Blue Laced Wyandotte Chicken: Characteristics, History, Behavior, and Temperament

March 28, 2024 by Lauro Braganza

Welcome to our blog post, all about the beautiful and captivating Blue Laced Wyandotte chicken! If you’re looking for a unique and eye-catching addition to your flock, you’ve come to the right place. With its striking blue laced feathers and friendly disposition, this breed will turn heads in any backyard or farm setting. This article’ll delve into the history, physical characteristics, behavior, and uses of the Blue Laced Wyandotte chicken. So grab a cup of coffee or tea and get ready to discover everything there is to know about these stunning birds!

Blue Laced Wyandotte Chicken History and Origin

The Blue Laced Wyandotte is a distinct variety of the Wyandotte chicken breed, known for its striking blue-laced plumage. To understand the history and origin of the Blue Laced Wyandotte, it’s important to first delve into the history of the Wyandotte breed itself.

The Wyandotte chicken breed originated in the United States in the late 19th century. It was developed by combining several chicken breeds, including the Dark Brahmas, Silver Spangled Hamburgs, and White Cochins. The goal was to create a breed suitable for meat and egg production while also being hardy and adaptable to various climates.

The Blue Laced Wyandotte is one of the many color variations that emerged within the Wyandotte breed. Its name is from the striking blue lacing pattern that adorns its feathers. The blue coloration in the feathers results from a genetic mutation, and breeding for this specific trait was gradual.

The Development of the Blue-Laced Wyandotte likely involved breeding birds with desirable blue lacing patterns and then selectively breeding their offspring to refine and stabilize the trait. This selective breeding process took several generations to produce the consistent and stunning blue lacing seen in today’s Blue-Laced Wyandottes.

These chickens are primarily bred for their ornamental value and are popular among poultry enthusiasts and backyard chicken keepers for their beautiful appearance. While they can produce eggs, they are not typically considered prolific layers like some other breeds.

Blue Laced Wyandotte Physical Characteristics

The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is a large, heavy breed of chicken. Roosters weigh 8-9 pounds and hens weigh 6-7 pounds. They have a deep, full breast and a broad frame. Their head is small and rounded, with a rose comb that is set close to the head. The wattles and earlobes are red. The eyes are deep set and a reddish bay color.

The Blue Laced Wyandotte is a striking and popular breed of chicken known for its unique appearance and distinctive plumage. Here are some key characteristics of the Blue Laced Wyandotte:

Appearance:
- Head: Blue Laced Wyandottes have a moderately sized, rounded head with a prominent red comb and wattles. The comb is usually a bright red color and may have multiple points, often resembling a rose comb.
Plumage and Color:
- Feathers: The most notable feature of Blue Laced Wyandottes is their beautiful laced or edged plumage pattern. The “blue laced” part of their name refers to this pattern. The feathers are blue with a lighter blue or silver lacing or edging, creating an intricate and eye-catching appearance. The blue lacing contrasts sharply with the dark blue feathers.
Size and Weight:
- Blue Laced Wyandottes are a medium-sized breed of chicken. Adult hens typically weigh around 6-6.5 pounds (2.7-2.95 kg), while adult roosters are slightly heavier, ranging from 7-7.5 pounds (3.2-3.4 kg). These weights can vary somewhat based on individual birds and breeding.
Legs:
- Blue Laced Wyandottes have clean, unfeathered legs. Their leg coloration is usually a slate-blue or grayish color, which complements their overall appearance. They have four toes on each foot, and their feet are well-suited for scratching and foraging.

Overall, Blue Laced Wyandottes are prized not only for their striking appearance but also for their friendly and docile nature, making them a popular choice among backyard chicken enthusiasts. They are good layers of brown eggs and are known for their cold-hardiness, which makes them suitable for various climates. These chickens are often kept for both their beauty and their utility in egg production.

Blue Laced Wyandotte Chicken Behavior and Temperament

Blue Laced Wyandotte chickens, like other Wyandotte varieties, are known for their pleasant temperament and friendly behavior. Here are some key characteristics of their behavior and temperament:

Docile and Gentle: Blue Laced Wyandottes are generally docile and friendly birds. They tend to be calm and easy to handle, making them a good choice for backyard chicken keepers, including families with children.
Tolerant of Handling: These chickens are usually quite tolerant of being handled and are often described as “lap chickens” by their owners. With proper socialization and gentle handling from a young age, they can become quite affectionate and enjoy human interaction.
Social Birds: Blue Laced Wyandottes are social birds and enjoy the company of their flockmates. They are not typically aggressive or prone to bullying other chickens, making them good additions to mixed flocks.
Curious and Active: While they are generally calm, Blue Laced Wyandottes are also curious and active birds. They enjoy foraging for insects and exploring their environment. Providing them with space to roam and scratch for food can help keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Cold-Hardy: Wyandottes, including the Blue Laced variety, are known for their cold-hardiness. They have a compact body with dense feathers that provide good insulation, making them well-suited to colder climates.
Vocal but Not Excessively Noisy: Like most chickens, Blue Laced Wyandottes will make noises throughout the day, including clucking, squawking, and sometimes crowing (in the case of roosters). However, they are not typically excessively noisy, and their vocalizations are generally considered pleasant.
Low to Moderate Egg Production: While Blue Laced Wyandottes can lay eggs, they are not prolific layers compared to some other chicken breeds. You can expect them to produce around 200 to 220 medium-sized brown eggs per year. Their primary value often lies in their ornamental appearance rather than their egg-laying capacity.
Broody Tendencies: Some Blue Laced Wyandottes, particularly the hens, may exhibit broody tendencies. This means they may become protective of their eggs and want to incubate them. This behavior can be managed if you don’t want them to hatch chicks.

