and docile
Color Form:	Many
Lifespan:	6-12 years
Size:	6-9 pounds
Diet:	Omnivore
Eggs per week:	4 on average
Tank setup:	Free-range
	Backyard chicken keepers

Wyandotte Chicken Overview

Wyandotte chickens make a great choice if you want to raise backyard birds that can be used for both domestic and commercial purposes. These chickens were created to be the perfect dual-purpose chicken. They are the first chickens of their kind in the New World. Wyandotte hens are great egg layers and you can expect to get an average of four eggs per week. You’re getting plenty of birds for your buck, as males can reach eight to nine pounds.

This breed is well-known for its strength and durability, as well as its health. There are no breed-specific health issues that you should be concerned about. They are easy to care for due to their excellent temperaments. Although they are generally friendly and docile, they may not be kind to climb into your lap.

There are many Wyandotte types today. In the 1860s, Wyandottes were created from a single type: a silver-laced Wyandotte. Wyandottes were crossing the ocean by the 1900s and the English became obsessed with them.

The Wyandotte lost its popularity when industrial farming was introduced. Many backyard farmers and homesteaders realized the amazing potential of Wyandottes, which made them one of today’s most popular heritage breeds.

What Does it Cost to Buy Wyandotte Chickens?

Wyandotte chickens can be quite affordable. Prices will vary depending on what you choose. You have the option of hens or roosters. There are also significant price reductions when you purchase multiple chicks. Wyandottes chicks cost on average $2-$5 each. Females are more expensive than males. You’ll be able to save the most if you buy a mix. They don’t even check for sexual activity.

The Typical Behavior and Temperament

Although Wyandottes may not be known for being friendly chickens, they are known to be calm and easygoing. They are friendly birds but not affectionate. Although Wyandottes are not lap birds, they will not show aggression toward you. They are slow birds, however. They are slow when they’re out in the yard eating the seed. Wyandottes don’t move in a hurry.

Appearance and Varieties

Wyandotte chickens came only in silver-laced varieties when they were first made. Soon afterward, Wyandottes with golden laced wings were developed. A few chickens were also born with unusual colorings, such as white Wyandottes. White is the rarest Wyandotte chicken color.

A Colombian Wyandotte is created when a Wyandotte of white crosses with a Barred Plymouth Rock. A Partridge and a Buff Wyandotte are also available. These are only a few examples. Wyandottes are well-known for producing high-quality meat and eggs. They have been bred into many different Wyandotte varieties including blue, red, red-laced, and silver-penciled. Wyandottes come in almost every color you could want, it suffices to say. According to Entente Europeenne, there are at most 30 colors Wyandottes come with.

It’s not only the colors that are able to distinguish Wyandottes. Bantam Wyandotte chickens are also available. They are smaller than full-sized ones. The average male Bantam Wyandotte weighs 40 ounces, while the average female weighs 36 ounces.

How to Care for Wyandotte Chicken

Coop

At night, your chickens will sleep in their coop. They need to feel safe in their coop at night. If it rains, snows, or is otherwise inclement, they should be able to keep warm and dry inside. Each chicken should have a perch that is approximately a foot in width.

Your number of birds will determine the size of your coop. Three square feet per bird is a good rule of thumb. If you have six birds, the coop should be at most 18 square feet.

Run

Chickens require more than just space for roosting. They require a larger area where they can roam, forage and get enough exercise to not become obese. The run should be at least twice the size of the coop. Each chicken should have a run of at least 15 square feet. With six chickens, a run should be at least 90 feet in size.

Protection

Chickens are prey animals. These tasty birds are not only enjoyed by us but by many other predators as well. Many predators will consider your chickens a tasty meal. This includes coyotes and foxes. You will need to make sure your flock is safe from predators. Both the run and the coop must be predator-proofed. It won’t be possible to keep an eye on your birds 24/7, so make sure you have protections that you can rely on.

Are Wyandotte Chickens compatible with other pets?

Wyandotte chickens are considered friendly, but not necessarily towards other species. They are friendly towards humans and have been known to be friends with many other species.

Some species may be more compatible with chickens than others. It’s a two-way relationship. This will work if your other pets are friendly with the chickens.

Other birds, such as ducks, geese, and turkeys, are more likely to get along well with Wyandotte chickens. They may also be friends with goats or horses.

How to feed your Wyandotte chicken

Wyandottes love to be free-ranged and thrive in such environments. However, it is not always possible so you can use a commercial chicken feed that has a 16% protein content. You can increase the protein by feeding your bird a 20% blend during the molting season. These birds will happily eat scraps from the table, fruits, and vegetables, but it is best to limit their intake to occasional treats.

How to Keep Your Wyandotte Chickens Healthy

Your Wyandottes should be allowed to run for a lot of time. This will help keep them healthy. They can get plenty of exercise by running, foraging, and looking for insects. They’ll also get lots of sunshine and fresh air. This exercise will ensure that your Wyandottes don’t become overweight.

Breeding

It is easy to breed any kind of chicken, including Wyandottes. You just need to leave a rooster and your hens will take care of everything else. It’s that simple. However, you should only use one rooster. Two roosters are not allowed with your hens. They will fight for dominance.

There are certain times when eggs are more likely to be fertilized. This is the spring, for example. Your Wyandottes are more likely to produce fertilized eggs in colder climates than others.

Are Wyandotte chickens suitable for you?

Wyandotte chickens make a great choice for any backyard chicken farmer or homesteader. These birds are excellent for both meat and egg production. You can expect to get up to four eggs per week as an egg layer. Males can easily reach nine pounds and give birth to robust birds that are full of delicious meat.

Wyandottes are easier to maintain than other breeds. Wyandottes are hardy birds with no breed-specific health issues. They can withstand cold but not well in warmer climates. Wyandottes can be a great choice for your flock unless you live in an extremely warm area.