Wyandottes: silver, golden, black and white. Their origin, history, characteristics and standard points; how to mate, judge and rear them for exhibition and commercial purposes; with a chapter on their diseases and treatment

Front matter

PRICE, FIFTY CENTS,

WYftNDOTTeS

OF SUPERLATIVE MERIT.

Introduction

The popular adage, that we " Cannot have too much of a good thing," is verified by the unprecedented popularity of the Wyandotte family, as it increases in numbers, influence and beauty. In offering this new work to the Wyandotte breeders of America, as a larger companion to our Plymouth Rock monograph, we make no apology for its appearance at the present time, as the title page of the latter bears the announcement of the coming of a series on " American Breeds."

The Wyandotte family has outgrown the environment of small and early-written works. The monograph on " The Wyandotte Fowl," written by Mr. Felch and the writer, for the Ferris Publishing Company, seven years ago, fails now to satisfy the breeders and admirers of the Golden, Black and White varieties, because it treats only of the original laced breed. The addition of three important members to the family, necessitates a new and larger work and this has been produced in the one now presented to the Wyandotte breeders of the New and Old Worlds.

We trust that the breeders and admirers of the four Wyandotte varieties, which are described singly and otherwise fully treated of, considering the limited space at our command, will largely profit by the perusal and study of this work. Although this book is gotten up in the popular and pleasing style of the Plymouth Rock work, it is more than one-third larger and the subjects are more varied, more thoroughly discussed and more comprehensive. It is nexv and fresh from beginning to end, and one variety does not suffer at the expense of another.

4 Introduction.

Being free from personal bias; having no pecuniary interest in one variety more than another; no alliance with cliques or parties holding controlling interest in the new varieties; we flatter ourselves that the honesty and truthfulness of our purpose and efforts, in this Work, to do justice to all, is apparent to every reader, whether he admires or breeds the laced or self-colored varieties.

We ask no favors from one class of breeders more than another; our duty rests on justice and good will to all, and this should be a "shining mark" to popularize the work, which we have the honor and pleasure to dedicate to the Wyandotte Breeders of America, in token of our regard and esteem.

JOSEPH WALLACE.

Janesville, Wis., April, 1891.

PART FIRST. Silver Wyandottes

ORIGIN AND HISTORY.

Much praise is due the fancier who improves and beautifies his flock, and much more is due the one who originates and gives to the world the creation of his skill and the result of his labors. It is to be regretted that we cannot render the originator of Silver Wyandottes any testimony of praise and esteem, as his name is unknown to the poultry fraternity, and the grave refuses to disclose the identity of our great benefactor, who has left behind him the first fruits of his efforts, to be worked over by willing and loving hands, and, in the end, by judicious crossing and combining dififereat elements together, evolving one of the most useful breeds known to poultrymen.

The Silver Wyandotte is the result of composite crosses, varying widely in plumage and general characteristics. It has more elements of separate crosses than are found in other standard breeds; It combines the useful and comely qualities of its predecessors; its size, type, unique plumage, flesh and egg producing merits, meet the desires and approval of its fanciers and admirers, and it promises to eclipse other leading breeds in popular estimation.

Much of the early history of the Silver Wyandotte is shrouded in mystery. Mr. I. K. Felch has contributed some early records of the breed to the poultry press, which go back twenty years or more. A Mr. John P. Ray, of Hemlock Lake, N. Y., was breeding Sebright Cochins with rose combs, between the years 1868-71. His fowl, as Mr. Ray expressed it, was from Sebright Bantam and "Yellow Chi'.agong.'' It seems that two other persons had been breeding the same, or nearly the same kind of fowl, as the following correspondence shows:

DearSir — I was at Lima last week and saw some Sebright cliickens that were hatched from eggs obtained from you.

I have a nice lot of the same breed, and wish to get two cocks to cross with my hens, as mine are all related. If you can spare those that are well marked, with double or rose combs, that will make good size cocks, you may send them to me. I am particular about the comb, as mine are rose combs and I do not wish to breed them single. Write me if you have them to spare and at what price.

