Are you interested in adding a colorful chicken breed to your backyard flock? The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicken is an excellent choice.
The Wyandotte stands out as one of the most popular and well-liked chicken breeds everywhere in the world, especially here in the US, Europe, and Britain. From its great friendly personality to egg-laying capabilities, and cute color ranges that brighten your backyard, there is a lot to love about these birds.
Over recent years, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes have been catching the attention of many people, particularly because of their rare coloring. These birds may not be recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA). However, we have high hopes that this color variation may be accepted as a new chicken breed in the Wyandotte chickens category.
In addition to the blue lacing over their red feathers that gives them a spectacular and cute look, these Wyandottes are good egg layers and friendly. These birds are known to be hardy and very healthy, are easy to take care of, and are beginner-friendly.
In this article, we have included all you need to know about the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicken. From temperament, how to care for them, appearance, price, and more. By the end of this review, you will have decided whether this chicken breed is right for you.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicken Breed History
The history of the Wyandotte chicken breed can be traced to the late 1800s here in the US. These birds were developed as dual-purpose chickens for both egg production and as table birds. The chickens were named after the Wyandot people who are native to North America.
A lot of birds are said to have been used in creating the Wyandotte chicken including Brahmas, the Mooney, and the Silver Spangled Hamburgs. Other assumptions say that it is likely breeders also used Polish hens and Brenda fowls. The Silver Laced color variety was the first to be created and then the others followed.
The Blue Laced Red is thought to have been originally developed in Germany in the late 1800s although recorded sources say it was here in the US. It was then shipped to the United Kingdom and possibly Europe. The success of the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, however, was achieved in the UK. These birds gained popularity in Germany after they were displayed at the Poultry Show in Leipzig. It was accepted by the German Standard of Perfection in 1929.
A table for the Silkie Chicken Breed
| Good for Beginners? | Yes |
| Weight | Hen (6 to 7 lbs.), Rooster (8 to 9 lbs.) |
| Temperament | Docile and Calm |
| Lifespan | 5+ years |
| Egg Production | Up to 4 weekly |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Color Variety | Red feathers with blue lacing |
| Good with kids | Yes |
| Are they Broody? | No |
| Price | $20 to $40 per chick |
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicks
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicks are lovely babies that have a blue laced red color pattern that is buff or red in color with a blue that resembles grey near the edge of every feather.
The neck feathers of the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicks are blue until they merge with the deep red head feathers. At this stage, it can be challenging to distinguish roosters from hens.
Check out these cute pictures of the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicks below:
Appearance
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte has not yet been officially recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA). As such, there is no breed standard for these birds.
Typically, Wyandottes are described as large and round birds with a full breast and a U-shaped back. The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicken has dense feathers beneath that have a grayish blue hue. The back, sides, and breast feathers of these birds sport a reddish-chestnut color that is laced with a blue or gray color.
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte has a rose comb that is red in color and so are the wattles and earlobes. Expect the eyes to have a red bay color and the beak horn colored. These birds’ skin and legs are yellow in color. The legs are short and sturdy to support their weight.
The neck feathers of the Blue Laced Red are blue in color and run that way until they meet the deep red feathers of their head.
Size & Weight
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is a large chicken with roosters weighing approx. 8.5 lbs. and hens about 6.5 lbs. Due to their fluffy look, they appear to be larger than they really are.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Hen
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hens are quiet and peaceful and will be friendly to their owners although not attached to them like Silkies. While they tolerate being held and picked up, these cute girls will not be your lap chicken like the Buff Orpington or Silkie.
These birds reach maturity when they are 18 months old during which their feathers become fluffier with crisper color when they molt. Some Blue Laced Reds, however, will take longer to mature until they are 20 weeks old. Hens have feathers that are rounded and uniformly colored.
Expect these girls to start laying when they are around 16 to 18 weeks, and they will lay reliably even during the winter months. These birds will give you up to 4 cream or light brown large eggs per week. All Wyandottes will continue to lay eggs until they are 3 years old where they might still produce after this period but maybe less frequently.
And while these hens are not broody, they will sit on the eggs you give them and make exceptional mothers.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Rooster
At 5 months old, Blue Laced Red Wyandotte roosters tend to have developed remarkably shiny, pointed saddle and hackle feathers. Like their female counterparts, Wyandotte roosters are quiet and calm. Blue Laced Red Wyandotte roosters are fairly approachable.
