Like most other animals, some breeds of chicken are better suited to certain climates.
Some breeds thrive in cold climates, while others fare better in hot weather.
So, are Wyandotte chickens heat tolerant?
Key Takeaway:
Compared to other chicken breeds, Wyandotte chickens aren’t very heat tolerant and shouldn’t be exposed to 100° degrees Fahrenheit (38° C) weather for long. While they can withstand a summer day with plenty of shade and cool water, they don’t do as well in hot weather.
The hardy breed needs more support as temperatures climb.
If you’re worried about your flock of chickens in the heat, don’t worry!
Keep reading, and we’ll cover everything you need to know about these backyard chicken breeds.
Can Wyandottes Handle Heat?
Wyandotte chicken varieties aren’t considered very heat-hardy.
They aren’t as built to handle hotter climates as well as some other backyard breeds.
Still, these amazing birds don’t have to avoid the heat entirely.
If you live in a climate with warm summers, they aren’t necessarily in danger on a hot day.
Yet, a backyard chicken flock of Wyandottes is more prone to heat exhaustion than more heat-tolerant breeds.
How to Handle the Heat
If it’s hot out, there are a few things to help your Wyandottes stay comfortable.
First, make sure they have plenty of cold water.
Like you, they need to stay extra hydrated when it’s hot out and might find themselves especially thirsty.
Second, make sure to provide plenty of shade.
Even if it’s just a few degrees cooler, the abundant shade will give your birds space to take a break from the heat of direct sunlight.
Finally, you’ll want to ensure the chicken coop is properly ventilated.
Like a garage or shed, a chicken coop will heat up quickly if left unchecked or without ventilation.
To keep your Wyandottes cool at night, make sure their coop stays comfortable too!
Adding a fan can go a long way towards your birds’ comfort as well.
Heat Tolerant Chicken Breeds
Even if Wyandotte chickens aren’t particularly heat tolerant, some breeds are.
Backyard chicken keepers in hot climates or climates with hot summers may want to consider the following breeds:
- Andalusian
- Appenzeller
- Brahmas
- Campines
- Fayoumi
- Leghorn
- Minorca
- New Hampshire Red
- Orpington
- Penedesenca
- Plymouth Rock
- Rhode Island Red
- Sumatra
- Welsummer
While not a recognized pure breed, Easter Egger chickens also tend to favor warm climates.
Are Wyandotte Chickens Cold Tolerant?
On the other end of the spectrum is cold-hardiness.
This refers to how well your birds can handle colder temperatures and climates.
Wyandottes do well in colder climates and throughout cold winters.
This heavy breed is helped through the winter by its thick layer of feathers.
Their prominent combs also work well to toss away snow.
These birds are one of the few breeds that continue to lay eggs as the temperature drops for the winter.
Still, there are a few extra measures to make these dipping degrees even more comfortable for your birds.
Preparing for the Cold
To prepare for winter, start in your chicken coop.
Just like in the summer, backyard chicken keepers will want to make sure the place for their birds to rest is as comfortable for them as possible.
Don’t close up ventilation but make sure to patch any holes or damage the coop incurred over the summer.
It’s also helpful to relay the bedding in your chicken coop.
A new, thick layer of bedding can help keep the chill of brutal winters at bay.
Make sure to keep this bedding clean through the winter!
You’ll also want to pay extra attention to your flock’s water in winter.
It’s easy to freeze, which can block access to water for the birds.
While Wyandottes are hardy in the winter, they’re still prone to frostbite if you don’t keep a careful eye.
Some chicken keepers recommend using a little petroleum jelly on unfeathered parts of your bird like the wattle and rose comb.
This helps to keep frostbite at bay.
Switching to a higher protein diet will help keep their body weight up and the eggs coming.
Further Reading: What to feed Wyandotte chickens
What Are Wyandotte Chickens Used For?
Wyandottes are big, “dual-purpose” birds.
This means they’re used both as meat birds and for eggs.
As a big-bodied bird laying about four eggs per week, it’s easy to see how the Wyandotte chicken got this reputation.
However, these aren’t the only reasons someone might keep this hardy bird around.
Their docile nature makes them great pets as well.
These beautiful birds are often praised for their appearances as well.
They’re popular among chicken keepers looking for show birds and backyard chicken owners.
Are Wyandotte Chickens Good for Beginners?
In general, Wyandotte chickens are great for beginners for several reasons.
While they require extra attention on warmer days, they’re largely easy to care for without any huge dietary or day-to-day restrictions specific to their breed.
On top of this, the breed is known for its largely docile demeanor.
Of course, this can vary from one individual chicken to another, but for the most part, they have an even temperament.
As a quiet breed, these chickens are easy to keep as part of a backyard flock in the suburbs or a city.
In addition, this makes them great around kids.
Further Reading: Wyandotte chickens and noise: How to keep them quiet
Do Wyandottes Get Along with Other Breeds?
They get along well with other breeds quite a bit as well.
This means it’s possible to keep them as part of a mixed flock and part of a flock full of just Wyandottes.
While a gentle breed, it’s worth noting these chickens aren’t doormats either.
If another member of the flock tries to challenge them – Wyandotte or another breed – they usually aren’t afraid to secure their place in the hierarchy of the flock.
Again, this is something variable between particular birds as each one will exhibit its personality with distinct differences.
Some may have a different demeanor from most just by their unique traits.