Yours truly.

Rev. Mr. Baker. John P. Ray.

Endorsed on the back of this letter is the Rev. Mr. Baker's reply.

J. P. Ray: Honeoye Falls, August 2?), 1871.

Dear Sir — I have no fowls to sell. I think you could get two cocks of Rev. Mr. Benson if you would apply soon. Mr. Benson would probably want %i each.

A. S. Baker.

Evidently single and rose combs appeared in the early Sebright Cochins, as the single comb has done in some broods since the Silver Wyandotte was admitted to the Standard. This feature appeared in two separate broods, which we reared seven years ago, and the eggs were purchased from two breeders in the state of New York. The birds with single combs were much lighter in plumage, and the lacing showed a very close resemblance to that of the Silver Spangled Hamburg.

Thus we see that Messrs. Ray, Baker and Benson were in possession of the foundation material of the Silver Wyandotte in 1871. The following year a cut of one of Mr. Ray's birds appeared in the Rural Home. The same and following year he sold some of his stock to Messrs. McMillan, Dudley, Whittaker and Hull. The subsequent cross on this foundation blood was a Silver Spangled Hamburg and Dark Brahma. No pea comb appeared until after this cross of 1876.

After the Sebright Cochins had been bred some years by several breeders in New York, Michigan and probably in other states, Mr. Payne, of Binghamton, N. Y., advertised his fowls in the Poultry World in 1874-75. In 1876 this breed was presented to the American Poultry Association, at Buffalo, for admission to the Standard under the name American Sebrights. This type was from a cross of the Silver Spangled Hamburg and Buff Cochin. It was conceded that this fowl was much superior in type, beauty and usefulness to the Sebright Cochins, while other parties had been at work to obviate the faults of the latter, as the lacing was too light and too indistinct to merit being called laced. Single combs

Silver Wyandottes — History. 7

appeared with rose combs, feathered with smooth legs, bhiish white with red earlobes, and blue with yellow legs. It is said that a black fowl of the Breda breed was introduced in the crossing to enrich and give permanency to the lacing, and the two productions being crossed, formed the American Sebrights.

On the presentation of the American Sebrights, the American Poultry Association acknowledged the promising merits of the new breed, but objected to the name on the ground that it was suggestive of Bantam. They knew, too, that several types of the new breed were being cultivated, and that the admirers of each were desirous of giving new names. A new cross of Silver Spangled Hamburg and Dark Brahma now appeared, and it was much in advance of the other crosses in type and desirable qualities, although it possessed a pea comb. One party earnestly advocated single combs. Mr. Whittaker was in favor of rose combs, and Mr. Kidder strongly pressed the advantages of a pea comb. The petition was so far considered that Mr. Payne was appointed chairman of the committee to settle on a name and standard for the breed; but the committee failed to make a report and the American Sebright had to wait till 1883.

Happily the delay prompted improvement, and the product of the Hamburg and Dark Brahma, with the best of the other crosses, evolved a more pleasing plumage and type, which appeared under the name, Eureka. The combination of the two original crosses, with the last named, formed a desirable breed; and from that time on they grew in popularity and their sales became really marvelous, though advertised as American Sebrights, Excelsiors, Eurekas, Ambrights, Columbias, etc. In order to harmonize and settle on a name, Mr. I. K. Felch suggested the name Hambletonian and prepared a standard, which was the basis of the one made for the breed at Worcester, Mass., in 1883, when it was admitted under the name, Wyandotte.

Mr. Fred. A. Houdlette, of Waltham, Mass, an enthusiastic fancier and admirer of the new breed, suggested the name Wyandotte, after a tribe of Indians, but possibly out of some inspiring recollection of his father's ship, which was named " Wyandotte." However, the name was a surprise, and the pill which the fanciers of the country had to swallow was somewhat disagreeable, though perplexed and confused by the number of names attached to the breed.

