The Welsummer Thread!!!! - Page 732

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkchick 

Kelly~ He is coming along nicely. He is sadly, but thankfully, the only Wellie chick that survived a bad sweep of Cocci that spread through my 6-12 week old chicks like wild fire recently. I hate Cocci. Everyone who survived are back on their feet doing great now...but I lost several young birds that I was growing out for each of my breeding flocks.

I switched the grow out pen to a pen that does not have a covered run space and I think that was my downfall. Normally they are in the grow out pen (which is now under reconstruction/remodel...hence having to use another coop and run) that has a covered run to keep younger birds out of predatory reach and where wild birds, tree squirrels cannot come in. Tree squirrels are not normally bothersome, nor do they usually visit the coop areas, but they do run and jump from limb to limb, tree to tree above the coop areas and runs.....so you know they must be scatting along their way. No way really to keep them free of wild stuff happening by or upon them.

 

I will try to catch an updated photo of him.

Kim, a couple quick things I learned about Coccidiosis.  And these are things I've learned from my mistakes.  Trust me, in the past, I had one year where I lost a ton of chicks to Cocci. 

First, anytime you bring in chicks/birds from someplace else, you risk bringing in a different strain of Cocci than your birds have.  Ergo, your birds get that strain and the other birds get your strain.

Second, the biggest preventative measure I've found that can be taken is to keep the litter DRY!!  As you well know, that is a task much easier said than done here in the PacNW.  But moist litter is just asking for a full blown Cocci epidemic. 

Third, give the chicks Rooster Booster in their water from the time they are able to drink on their own (a couple days old) until about two months old or so at least.  I'm convinced the vitamins and such help the bird's immune system and fight off the Coccidiosis. 

Lastly, at the FIRST sign of Coccidiosis, treat all the birds with Amprolium in their water.  I recommend this over Sulmet.  One may wish to do a Google search on Sulmet and read the various things said.  Recent evidence seems to suggest that it can be more harmful than successful.  Amprolium is the active ingredient in "Medicated" Chick Starter which, btw, I suggest using from the start.  I've not talked to anyone or seen anything negative about Amprolium and according to Purina, it won't harm the adult birds or show up in the eggs either if ingested.

Hope that helps and God Bless,

I have some outdoor pics of my 2 wellies. Although after reading the above posts and all the experience you guys have I am a little afraid to show them to you!!

This is Sally

And this is Rambo

Quote:

Originally Posted by suebgbr 

I have some outdoor pics of my 2 wellies. Although after reading the above posts and all the experience you guys have I am a little afraid to show them to you!!

 

This is Sally

 

 

 

And this is Rambo

 

its always interesting to see birds from "across the pond".  The roo looks dramatically different that what we breed here.  I know the white fluff is a no-no here.  I find the lighter hackle feathers and the lacing on the chest interesting

Recently  I hatched out 2 pullets and 4 cockerels. I dont want to grow out all of the cockerels so need to choose 2 to keep. How, at 3 weeks of age, do you choose them? 2 have developed much earlier than the rest; should I keep those? Or is it just way too early to really know how they're gonna turn out?

Anyone in Ks, Mo need some cockerels? They are originally from Whitmore Farms, directly from Bethel Farms (Ruth).

Thanks!

hi!  at 16 weeks, I would see saddle feathers right?  I have 2, and the tails on the two look different from each other, but I don't see saddle feathers...?

Quote:

Originally Posted by faykokoWV 

its always interesting to see birds from "across the pond".  The roo looks dramatically different that what we breed here.  I know the white fluff is a no-no here.  I find the lighter hackle feathers and the lacing on the chest interesting

I would not use that rooster at all if you are breeding for quality Welsummers. He has too many faults. His comb should never flop or lean one side, white fluffs, lacing in chest, lack of 80 percent black chest, legs too light, body coloring is not correct, and too narrow in body.

However the hens are a better shape but I see alot of "slate" or blueish tint in their feathers which it is a fault of breeding or the camera not picking up the true colors. And the colors are a bit washed out that the body and chest almost of a same shade. Other than that, they are just fine if you can find the right rooster for them if you are serious about breeding them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EweSheep 

I would not use that rooster at all if you are breeding for quality Welsummers. He has too many faults. His comb should never flop or lean one side, white fluffs, lacing in chest, lack of 80 percent black chest, legs too light, body coloring is not correct, and too narrow in body.

 

However the hens are a better shape but I see alot of "slate" or blueish tint in their feathers which it is a fault of breeding or the camera not picking up the true colors. And the colors are a bit washed out that the body and chest almost of a same shade. Other than that, they are just fine if you can find the right rooster for them if you are serious about breeding them.

Thanks for pointing that out Ewesheep,  I thought they may have different standards in England than we have here, so I wasn't sure if that was a normal looking roo for that area or if there was an international standard

Wellie or no?

Thanks.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Gonzo 

Wellie or no?

 

 

Thanks.
 

With the white ears, I would say he's a brown leghorn.