Wyandottes were originally known and described as the "American Sebright" or "Sebright Cochin". The name"Sebright" is in reference to the type of large silver-laced fowl that were used and not the bantam Sebright we know today. Records are vague in some areas but there are statements concerning an imported fowl with similar lacing that was assumed to have died out in Europe due to it's unpopularity. Yet in 1880 European notes were made concerning these fowl.
Many believe that these large Sebrights had a background of Polish and Hamburg. In tracing back to the history of some of the fowl that were available, some will refer to a breed called the Chittagong, which appeared to have had Malay, Cochin, as well as the Dorking in it's background. The plumage of the Chittagong appeared usually penciled or spangled in type. Some of the earlier writers claim Brahma blood was used in the creation of the Chittagong. Even looking upon Wyandottes of today, one may note the appearance of the Asiatic skull and the pleasing inelegant look that so many Asiatic breeds have.
All will agree though that the Asiatic races of Brahma and Cochin will be used in refining what came to be known as the "Wyandotte". You will also find that it was the Americans that had the persistence and diligence in creating the Wyandottes, setting the "type" and "standards" for breeding and exhibition. European breeders will work within the lines they receive from the Americans, and we will see varieties developed by the English breeders that are not admitted into the American Standard. Importations into Europe did not happen until the late 1800’s with the first exhibition in Staffordshire in 1884 in what they called the "table class". In 1894, a group of Silver-Laced pullets were entered and competed against Dorkings, Surreys and Game in the class and won. This gave them great notoriety with the English.
Many of our American breeds derive their names from the geographical locations from which either the breeders resided or where there were substantial flocks being worked with. The Wyandotte name has a different historical background. The Wyandottes were named after a North American Indian tribe, the "WYANDOTS" that fled from Canada and dispersed throughout the Ohio Valley and into Oklahoma. The closest translation of Wyandotte is "islander" or "dweller" on a peninsula." If you take a look, the logo for the Wyandotte Bantam Club of America you will notice the Indian tepee in the background. In looking at the history of the making of this American breed you will also find several states were involved. Some lines will even be referred to as the East and West Wyandotte due to their unique breeding.
The Silver-Laced Wyandotte is what we would consider as the "Parent" variety of all the Wyandottes. Having originated in New York and admitted to the Standard in 1883. It's creation can be accredited to four gentlemen, a collaboration between Boston, Michigan, and New York breeders. They were able to finally agree upon what should be presented as correct "type" requirements for the Wyandotte. In early judging here and in Europe many fowl were first considered as a dual-purpose fowl with marks in egg production and meat quality. Wyandottes produce a brown-shelled egg, though egg color will vary depending upon the strain of fowl. They have yellow skinned meat in which the Europeans found exceptionally flavored and juicy. This quality would make them favorable in the English market against the valued white skinned fowl.
The White Wyandotte and Black Wyandotte are considered "true " Wyandottes. Originating from breeding as "sports", Whites produced from the Silver-Laced and Blacks from both the Silver-Laced and Golden-Laced varieties. White Wyandottes are probably the second in popular variety today with the Silver-Laced still being the first choice in this breed. Yet at one time it was the Whites that held the standing not only in show but also in the poultry yard. Only the truest white strains were desired in the breeding pens. One should also note that the Whites were considered the best layers of all the Wyandotte varieties. The Blacks found great favor in Europe and today we see active clubs in Holland, Germany and England. Blacks were admitted to the American Standard in 1893 with early-recorded breeding originating in Ohio around 1885. White Wyandottes Bantams are one of the favored varieties for the Australian breeders. The Australian breeders established their first clubs in 1915.
Both the Golden-Laced and Whites were admitted into the Standard in 1888. The Golden-Laced Wyandotte originated in Wisconsin with crossing of Silver-Laced Wyandotte females with a large "Black Red" patterned fowl called the "Winnebago", which is another name in reference to the tribes of American Indians from the Wisconsin area. There is reference that the Leghorn was also involved. They were admitted into the American Standard in 1888 showing equality to the parent variety the Silver-Laced. While in England the Golden-Laced variety suffered for it was suspected that some were breeding Indian Game into their lines. Evidence could be seen of these crossings in the English fowl by double lacing and influenced combs. It is stated that the crosses were done to enrich the ground color that was being lost in some lines. Even today you may notice that certain varieties are lighter in shading than the American varieties.
The Golden-Laced is the same pattern as the Silver-Laced. The Silver-Laced are defined by a black and white color pattern with white oval shaped feathers laced with black. Golden oval shaped feathers laced in black are required for the Golden-Laced. A clear difference in sharpness and width distinguishing it from the typical "Sebright "pattern. Feather texture in Wyandottes is important but in Whites it is of a higher consideration than in any of the other varieties.
Two breeders, one from Iowa and one from Wisconsin developed the unique Partridge Wyandotte. They crossed Indian Game, Golden-Laced Wyandotte, Partridge Cochin, and the "Winnebago". These birds became known as the "Western Strain." While in New York, crosses were being done with Golden-Laced Wyandotte, Partridge Cochin and Golden Penciled Hamburgs. This line of fowl would become known as the "Eastern Strain". The name originally given was "Golden Penciled Wyandottes". After the blending of these two strains the name was changed to "Partridge Wyandotte" and in 1901 they were admitted to the Standard.
The Silver Penciled variety originated in New York but was bred to perfection by an English breeder in Europe after having received two trios in 1901. The Silver Penciled variety was admitted to the Standard in 1902.
The Columbian variety has an interesting history. Referred to as a "mishap", they were the result of an accidental breeding between White Wyandotte males and Barred Plymouth Rock females. The White Wyandotte males had been sold and non-selective breeding had been allowed. When the original breeder saw the accidental results he bought the pullets and began to work with them. The results were favorable and the pullets of that crossing were then taken back and bred to a White Wyandotte male. The name given is in honor of the Columbian Exposition and World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893. Remarkable in appearance to the Light Brahma pattern yet no Brahma crosses were used. The Columbian variety was admitted to the Standard in 1905.
The most recent addition to the Standard is the Blue Wyandotte variety, which was admitted in 1977. Blue is that of the Blue Andalusian, which is bluish slate with each feather having a sharply defined lacing in black. Both varieties of Blue-Laced and Buff-Laced will be accredited to an American Breeder. In 1886 it is believed that an American breeder by the name of Keller, began working on the Blue variety by crossing Golden-Laced and White Wyandottes. Some of these crossings produced a percentage of fowl with lacing of a violet blue in color. The violet blue laced appeared to produce a percentage of prodigy with white lacing. The Buff-Laced, though not admitted into the Standard were first shown in New York in 1895. Some of these fowl were sent over to England in 1897 where they were continually worked upon, creating the Buff-Laced variety.
The Buff Wyandotte was admitted to the American Standard in 1893. In America it appears as several strains were developed by different crossings of varieties of Wyandottes, Silver-Laced and Golden-Laced along with Rhode Island Reds and Buff Cochins. In England the Silver variety and Buff Cochin was primarily used to produce Buff Wyandottes. Exhibits of American bred Buff Wyandottes were exhibited in Liverpool in 1893.
As you can see the making of the Wyandotte was not inhibited by geographical location. The breed was created and improved upon on two continents without lacking enthusiasm amongst breeders. In the effort to create another fine dual -purpose fowl, the breeders created a fowl that would exhibit some of the finest feather qualities, drawing attention to the feather's unique shape. The Wyandotte would find it referred to as the bird of "Curves". The Wyandotte is another American breed to be admired.
References
The American Standard of Perfection
SPPA
The American Wyandotte Bantam Cub