42 POULTRY BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



Eock, and of a more blocky build. Its blocky shape and 

 comparatively early maturity make it a good broiler breed. 

 The originators, therefore, had a valid excuse for giving it 

 to the world as a new breed. An objection may be urged 

 against the "Wyandotte that its type is not very firmly fixed. 

 Wyandottes are frequently found of the type of Plymouth 

 Rock or Rhode Island Red rather than of the blocky, com- 

 pact build. While they are fully the equal of the Plymouth 



Rocks in egg produc- 

 tion, their eggs average 

 smaller in size. These 

 are points that the 

 breeders may rectify. 

 If it should develop that 

 high egg production is 

 found in fowls of the 

 long body or rangy 

 type, then the Wyan- 

 dotte would have little 

 excuse for existence as 

 a general-purpose util- 

 ity fowl. However, it 

 has not been proved that 

 a long body is a sure in- 

 WHITE WYANDOTTE HEN dication of good laying 



(Courtesy of A. G. Duston, Massachusetts.) 



qualities. 



As to origin, the Wyandotte came by accident rather than 

 by design. If some authorities are right, a Sebright Ban- 

 tam and a Cochin hen were mated together to produce an 

 improved Cochin Bantam. Silver Spangled Hamburg blood 

 was added ; then another cross and a half-bred Cochin hen 

 was used. The breed was given the name of the American 

 Sebrights, later the Wyandottes. The first Wyandottes 

 were produced in the 70 's. 



