Pros: Hardy, beautiful, good layers of terra cotta eggs, not flighy or nevous, gentle temperment
Cons: combs and wattles
Welsummers are one of my favorite breeds. All of mine are breeder/exhibition stock. No hatcheries. Dual purpose birds, excellent layers of terra cotta eggs, gentle disposition and temperment, beautiful plumage. Very hardy in winter despite of the roosters' wattles and combs being frostbitten but glad breeders are working on them to get them smaller, less chances of getting frostbitten. Tolerates summer heat well with high humidity when extra care is noted. Non broody breed but rare cases, they would brood and successfully raise chicks or will set eggs but will NOT raise chicks.
My Welsummers are very excellent layers, laying from end of January/beginning of Feb, all the way thru October before they molt. Fertility on these birds are pretty high, ranging from 95 to 100 percent in three batches of eggs to be incubated. Shipped eggs are a bit low but neverthanless, it is a risk that we all take. I've had successful hatches when the USPS are not playing football with them.
Would I recommend Welsummers to a beginner? I definately would!
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