Golden Laced Wyandotte: Breed, Eggs, Profile, & More

Golden Laced Wyandotte: Quick Profile Review

Golden Laced Wyandotte Egg Production

Best at laying eggs, Golden Laced Wyandotte’s give you about 180-260 eggs every year. Their eggs are usually a light or dark brown color. These chickens love to search for their own food outside and do really well when they can roam freely. 

One of the best things about Golden Laced Wyandotte’s is their adaptability. They’re pretty happy and healthy when they have space to roam and forage for food, which is their natural behavior. 

Generally, they begin laying eggs by the time when they’re at the age of about 18 to 20 weeks. They’re really sharp at being moms if you’re thinking about breeding, but they don’t get overly broody. So, you may have to give these mother hens a bit of help and keep an incubator ready just in case.

Gold Laced Wyandotte Facts

• Gold Laced Wyandotte are excellent mothers, caring for their chicks very well.
• They lay around 200 large brown eggs every year.
• Gold Laced Wyandotte mostly sit on eggs to hatch them.
• They’re calm and kid-friendly, but they don’t like to be held or cuddled.
• With their full feathering and strong body, the hens are efficient egg layers.

Golden Laced Wyandotte Rooster Appearance

The Golden Laced Wyandotte is considered a big chicken breed, and their thick, fluffy feathers make them look even larger. Their feathers are not only fluffy but also serve as excellent insulation, which helps them stay warm in colder climates. 

In addition, the golden and black lacing pattern on their feathers is their signature trait that makes them easily recognizable. 

Hens weigh about 6.5 pounds, and roosters are about 8 pounds. They have a strong, rounded body shape with thin legs. Basically, they’re well-built chickens with a broder breast look.

The Golden Laced Wyandotte is a special chicken breed type that has a unique rose-shaped comb (source).  

Their slim legs, while appearing unique, are actually quite strong, supporting their strong bodies whether they’re foraging around the yard or roosting. 

Gold Laced Wyandotte Chicken Space Needs

Golden Laced Wyandotte chickens are quite easygoing when you put them in a coop, but they do need their daily time outside to walk around and find food. As they are big breed chicken due to their body shape, they need enough space. 

They have the ability to fly, yet they usually choose not to, which makes looking after them simpler since you don’t have to worry much about them escaping.

If you don’t have a wider space, I would suggest you to consider Bantam versions of these chickens. Bantam hens are smaller, weighing about 24-26 ounces, and the roosters can get up to 30 ounces. 

Another small breed to think about is the Pekin bantam. They’re just as charming but don’t need as much room. I really like them; it’s fun to see their beautiful feathers fluttering in the wind. They’re definitely worth considering if you like chickens but don’t have a lot of space.

Gold Laced Wyandotte Chickens Temperament And Characteristics

Wyandotte chickens are pretty friendly, but they’re not the type to become super close friends. They’re calm and even-tempered, and while they don’t mind being around humans, they’re not the kind to seek out cuddles or sit in your lap. 

They’re just a little more independent compared to some other chickens that could love lap time.

In other words, the Golden Laced Wyandotte is pretty laid-back, mostly because they’re confident and don’t get upset easily. 

They’re a decent choice for kids because they’re easy to take care of and usually not aggressive. However, if a little kid bothers them too much, even these chickens might get annoyed and show it.

Besides being perfect egg layers, Golden Laced Wyandotte’s have a reputation for being excellent mothers. They often go broody and are willing to hatch and raise chicks, even if the eggs aren’t their own. 

They’re quite independent and can find their own food if they’re allowed to free-range, which can help reduce the cost of feeding them.

Gold Laced Wyandotte Behavior with Other Breeds

Golden Wyandotte chickens can live peacefully with other chicken breeds, but they tend to stick to their own group. They like being with other Wyandottes more than hanging out with different breeds or people, often sticking close together and seeming to chat among themselves. 

You should have get a pair of two Wyandotte’s because they’re happier with their own kind around them in the coop.

They’re also pretty tough and won’t be easily bullied. If another chicken tries to challenge them for the top spot in the coop, the Wyandotte won’t back down. They’ll stand their ground and often end up in charge.

Gold Laced Wyandotte In Colder and Warmer Climate Conditions

Golden Laced Wyandotte’s can handle hot weather, but they won’t be too happy about it. Their thick feathers make them get hot quickly in warm climates. However, like all chickens, having plenty of fresh water and some shade can help them stay comfortable when it’s hot. Chickens are tough creatures and can deal with a lot.

This breed is really great for cold places. Their thick feathers are like a winter coat, which means they can keep laying eggs through the winter, as long as they get enough daylight, around 10 to 12 hours.

Furthermore, they also have a special rose-shaped comb on their heads that’s wide and flat, making it less likely to get frostbite, a great option for cold weather.

Gold Laced Wyandotte History

The Golden Laced Wyandotte chicken was bred in the United States by a group of poultry team who wanted to produce a dual-purpose breed, ideal for both egg-laying and meat. 

Named after the Wyandotte tribe, this breed’s exact genetic makeup is unknown, but it likely includes contributions from the Dark Brahma and Silver Spangled Hamburg (source). 

The Golden Laced variety was specifically produced by Joseph McKeen in Wisconsin, who crossed Silver Laced Wyandottes with a Winnebago breed, getting success in 1888 when it was recognized by the American Poultry Association. 

Now, this Gold Laced Wyandotte breed stands out for its stunning gold and black laced feathers.

Gold Laced Wyandotte Rooster Vs Hen

Gold Laced Wyandotte chickens, both rooster and hen, have smooth feathers that aren’t too puffy. Their feathers are usually a shiny white or gold color with sharp black outlines. As male chickens (roosters) get older, their neck and back feathers get longer and pointy. They also end up with longer tail feathers compared to the female chickens (hens).

Another difference that you can find is that Gold Laced Wyandotte roosters have bigger and redder head parts (combs and wattles) you can see by the time they’re about 8 weeks old. They also have thicker legs and a more solid body shape.

On the contrary, Gold Laced Wyandotte hens have shorter and slimmer legs and their feathers, especially around their neck and back end, are more rounded.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The Gold Laced Wyandotte is a prominent breed with its smooth gold and black feathers, which make it not only a beautiful addition to any flock but also a hardy and productive one. They could survive in various climates, especially cooler ones. 

Moreover, they are known for their independence, requiring less care as compared to other breeds. Due to their super egg-laying capabilities and excellent mothering traits, I’d recommend this chicken for both experienced and new poultry keepers.