These roosters reach maturity when they are 20 months old and are ready for use as table birds.
Are blue laced red Wyandotte Roosters aggressive?
Generally, most Wyandotte roosters are less aggressive compared to roosters from other chicken breeds. They will be devoted to their flock, tend to them, and will protect them at all costs.
The Brahma Chicken is yet another large breed that is good for meat and eggs as well.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Hen vs Rooster
How to tell a Wyandotte rooster from a hen is easy by the time these chickens are 5 months old. Generally, all you have to look at are features such as combs, wattles, and feathers.
Facial skin
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte roosters tend to have notably larger and redder wattles that grow faster than in hens. In addition, the combs are wider and redder in color in hens although it may be different with individual birds.
Feathers
When it comes to feather growth, Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hens tend to feather out faster than roosters. Tail feathers in roosters may also take longer to grow than in hens. Unlike hens, the shoulder feathers in roosters are fewer and shorter.
In addition, some young roosters tend to have shiny saddle feathers on the edges when they are 4 months old. Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hens, on the other hand, have uniformly colored feathers. Be careful, however, as this might not be the case for all roosters. The glossy feathers may show after their second juvenile molt when they are around 5 to 6 months old.
Physique
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte roosters have a wider and stronger body compared to hens that are daintier.
Legs and Feet
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte roosters are long-limbed with larger feet and longer legs than hens.
While these factors may help you to distinguish between a Blue Laced Red hen and roosters, it is possible to have discrepancies since each chicken is different.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Bantam
Wyandotte bantams are extremely popular in the chicken world and are very attractive and charming birds to have in your backyard.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte bantams, like their standard counterparts, are sturdy and productive when it comes to health and eggs. These birds have a cute solid and round appearance with a rose comb that makes them tolerate the winter months.
The bantam variety of the Wyandotte chicken breed was originally bred in England. These birds have yellow feet and legs. Adult Blue Laced Red Wyandottes have red heads topped with blue with saddle and hackle feathers that are red laced with blue color.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicken Colors
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chickens come with red feathers and a blue lacing hence the name.
If you are interested in another attractive chicken breed that you can add to your backyard flock, the Sapphire Gem chicken is a fantastic choice.
What is it like owning a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicken?
Blue Laced Red Wyandottes are adorable birds that you will love to watch roaming about in your backyard. These birds are super-active and will enjoy ranging freely in the yard. They are excellent foragers that will roam around in search of bugs, seeds, and more to supplement their daily diet.
Like all Wyandottes, the Blue Laced Red tends to be standoffish and reserved. This means that it will not interact with other chickens that are not its kind. Wyandottes only love the company of other Wyandottes.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Personality
All Wyandottes are described as calm, quiet, and reliable. They are the kinds of chickens that will hardly be bothered by anything. And unlike other chickens that will interact freely with birds in your backyard flock, the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte tends to be aloof. Mostly, they prefer the company of their kind.
As mentioned earlier, the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is calm and docile which means that it will not show aggression toward other birds. However, they will defend themselves if picked on. As such, do not keep Wyandottes with assertive chicken breeds. They can live together will a low pecking order such as Silkies and Orpingtons among others.
Although the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is relatively quiet, friendly, and peaceful, it is not the best choice if you are looking for a lap chicken. Yes, they will not have a problem being held, but they prefer keeping a distance.
Typically, the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hails from a long line of very tolerant chickens that tends to be more independent rather than social.
These birds make outstanding mothers that will protect their chicks at all costs and will sit on the eggs you give them passionately.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Egg Production
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte will start laying eggs when they are between 16 and 20 weeks old or later. Expect one chicken to bless you with about 4 eggs per week which means you will get approx. 200 eggs per year.
Unlike other chicken breeds such as the Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, and Orpingtons among others that hardly lay eggs during winter, Wyandottes will lay throughout, even in winter.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Eggs
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte egg color is brown and comes in a large size.
Are Blue Laced Red Wyandottes broody?
These birds hardly go broody because they have fertility issues. However, they will sit on the eggs you give them gladly.
| Eggs per week | up to 4 eggs |
| Color | Cream or Light Brown |
| Size | Large |
If you are looking for another reliable egg-laying chicken, the Leghorn chicken is an excellent choice.
