Silver Laced Wyandottes are a dual-purpose breed known for both their meat and eggs and are originally from the United States. They are well known as both family friend chickens and show birds, coming in a myriad of colors with numerous feather patterns available.
The Silver Laced Wyandotte chick is one of the most popular Wyandotte chicks available.
These birds are sought after by backyard flock owners due to their docile personalities, usefulness, hardiness, and of course, their appearance. However, they are still relatively rare and can be difficult to find.
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Where do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens come from?
Silver Laced Wyandottes come from mixing Dark Brahma’s with Silver-Spangled Hamburgs, and the creators of the breed specifically were trying to create a dual-purpose bird that was inexpensive for American families following the Civil War.
These birds were originally called American Sebright, Sebright Cochin, or Mooney, but the name was later changed when the creators decided to pay homage to the Wyandot tribe – a Native American tribe that had helped the people of New York and Canada.
What does a Silver Laced Wyandotte Chick look like?
Wyandottes are fairly large birds as adults, and have a broad and rounded body shape. They have red ear lobes, red wattles, reddish eyes and yellow legs.
Silver Laced Wyandotte chickens are the original variety of the breed, and they make amazing show birds because they are such beautiful chickens.
They are noted for the following:
- Silver Laced Wyandotte day old chicks vary from black to light, and may have contrasting stripes down their back
- Broad-Feathered
- Silvery white feathers with a sharply defined greenish black edge
- Have a tight rose comb
Breed standards do exist for Wyandottes, and the American Poultry Association has recognized only 8 varieties of Wyandotte breed:
- Golden Laced Wyandotte
- Silver Wyandotte
- Columbian Wyandotte
- White
- Black
- Buff
- Partridge
- Silver Penciled
The American Bantam Association has recognized the following 7 Wyandotte breed varieties:
- Buff Columbian
- Black Breasted Red
- Blue Laced Red Wyandotte
- Lemon Blue Wyandotte
- Barred
- Brown Red Wyandotte
- Birchen Wyandotte
There are many different varieties available of Wyandottes, but the most popular remains the Silver Laced Wyandotte.
Do Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Lay Eggs?
Wyandotte hens are known as good layers and if you‘re looking for egg production they can be an excellent choice.
| Egg Production | 200 Per Year |
| Begins Laying | 18 Weeks |
| Laying Span | 6 to 8 Years |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Size | Medium |
While Wyandotte hens have approximately 6 to 8 egg-laying years, they can live up to 12 years with proper care.
Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens Good for Meat?
These beautiful birds are a true dual-purpose breed and were specifically created to be one of a handful of chicken breeds that are good for meat as well as for eggs. They were cast aside once the chicken industry was industrialized, as there were other breeds that grew faster and could be butchered earlier.
Is it Easy to Breed Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicks?
Breeding Silver Laced Wyandotte chicks can be a tricky business. It is possible but these birds typically have a low hatch rate and need a lot of help.
The first thing you must do is provide a large chicken coop with appropriate size nesting boxes. The coop should have feeders placed at an appropriate height, and plenty of fresh, clean water.
It is important that your hatchery and brooder are ready as Wyandottes typically are not broody and it is likely that you will need to watch over the eggs yourself to ensure an optimal hatch rate.
Keeping your coop at a temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold is also a challenge but can certainly be handled to mimic the best climate for these chickens.
Hopefully by giving a helping hand to your hardworking hens, you will be rewarded with a plentiful flock of baby chicks!
What Health Problems Silver Laced Wyandotte Chickens have?
These birds do face a few health issues, but they are luckily not as significant as other breeds. Some of the health problems include narrow backs, small chicks, and poor hatches.
It is important to choose reputable breeders for your starter chicks, and to ensure that you are always taking care of your chickens by providing adequate shelter, high-quality feed, and routinely ensuring they are given the appropriate vaccines and supplements for optimal health.
Are Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicks Right for You?
If you are seeking a dual-purpose chicken with an assertive but friendly disposition, that is beautiful and going to be at the top of the pecking order in your mixed flock, the Silver Laced Wyandotte chick may be for you.
If you are looking for a backyard chicken that enjoys foraging and enjoys being free-range but is comfortable with confinement, that is another plus for Silver Laced Wyandotte chickens as they are quite adaptable.
They are friendly without being cuddly and do enjoy human interaction. Most people would be happy to have these beautiful birds in their backyard chicken coop.