CHAPTER XIII 



SILVER LACED WYANDOTTES 



The Silver was the original Wyandotte — Its early origin is unrecorded 

 — Brahma and Hamburg blood entered into its makeup — The lirst 

 Wyandotte boom — English breeders improve the lacing — Infusion of 

 English blood in American flocks — How to mate Silver Wyandottes 



The Wyandotte, of which the Silver was the oirginal fowl, is a 

 strictly American production and reflects great credit on the American 

 breeder. The word "Wyandotte" has been supposed to have been 

 adapted from "Wyandot." the name of a tribe of North American 

 Indians; but the late Fred A. Houdlette, who suggested the name 

 of Wyandotte for this new American breed, has stated that the word 

 suggested itself to his mind because of his familiarity with a coasting 

 vessel which had been christened Wyandotte and which had belonged 

 to his father. 



Naming the new breed. The breed was originally known by 

 various names, such as Sebright Cochins, Mooneys, Hambletonians, 

 Eurekas, Excelsiors, Columbias, Ambrights, American Sebrights. and 

 recognition was asked for it as the American Sebright in 1877, but 

 the breed was not admitted to the Standard until 1883, when it went 

 in as the Wyandotte. 



Before the meeting of the American Poultry Association in Worces- 

 ter, Massachusetts, in 1883, there were no "Wyandottes." , Since 

 the early seventies there had been breeders in different parts of the 

 country working on a laced fowl that would prove to be as popular 

 as the Plymouth Rock. Some of the birds had single combs like 

 the Rock, while others had scantil}' feathered shanks which was 

 evidence of their Asiatic parentage. It was L. H. Whittaker of 

 North Adams, Michigan, who developed definite ideals for the breed. 

 He purchased birds that came as near his ideal as possible; he bred 

 consistently to that ideal; and in 1883 the breed had progressed to a 

 point where its distinctiveness, as marked by its rose comb, laced 

 plumage, clean shanks and substantial size, won for it recognition 

 as a Standardbred from the American Poultry Association. 



In recognizing the fowl, all the old names were rejected, even 

 "Sebright," which in those days was the one word that was synony- 

 mous with lacing, for the Sebright Bantam as originated by Sir John 

 Sebright was the fancier's true exemplification of lacing. A new 

 name was given to the new breed, but the name selected met with 

 general dissatisfaction all over the country. In commenting on the 

 new Standard of 1883, C. J. Ward, then edior of American Poultry 

 Journal, said; "Some new breeds were admitted. American Sebrights 



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