Wyandotte
Dual purposeUnited StatesBeginner friendly
Round, sturdy, and dressed in some of the most beautiful laced plumage in poultry, the Wyandotte was built for the American North — its low rose comb barely notices frost. Silver Laced and Gold Laced hens are dependable winter layers with a self-assured, slightly aloof charm.
Eggs per year
180–240
Egg color
Brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6–7 lbs
Temperament
Calm and confident
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
The breed is named for the Wendat (Wyandot) people of the Great Lakes region, and the Silver Laced Wyandotte was its original variety, recognized in 1883.
Wyandotte egg production
Expect roughly 180–240 brown eggs a year from a Wyandotte in her prime — about 3–5 a week, or 15–20 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Wyandotte is generally described as calm and confident. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Wyandotte rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It can struggle in extreme heat, so prioritise deep shade, ventilation, and cool water through the hottest part of summer.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Wyandottehen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Wyandotte hen is a large bird at 6–7 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Wyandotte right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- You're in an extreme-heat climate
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Wyandotte FAQ
- How many eggs do Wyandotte chickens lay?
- A healthy Wyandotte hen lays about 180–240 brown eggs a year — roughly 3–5 a week, or 15–20 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Wyandottes lay?
- Wyandottes lay brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do Wyandotte chickens get?
- A Wyandotte hen weighs roughly 6–7 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Wyandottes cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Wyandotte is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Wyandottes good for beginners?
- Yes. The Wyandotte is a forgiving, calm and confident breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Wyandotte hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Wyandotte hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
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