222 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
and again in 1890 received as a present from T. K. Ryder, Esq., of Rooty Hill, a pair of splendid 
hens — these were bred from a trio imported by that gentleman from America. From these two strains I 
bred a long list of winners, and laid the foundation of my present strain. They were given an excellent 
character as an all round general purpose fowl, and from my experience gained with them they fully upheld 
their claim. For some years the breed did not make much headway, owing to the Plymouth Rock, 
Langshan, and Orpington boom, which was then at its height, but they have gradully forced their way to the 
van by sheer force of merit, until now, at the time of writing, there is not a more popular utility breed of Poultry 
in Australia. The Golden-laced variety did not make their appearance in N.S.W. until 1889 or 1890, and 
the Whites in 1893. The Golden became popular from the first, and for the past four years they have been 
in great demand. As a general purpose Fowl the Wyandotte is an easy first, as an egg-producer the hens 
have no equal amongst the sitting varieties, early hatched pullets will continue laying right through the 
winter months. The chickens, up to the age of three months, are the quickest growers of any breed I have 
handled ; the chicks are very hardy, and it is rare to see a sick Wyandotte chicken, and a treat to watch them 
foraging around in the orchard, discovering and consuming many of the insect pests which trouble the fruit- 
grower. I have found the hens such careful and reliable sitters and mothers, that I discard all other hens 
for this purpose, relying entirely on the Wyandottes. One fault I find with them is their determination to 
lay so quickly after hatching. I have had the hens laying two weeks after hatching their broods. They are 
specially adapted as a Farmer's Fowl, especially for the warmer parts of the colonies. They stand excessive 
heat much better than any other breed I know of, and I am sure there is a splendid future in front of the 
breed when they become better known. I have already stocked several farms with them, and all speak well 
of their great merits. For crossing, they " nick " well with any breed, but the best crosses are with a 
Dorking or Malay Cock, using the Wyandotte hens. I have also crossed them with Rocks, Brahmas, and 
Red Caps, the latter cross giving a capital layer, and the best of Table Fowls, possessing the delicate flavour 
of the Red Cap's flesh, while they gain increased size from the Wyandottes. I can strongly recommend 
this cross to those who require a good layer and a high-class table bird combined in the one fowl. 
" Wyandottes, are, in my opinion, the most handsome breed we have, although I suppose some of our 
Game Fanciers will not agree with me on this head. They are, however, most difficult to breed to standard 
markings, it is only once in a while we see a really good specimen, even at our largest shows, spangled 
breasts, sooty hackles, Hamburg combs, white in lobes and tail being very much in evidence. There is 
much room for improvement in the judging of this breed and the sooner efficient judges are appointed, the 
more satisfactory it will be for Wyandotte breeders. The main feature in the Silver and Gold is the beauti- 
ful lacing found in good specimens — but how rarely one meets with a well-laced bird. If they are good in 
breast lacing the)- usually run mossy and indistinct on back and cushion. Lately, many breeders are showing 
birds with the white centres to the feathers far too large, in fact as fine in the lacing as the Sebright Bantam, 
and so long as this fine lacing is fostered, the natural outcome is mossy backs, bad breasts, and light fluff. 
The American Standard states medium white centres, the lacing around each feather to be clear and distinct, 
and as the Wyandotte is solely an American production we should be guided to a great extent by their 
Standard of perfection, drawn up by those who should and ought to know the Wyandotte." 
The following remarks are also added on this utility breed by Mr. L. L. Ramsay, Lyons Road 
Five bock, N.S.W., who states:— 
"I have kept and bred three varieties of the Wyandotte family, viz., Whites, Silver-laced, and Golden- 
laced, and the three have proved that they are right-worthy of a high position amongst our general purpose 
Poultry, being tip-top layers summer and winter, and good table birds. The hens make excellent mothers, 
the chicks are very hardy, easily reared, and mature early. Any of the varieties do well confined in 
small pens, but, of course, do better when they have plenty of range. Recently, the Whites have jumped to 
the front and will ere long be the most popular; Goldens next, then the Silvers. The most difficult point 
to attain in breeding Laced ^\'yandottes is to obtain the correct markings with fair size of frame and 
good shape; many of the birds exhibited at our large shows are very small, and unless some enterprising 
breeder imports a new strain, the varieties will degenerate to Bantam size." 
