Wyandottes

My brother Jake raises Partridge and Silver Laced Wyandotte Bantams. My brother's birds are described by the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection as a bird of curves.

Wyandotte’s are well balanced, and the body is carried in a horizontal position on stout yellow legs. Looking at the bird from the front, the legs are well spread and fairly heavy in bone. The breast is broad and full. Another unique characteristic of the Wyandotte is the head. It has a bold appearance emphasizing the cobby appearance of the whole bird. The crowning feature is a rose comb, which follows the head and ends at the back of the head in a neat spike. The back shows a short space above the shoulders, then rise towards the tail, blending smoothly and evenly. There is no break where the back leaves off and the tail begins and for this reason the Wyandotte often appears to have a much shorter back than is really the case. The breadth of the back is carried out in the breadth of the body so that the sideline of the fowl as viewed from above appears smooth and curvy.

My Brother has the original Wyandotte, the Silver Laced variety. Its origins are somewhat uncertain. This breed appears to have had a laced plumage pattern. The Wyandotte breed name derived from a once numerous tribe of North American Indians. The logo for the Silver Wyandotte Club of America contains a drawing of an Indian tepee.

My Brother’s specialty is his Partridge Wyandotte Bantams. This variety was admitted to the American Standard in 1901. They were first called Golden Penciled Wyandotte’s, and it would be well if this name remained as it describes the pattern of the female very fittingly. The color is dark brown except the female has the three penciling marks on each feather of the body. The main tail feathers are black in both male and female. The male is marked as the Red Jungle fowl, only darker in color.

My Brother does very well showing his Partridge Wyandotte’s. And we thank Adrian for giving us a start with this beautiful bird. My Brothers Partridge Wyandotte’s are tough to beat!

Pictured at top is Valderon. Valderon was best variety, best of breed and reserve champion RRCL at the Christmas Fun show 2011. Pictured in the lower right is Miss Belle. She was the Arizona State fair Best variety, best of breed and Reserve Champion RCCL.