Doubtless, much of the enthusiasm and excitement over the Silver VVvandotte was due to the little booms which the fanciers of

8 Wyando'ites.

the different crosses tried to establish on the appearance of their favorites. Another factor of their popularity, which has escaped public attention, is the trouble and perplexing disappointments which followed the breeding of Plymouth Rocks to uniformity of color and matching in the show pen. The Wyandotte was hailed as a relief by those who had not been very successful with the other breed; the plumage of the Wyandotte being unique, their size, laying and table qualities being much in their favor, they soon shared a measure of the popularity lavished on the Plymouth Rocks.

The Wyandotte met a hearty welcome in every stage of its transition. American fanciers began to take an interest in new breeds of American origin. The Plymouth Rock was a grand success, although its color is much against it as an ornamental or fancy breed; the Wyandotte, on the contrary, showed promise of becoming a handsome fowl, when the skill of the fancier had brought it up to standard requirements. Hundreds engaged in the breeding of Wyandottes before the breed was admitted to Standard honors; and so enthusiastic were the admirers of this noble breed that Messrs. Arnold and Houdlette published a standard for the breed in advance of the American Poultry Association.

The favorable qualities of the Silver Wyandotte have come through judicious crossing and improvement of each cross. After the first experimental cross, there was no haphazard crossing afterwards. The Asiatic, with its large frame, robust constitution and quiet nature, transmitted these desirable merits to modify the nervousness, sprightliness and non-sitting trait of the Silver Spangled Hamburg. On the other hand, the Hamburg has transmitted a share of its precocity and prolificacy, besides exterior points. The original crosses served to modify the Asiatic characteristics, and these, combined with the Hamburg-Brahma cross, established the "happy medium" now characteristic of the Wyandotte.

The original combination would probably create a very good breed in time, if left to itself and the skill of fanciers; but being reinforced with fresh material of a better quality, the modification and improvement became more marked, and the objectionable points of each being largely bred out, all harmonized in one grand whole. It is almost certain that the originator had a laced breed in mind, and that the lacing of the Sebright Bantam was the ideal in view, excepting the tail and hackles, which were to be black and black laced with white. However magnificent the ideal, few birds have appeared in late years that could be called Sebright laced.

Silver Wyandottes — History. 9

Some writers think that a Silver Polish fowl was a likely element in some of the crosses, but there is not the slightest foundation for this opinion, because some of the points of the various breeds in the combination have appeared at one time or another, but no crested chick, none with bifurcated comb, none with cavernous nostrils, and these could not be wholly bred out in so short a time. If some advanced fanciers look on the Silver Polish hen as the ideal for the Wyandotte hen, in lacing, that is no sign Silver Polish had anything to do with the plumage of the Wyandotte. Seeing so few hens of Sebright lacing, that of the Silver Polish can be more readily attained by adding a solid black tail and a Dark Brahma hackle.

It is useless to dwell on the object of the originator of Sebright Cochins. We hardly think he had a variety of Cochins in view, by using a Bantam, and it is doubtful that he sought to make a Cochin Bantam, because he ceased further reduction of size. In all probability a medium-sized fowl was the ultimate object, but the white ground color and black lacing of the Sebright were wanting; the whole plumage presented a yellowish cast, being rather a mass of lacing, penciling and mossing; too light in both sexes to be attractive and pleasing.

At this crisis in the breed, it was deemed advisable to fix a preponderance of black without changing other features, in order to make the lacing distinct. The black fowl of Breda blood, mentioned by Mr. Felch, offered a very suitable cross on account of its flesh qualities and unique comb, but the addition of the Brahma cross left the breed in a condition which would favor either the lightness of the Hamburg plumage or that of a dark plumage with white centers, as the partiality of fanciers should dictate. Breeders found much penciling and mossing in place of clear and distinct lacing in the light-plumaged birds. Mr. Felch always advised to make black the preponderant color, as the tendency of the breed was to light plumage, and we frequently advised the same thing.