Noise Level
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicken is generally quiet and relaxed. And while they are talkative with each other, the chats are hardly loud for it to be termed noisy.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hens will only be heard due to the egg song while roosters are audible when they crow. This noiseless nature makes all Wyandotte chickens a good choice for people or families that live in areas with noise restrictions.
Facts about the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicken
- There is no breed standard for the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte because they are yet to be recognized.
- These chickens were bred in the US and shipped to other parts such as the UK and Europe.
- Some Blue Laced Red Wyandottes have a low fertility rate, but hens will usually sit on any egg that you place under them for hatching.
- These birds rarely get frostbites due to their rose comb.
- Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicks can be pricey.
Read more about the Serama chicken breed here.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Chicken Care Guide
Like all chicken breeds, good care for your Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is imperative. From their health to nutritional needs as well as coop setup, you need to make sure that your birds are comfortable.
Health Issues
As said earlier, the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicken is known to have a high probability of fertility issues. In addition to that, the dense feather of these birds makes them prone to lice and mite infestations. As such, they should be checked regularly to protect your Wyandotte from anemia that is caused by mites. Lice also affect your chicken’s overall health.
Like all chickens, the Blue Laced Red is susceptible to internal parasites such as worms. It is recommended that you deworm your chickens as per the instructions of a professional.
Feeding
Like with any other livestock, feeding your Blue Laced Red Wyandotte the appropriate nutrition is very crucial for their overall health.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chicks need to eat a diet that contains 20% protein content until they reach 16 weeks old. We recommend feeding your chicks crumbles since they are simpler for your chicks to eat.
When your Blue Laced Red is 16 weeks old and above, transition their daily regime to layer feed. Make sure that you also serve them oyster shells in a separate bowl to help boost calcium levels in their diet and body.
As a rule of thumb, ensure that these birds have clean and fresh drinking water throughout the day.
Coop Setup and Roaming
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is a large bird that needs ample space to rest, lay, and roam.
Inside the Coop
Make sure that each Blue Laced Red has 8 square feet of space inside the pen where they can stretch and spread their wings comfortably. If they are sharing the coop with other chicken breeds, more space is better.
These birds tend to be heavy so their perches should be strong enough to hold their weight, especially because they cuddle together during winter. These roosts should provide each chicken with up to 12 inches of space.
The nesting boxes of the Blue Laced Red Wyandottes should have a standard size of 12 by 12 inches. While this space is big enough and comfy for your chickens, it discourages net sharing.
Outside
While the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte tolerates confinement as long as it has ample space, nothing makes these chickens happier than roaming in the yard. Being wonderful foragers, Wyandottes like to range freely to supplement their daily diet with bugs and other goodies.
All Wyandottes, including the Blue Laced Red, are not flighty birds. Therefore, a fence around their roaming area that is 3 to 4 feet high will help keep them inside the designated area.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Lifespan
Blue Laced Red Wyandottes are hardy and strong birds with a life expectancy of 5 years and above.
Make sure that you groom and feed them appropriately while checking their health regularly.
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte for Sale
Do you live in Australia, Canada, the US, or the UK among other regions in the world, and are interested in keeping the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte?
You can buy these chicks from reliable and dependable chicken breeders in your specific region. Make sure that you purchase these birds from recognized breeders. Those living here in the US, for instance, can check from Cackle Hatchery. Many keepers that we talked to and visited recommend them.
Do not buy chicks from online sites such as eBay, Craig List, and the likes. While not all sellers on the site are unscrupulous, most of them are and it is hard to know who to trust. The best thing to do when you want to raise any birds is to visit the breeder personally.
How much does a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte cost?
Expect to spend up to $40 on a good quality Blue Laced Red Wyandotte chick.
Should you keep this breed?
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is a genetic wonder. These birds are lovely to the sight, hardy, and easy to take care of with few health issues.
You should keep these birds if you are looking for chickens with great egg-laying abilities and tolerate both warm and cold climates. Make sure that you do not have assertive chicken breeds such as the Rhode Island Red in your backyard. While Wyandottes are calm and peaceful, they will finish off any chickens that tend to pick on them.
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