Frequently Asked Questions
- Q- We are just starting out in poultry and wanted to ask why choose Wyandottes?
- A- For starters Wyandottes are AMERICAN!! Heritage and preservation are other reasons. Many of the accepted varieties of Wyandottes are all but extinct. Some varieties are down to less than fifty to a hundred breeding pairs. Wyandottes are a fantastically hardy dual purpose bird that winter well in the coldest of climates as well as being gentle and non-flighty. Assortment is another plus. Wyandottes come in nine A.P.A. accepted varieties as well as a few other varieties.
- Q- Do you sell hatching eggs?
A- No! Shipping eggs usually results in limited to poor hatchability. Our birds are just too rare and are eggs too limited in numbers to risk poor hatches in shipped eggs.
- Q- Which variety of your Wyandottes is truest to the A.P.A. type?
A- Definitely our whites, followed closely by our silver laced. We recommend anyone wanting to improve a variety of large fowl Wyandotte to obtain at least one white chick from us with their order and use the white as a template or reference bird for the other varieties.
- Q- Can I expect to get a show winning bird or even the quality of those pictured on your website when I order chicks from Paul's Poultry?
A- It is possible but we have always maintained that raising chicks is much like a pack of baseball cards. Not every pack will have a Babe Ruth or a Mickey Mantle in it. We do however claim that what we will send you is a perfect tool kit for producing that top bird though superior genetics and breeding. Unlike other breeders that we know we do not have a seperate pen with lesser quality breeders that we use for orders. You get exactly what we get.Please keep in mind that we raise hundreds of chicks each year to produce the top few breeders.
- Q- How is "Wyandotte" pronounced?
A-It is easier than it looks. It is simply pronounced Why -an- dot
- Q- We are new to poultry, and are wondering what is the temperament of large fowl Wyandottes?
A- Many people that are starting out in poultry chose bantams only to find out that the roosters are very aggressive. The American large fowl Wyandotte are very docile birds with great temperament. We also prefer the large fowl as we find that they are more useful as a dual purpose bird rather than just a pet.
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- Q- Which variety of Wyandotte is most likely to do well at shows?
A- The solid color birds, especially the whites are many times more likely to win that any patterned bird.
- Q- We recieved a single combed Wyandotte in a shipment from you. Can you tell me if they are any good for breeding or showing?
A- Single combs show up in all Wyandotte lines and can be directly related to fertility. Many Wyandotte breeders will tell you to breed out the single comb is to breed out fertility. We do on occasion use single comb pullets in our breeding pens but advise that if at all possible avoid using a single comb male as he will quickly bring up the ratio of single comb offspring. We have found that a good ratio is 10% to 15% single comb offspring is an acceptable amount. A single comb is a disqualification in the show pen.
- Q- Which variety of Wyandotte is the rarest and need preserving most?
A- Unfortunately almost all varieties of large fowl/standard Wyandottes have become rare. Although many commercial hatcheries claim to carry Wyandottes, most of them are back yard poultry and do not measure up to the A.P.A. standard. The rarest in order are silver penciled, partridge, buff, blue, Columbian followed closely by all the other varieties.
- Q- Do you recommend medicated chick feed for chicks?
A- Yes! We have found that the higher quality show stock needs more help than the average back yard chicken. Young chicks up to the age of 20 weeks are susceptible to coccidiosis. We highly recommend that the chicks receive Amprolium in their feed. Sometimes even the dosage that is included in medicated feed is not enough during an outbreak and more needs to be added. Check the tags closely on feed bags.
- Q- What months do you ship chicks in?
A- We ship chick year-round depending on the hens laying cycle and any impending storms or severe weather in your area.
- Q- What if some or all of our chicks arrive dead?
A- It very rarely happens. Chicks have an internal two to three day food supply from the yolk that they absorb just before they hatch. We almost always send along a few extra chicks just in case of a loss or two. Generally if your loss is only a couple of chicks, we will credit your account.
- Q-How do you ship your chicks?
A- Unlike commercial hatcheries we use the U.S.P.S. Express mail rather than the priority mail service. Most orders arrive from us to you within twenty four hours although at times it can be up to forty eight.
- Q-Can we tour your farm or pick up poultry atyour facility?
A- No! We are sorry but due to security and biosecurity we are unable to allow visitors to tour or pick up chicks at our farm.
- Q-Do you export?
A- Sorry but no. We only ship to the continental United States.