When we take a retrospective view of the Wyandotte, we are surprised at the unprecedented boom it had, both before and after its being admitted to the Standard. No breed up to that time had ever been in such demand; perhaps no breed will ever enjoy such a boom. But, with its popularity was created a greed for gain; wretched specimens were put on the market, together with every speckled fowl having a rose comb, which rapidly lessened their popularity. A few far-seeing fanciers held on to their stock and denounced jobbers and unscrupulous breeders for putting on the lO Wyandottes.

market such fowl; advised cooperation in breeding liigh-class standard birds and exposing frauds. This, together with the confidence of their admirers, won back their former popularity, and now it is universally conceded that it rests on a foundation as permanent as the everlasting hills.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.

The value of Wyandottes rests not alone on their comely appearance, good size and excellent flesh qualities, but also on their fairly good laying merits and quiet disposition. By common consent, they are called handsome; both male and female claim their respective shares; still, the peculiarity of their lacing and penciling will admit of greater improvement and perfection in all points. They are scored too high at present by all judges, perhaps owing to the reason that there is no ideal standard in their minds to which the specimens should approach. There is much of the surface of the body, thighs and rear part of the hen's back that needs improvement to correspond with the head, neck and breast.

There is no question regarding their usefulness, as that is conceded by all breeders who have given them proper attention and compared their merits with other breeds. Indeed, there are some well meaning fanciers who make extravagant assertions of their superiority over all other breeds. Such statements must be taken with many grains of allowance, as they are not equal to the Dorking, Houdan and Game in quantity and quality of breast meat, and not equal to the Leghorn, Minorca, Hamburg and Red Cap in egg production; but when we make a comparison with either of the breeds named, on the basis of general usefulness, that is, an all-round, general-purpose fowl, fulfilling the desires of the farmer, cottager and fancier, the Wyandotte is to be preferred.

There are many reasons why the Wyandotte is so popular in this country and Great Britain, though possessing scores of good breeds. In the first place, the lacing is unique; the size and weight is the most desirable for market; the carcass has not the grossness, coarseness of flesh and heavy bone frame of the Asiatic, nor the light and spare body of the small varieties. The color of the flesh is much in their favor, as the majority of our fowl consumers prefer yellow skin to pale color, as it suggests richness of meat. Whether this notion of color in the flesh of breeds adds to its real value or not, we will not discuss; so long as people hold that notion, anything contrary to it might not change or benefit any one. If the

Silver Wyandottes — Characteristics. ii

eye is satisfied in color of flesh, it is very likely that the palate will share some of its satisfaction. However, the flesh of the Wyandotte is generally praised for its flavor and sweetness. Of course, it has not been tested so thoroughly by judges as that of the Dorking, Houdan, Langshan and Game; but all fanciers of the breed accord in pronouncing it a splendid table fowl.

Egg production is a very valuable quality in Wyandottes. To be sure, every experienced breeder knows that no breed of fowls possesses all desirable qualities. A breed may be handsome in plumage, faultless in type and carriage, and an excellent layer; but, if we desire to unite splendid table qualities, kind disposition, domestic habits and other merits, to the other qualities, some of the former would have to be sacrificed. We can get, and we have got, all these in some breeds, but they are not highly developed; they are mediocre, and they do not excel only in one or, at most, two special qualities. There is no question but what Leghorns, Hamburgs and Polish, properly cooked, are good enough for a royal feast, yet they are not the equal of the Dorking in point of table merits. We are speaking of prime merits here ; fowls are not excepted from the general laws governing animated nature, as all living things may possess some high or transcendent quality individually, but none possess all in a high degree.

The Wyandotte, although not excelling in any special quality, is the happy possessor of an even and well-balanced organism, which makes it preferable to the majority of breeders over breeds excelling in some points and deficient in others. It is the equalization of useful qualities in the Wyandotte which makes it so popular ; there is no excess of one quality at the expense of the other ; a " happy medium " is established, and that goes to guarantee a higher improvement in all, with time and skill. None of our standard breeds has so many different elements in its make-up, and to these may be attributed the medium qualities which the whole family possess, as there is a check on any characteristic exceeding due bounds, so to say, by opposite characteristics of one or more of the composite stock.

