The history of Silver Laced Wyandottes in the UK

And why it’s vital we keep them going... says Grant Brereton

- Grant Brereton

Steve Dace’s recent extraordinary retirement sale of top quality pure breed poultry, got me thinking all about Laced Wyandottes, and the Silver variety in particular, which has a rich history in the UK.

There is little doubting the sheer beauty of Silver Laced poultry. The sight of black-and-white patterned fowl - where the feathers are predominantly white, and each one surrounded with black edging are nothing short of breathtaking! There are three main breeds to display this type of feather plumage, which include: the Poland, the Sebright, and the Wyandotte. The earliest of the three breeds to have the Silver Laced plumage is agreed upon by historic poultry writers to be the Poland (called ‘Polish’ by some), but they were likely elementary in distinction of markings compared to the striking and imposing Sebrights.

The Silver Laced Wyandotte is the original variety of Wyandotte and was given its name by a Mr Fred Houdlette, of Massachusetts. They were said to be named after a native American tribe. The breed and variety was admitted into the American Standard of Perfection in 1883 and painstakingly created by a handful of breeders, each with a similar goal in mind. In its ancestry is a good cross-section of breeds, to include: Spangled Hamburghs, Dark Brahmas, Polands, and Sebright crosses to name but a few.