When people think about common household pets, they think about dogs, cats and maybe rabbits or fish. Rarely does the idea of having chickens pop into their heads. However, first-year Addison Kleinle and her family have six chickens, with Basil the chicken being her personal favorite.  

Basil is a four-year-old Silver Laced Wyandotte chicken. The Wyandotte breed was created as a more well-rounded chicken breed—one that would be strongly suited for egg production and potential table fare. The breed was founded in 1873 in Wisconsin after the Civil War by four settlers in that area. Wyandotte chickens have a distinct pattern of brown and black feathers with a golden “lace” on the feathers.  

Kleinle has a strong connection to Basil because she had the opportunity to pick her out of the other chicks for sale when Basil was a baby. Her unique pattern and personality definitely also played a part in their strong connection. 

“Basil is my favorite and she’s got the best and worst personality,” Kleinle said. “She’s a gorgeous chicken and her pattern is really pretty, she just attacks anyone that goes out to the coop.” 

This isn’t uncommon amongst Wyandotte chickens. While most are considered calm and docile, their personality is more to tolerate humans than be loving towards them. Wyandottes like to be assertive and stay towards the top of the coop or house.  

The Kleinle family is planning to expand from the six chickens they currently have this upcoming hatching season. “We are expanding the flock to 15 this season after we lost quite a few last year,” Kleinle said.  

Along with the coop of chickens, the family also has two dogs: a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and a Redbone Coonhound named Cody and Moxie, as well as two hives of bees. They produce honey during the pollination period. 

Since the creation of the Wyandotte chicken, there have been nine variations created, with the most recent being the Blue Wyandotte in 1977. However, the Silver Laced remains the most common and popular.  

Being the chicken on the property with the most personality, Kleinle can always tell where Basil is. “She is always yelling and will only go back to the coop if you have treats,” Kleinle said.  

So, the next time you see a chicken with feathers patterned like lace that has a loud and assertive personality, who knows, maybe it is one of Basil’s siblings or relatives.