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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



For general purposes the Wyandottes have proven a success, being of 

 medium size, weighing on an average a pound less than the Plymouth 

 Rocks, hardy of constitution and prolific layers. They are easily cared 

 for and bear confinement well. For table purposes they are of superior 

 worth: their flesh is sweet, juicy and tender, making excellent broilers 



Fig. 5. —Silver-laced Wyandotte pullet. 



and roasters. As layers they are among the best, averaging from twelve 

 to fourteen dozens a year, and as winter layers they do well under ordi- 

 nary circumstances. 



There are five varieties of the Wyandotte breed, and it is only a mat- 

 ter of opinion as regards a choice of the best. The general character- 

 istics are the same in all, the difference in color of plumage being the 

 only distinguishing mark. The Silver-laced Wyandotte is of a silvery- 

 white plumage, with regularly marked white lacing on breast and a gen- 

 erous distribution of white and black throughout the entire body. The 

 cock has a silver-white head, rose comb, silver hackle, with a black 

 stripe down the center of each feather, as shown in fig. 4; silvery white 

 back; saddle same as hackle; breast black, with white center (see fig. 

 4); tail black; wings half black and half white, or rather, black edged 

 with white; when wing is folded there should be a well defined bar 

 across the wing; shanks and toes rich yellow, free from feathering. The 

 hen of the Silver-laced variety (fig. 5) is marked similarly to the male, 

 excepting the back and wing, which are whiter in male than in female. 

 The breast of the female is of much importance in breeding good birds; 

 the lacing should be large and distinct, and the white centers of each 

 feather free from black or brown penciling. 



The Golden Wyandotte is marked like the Silver, excepting that the 

 color is golden-bay and black instead of white and black. The White 