The type and plumage of the Silver Wyandotte are much in their favor. The type approaches that of the Dark Brahma in a modified way. This, we believe, was the one most in favor by the leading breeders and judges, as it would not be judicious to trench on that of the Plymouth Rock or Java. Type is an accepted index of distinction in breeds. Originally, it was a short step between the Brahma and Cochin, the Plymouth Rock and the Java, but the object of breeders is to give each breed a distinctive type. One can see in the Wyandotte the bold, erect form of the Brahma, especially in the male ; the high rump and tail, the full neck, the face, the fluff and heavy stern; also the shank, although featherless, is the limb of the Brahma, as also is the beak — indeed, the general structure is that of the Brahma, with just such modifications as the Hamburg cross would give.

The primary object with this breed, as stated before, is to obtain a well-made, compact and blocky bodied, clean-legged fowl, of as large a size as is considered suitable, clad in the garb of the Silver Sebright; that is, as near as can be obtained in most features except tail, which is black, or should be so ; but a great many cock birds have their primary sickles edged with white, and the edged sickles are invariably accompanied with clear markings on rump, as opposed to sooty or rusty saddle and entirely black sickles.

The comb, being a low rose, admirably fitted for our cold winters, is a valuable feature in the breed. In good specimens, it is narrow, and partaking of the curve of head. It is hard to get a good comb, and considerable deviation is seen in a lot of cockerels — in one you can see a shapeless, wide comb, in others the Hamburg spike and more coroneted comb ; but the narrow and close-fitting comb, curved with shape of head, is the desired object.

As sitters and mothers, the Wyandotte hens will perform their duties faithfully. They are steady sitters, and very few will desert their nests after the work of incubation begins. They are not quite as industrious foragers and scratchers as the Game and common hens, but, otherwise, they are kind mothers They are not so restless and nervous as the small hens, and, having a strong dash of Asiatic blood, they do not lead the young far away, nor exert themselves in diligent search for food. There is a quiet and contented feeling in their nature, which insures confidence in the young, though they may be from a restless and shy breed. This is of small import, as the majority of fanciers now coop the mother hens.

The Wyandotte is unquestionably a splendid breed and holds first rank among American fowls. It is a breed that commends itself in various ways, utility and beauty being two of its chief recommendations — two good qualities in combination; essential properties which no real fancier is disposed to ignore, nor which, indeed, in the interests and progress of poultry culture, should be overlooked or underrated.

Silver Wvandottes — Description. 13

DESCRIPTION.

The Male.

Head. — This section is independent of comb, ear-lobes and wattles. It is the part which embraces beak, arch and crown; these give a definite shape to the head. The configuration is decidedly Cochinish, with just such modification as to relieve it of the heavy eyebrows of the Cochin; but still it shows a beetling brow, which is also noticeable in the female.

Beak. — This does not differ from Asiatics or Plymouth Rocks in form. It is yellow, with a heavy stripe of dark horn color shading the upper mandible, the yellow showing on the point and lower edges.

Face. — This is a deep red color, rather than bright. The eyes are bay; ear-lobes red, well developed and folding where they curve; comb is bright red, rose in form, being low and flat, somewhat narrower at the base than top, with less prominence of spike than that of the Hamburg — the comb following the curve of crown to back of head, and the surface evenly corrugated; wattles are bright red, medium size, and hang below a line with ear-lobes; plumage is smooth, short and silvery-white in color.

Neck. — This is short, well arched, and abundantly supplied with hackle; the plumage of hackle is silvery-white, heavily striped with black down the center of each feather, and tapering to a point at the extremity. A good Dark Brahma hackle is the ideal to attain. The silver edging should be free from smut or black lacing — a common, and, I might say, a general fault, is the outer edge of the lacing near the point being penciled with black.

Back. — This should be short and broad, and appear flat across the shoulders; the plumage is silvery-white on surface, and should be free from brown; under-color is slate, but the webs are frequently tinged with straw-color, and difficult to breed out; saddle is full and broad, and preserves a concave sweep from back to tail; plumage is silvery-white, with a black stripe running through the center of the feathers, same as in hackle.