Blue Laced Wyandotte chickens are known for their friendly and gentle temperament, making them suitable for backyard chicken enthusiasts looking for both ornamental and sociable birds. Their docility, cold-hardiness, and adaptability to various climates make them a popular choice among chicken keepers.

Uses and Purpose

Blue Laced Wyandotte chickens serve several purposes and have various uses, although their primary value often lies in their ornamental qualities due to their striking blue lacing pattern. Here are the main uses and purposes of Blue Laced Wyandotte chickens:

Ornamental and Exhibition: Blue Laced Wyandottes are primarily bred for their attractive appearance. Their unique blue lacing pattern on their feathers makes them stand out in a flock, and they are often kept for exhibition in poultry shows. Enthusiasts and breeders appreciate their beauty and strive to maintain and improve their appearance through selective breeding.
Backyard Pets: Many backyard chicken keepers choose Blue Laced Wyandottes as pets. Their friendly and docile temperament, along with their striking appearance, makes them enjoyable and visually pleasing additions to home flocks. They can become quite tame with regular handling.
Educational Purposes: Blue Laced Wyandottes are sometimes used in educational settings, such as schools and 4-H programs, to teach students about poultry husbandry, animal care, and genetics. Their relatively calm nature makes them well-suited for such purposes.
Egg Production: While not their primary purpose, Blue Laced Wyandottes do lay eggs. They typically produce brown eggs; you can expect around 200 to 220 eggs per year from a single hen. While they are not prolific layers compared to other breeds bred specifically for egg production, they can still provide a source of fresh eggs for their owners.
Conservation and Preservation: Some breeders and enthusiasts are dedicated to preserving heritage and rare poultry breeds, including Blue Laced Wyandottes. Raising and breeding these birds contribute to the conservation of genetic diversity within the breed and help prevent the loss of unique color varieties.
Broodiness: Blue Laced Wyandotte hens may exhibit broody tendencies. When broody, they become dedicated to hatching and raising chicks. This can be a useful trait if you’re interested in hatching your own chicks naturally, as these hens can be excellent mothers.

Blue Laced Wyandotte Hen Egg Production and Broodiness

Blue Laced Wyandotte hens are known for their ornamental qualities, but they also can lay eggs and may exhibit broodiness. Here’s what you can expect regarding egg production and broodiness in Blue Laced Wyandotte hens:

Egg Production: Blue Laced Wyandottes are not among the most prolific egg layers when compared to some specialized egg-laying breeds like Leghorns or Rhode Island Reds. On average, a Blue Laced Wyandotte hen may lay around 200 to 220 brown eggs per year. Remember that individual egg production can vary based on diet, health, and environmental conditions.
Broodiness: Blue Laced Wyandotte hens, like other varieties of Wyandottes, can be prone to broodiness. Broodiness is a natural behavior in hens, where they become determined to incubate and hatch a clutch of eggs. When a hen goes broody, she may sit on the nest for extended periods, refusing to leave, and even pluck feathers from her breast to keep the eggs warm. Broodiness can be advantageous if you want to hatch chicks naturally without an incubator. Blue Laced Wyandotte hens can be good mothers, diligently caring for their chicks once they hatch. However, it’s important to note that when a hen is broody, she will not lay eggs during that time, so it can temporarily reduce egg production.

To optimize egg production and manage broodiness in Blue Laced Wyandotte hens:

Collect Eggs Promptly: Collect eggs from the nest boxes regularly to discourage broodiness and ensure the eggs are for consumption.
Provide Adequate Nesting Boxes: Proper nesting boxes with comfortable bedding can encourage hens to lay eggs in a designated area, reducing the chances of them going broody in inconvenient locations.
Consider the Season: Broodiness tends to be more common in the spring and early summer when hens are naturally inclined to raise chicks. Be prepared for the possibility of broodiness during these months.
Manage Broody Hens: If you don’t want your Blue Laced Wyandotte hen to go broody, you can try to break her broodiness by temporarily removing her from the nest and providing a less comfortable environment for sitting. However, this may not always be successful, as broodiness can be a strong instinct.

Blue-laced Wyandotte hens are valued more for their ornamental and friendly qualities than for their egg production, but they can still provide a modest supply of eggs while occasionally exhibiting broodiness. Their broodiness can be an asset if you’re interested in hatching chicks.

The Bottom Line

Blue-laced Wyandotte chickens are a stunning and unique breed that can be a wonderful addition to any backyard flock. With their beautiful blue-laced plumage, friendly demeanor, and excellent egg production, they offer both beauty and utility.

Originally developed in the late 1800s in the United States, these chickens have a rich history and have become increasingly popular among poultry enthusiasts. Their striking appearance immediately catches the eye, making them stand out among other breeds.

Not only are Blue-Laced Wyandottes visually appealing, but they also boast impressive size and weight characteristics. They typically reach medium-sized proportions with strong legs that support their sturdy bodies.

Regarding behavior and temperament, Blue Laced Wyandottes are known for being docile and easy-going. They get along well with other chicken breeds and humans, making them ideal for families or those who enjoy interacting with their feathered friends.

In terms of uses and purpose, Blue Laced Wyandotte hens excel in egg production. While not one of the top layers in terms of quantity alone,
their eggs make up for it in quality – large brown eggs with excellent flavor.