Breast, — This should be deep and round; under-color of plumage slate, web of feathers black with medium-sized white centers, which taper to a point near the extremity, the white increasing in size with the prominence of breast.

Body. — This should be short and deep and suggestive of being blocky in appearance; the under-color of plumage is slate, and the

Wyandottes.

web of feathers black, or black slightly frosted with white; fluff full at the sides and posterior, which gives the bird a heavy appearance; plumage is dark slate, powdered with gray.

Wings. — This section should be medium in size; the primaries black, with outer web edged with white; secondaries black, with outer half of lower web white; wing coverts, upper web black, lower web with a narrow black stripe along the edge, which widens toward the tip and forms a double bar across the wing; wing-bows are silvery-white, and the shoulder coverts have slate under-color and the web white.

Tail. — This is full, medium length, well spread at the base and well filled in with black, curling feathers; sickles are of medium length, nicely curved and glossy black in color; tail coverts are glossy black, and the lesser coverts are black, or black with an edging of white, following the color of saddle.

Legs. — These should be medium short, stout and well set apart; the thighs covered with soft feathers, color black or black powdered with gray; shanks rather short and stout, free from feathers, and in color bright yellow; toes straight and well spread, and same color as shanks.

Standard Weight. — Cocks eight and a half pounds, cockerels seven and a half pounds.

The Female.

Head. — The configuration of head is the same as that of the male, but smaller, and the heavy brow is more modified.

Beak. — This is in form, color and shade same as in the male.

Face. — This is a deep red color; the eyes are bay; ear-lobes red, well developed and folding where they curve; comb is bright red, rose in form, being low and flat, smaller than that of the male, and following the curve of crown and back of neck, the surface evenly corrugated; wattles are bright red, medium size and hang below a line with earlobes; plumage is silver-gray.

Neck. — This is short, well arched and abundantly supplied with hackle feathers; the plumage is silvery-white, with a black stripe through the center of each feather, and tapering to a point at the extremity.

Back. — This should be broad and short and appear flat at the shoulders, and slightly cushioned; the plumage has small white centers, and free from outside white lacing; under-color dark slate, and web black.

Silver Wyandottes — Remarks. 15

Breast. — This should be full and round; under-color slate, web of feather white, and each feather distinctly and evenly laced with black, the white increasing in size with the prominence of breast.

Body. — This is short, deep and round at the sides; the undercolor is slate, web of feather black, with a narrow white center running into black, or black frosted with white, along the thighs. The body is too short; a longer one would indicate greater value in the line of egg-production. The fluff is full, and gives a heavy appearance to the posterior; color of plumage is dark slate, powdered with gray.

Wings. — These are medium size; the primaries are black, with lower web edged with white; secondaries black, with the outer half of the lower web white; wing and shoulder coverts are dark slate in under-color, the web white and heavily laced with black, the black lacing growing wider over the wing-bow.

Tail. — This is full and well spread at base; the color is black; the greater coverts black; lesser coverts black, or black with white centers, though usually slightly penciled with white.

Legs. — These should be medium short, stout and well set apart, the thighs covered with soft feathers, color black or black powdered with gray; shanks rather short and stout, free from feathers, and in color bright yellow; toes straight and well spread, and same color as shanks.

Standard Weight. — Hens six and a half pounds, pullets five and a half pounds.

Remarks.

We have adhered quite closely to Standard description in the above, without using the same words, and, for all practical purposes, it will aid the novice in committing to memory the standard requireirients of the breed under consideration, until such time as he finds it necessary to mate, judge and prepare birds for exhibition and sale, when a " Standard of Perfection " will be indispensible, so as to have an authoritative work to guide him, not only in the culture of Silver Wyandottes, but also in all other recognized breeds.

One cannot, however, glean from the Standard an ideal of the breed it describes. The facial appendages, color and marking of plumage, legs, and, in fact, all points, are described quite minutely, but the type of the breed no words can express sufficiently clear to give a correct ideal. This is especially true of the Silver Wyandottes.