Anyone have welbars from privett?

[Floof]

I ordered welbars and CA Grey's from strombergs in April (not realizing they drop ship from privet). I've enjoyed their birds so far and almost all of them survived. We had one early loss (lost a male to shipping stress) and then one late loss (my daughter clipped the lid on the tote and I came home from work to find a box of nearly dead birds but only lost 1 female in the end). They are now about 5 months old but they still seem a little on the small side. Does anyone else have experience with these birds? When did they start to lay? My welbar cockerel is already breeding the pullets but they don't show any interest in the nest boxes yet. I'd love to hear anyone else's experience with them!

 

[Floof]

Here they are almost 3 weeks ago.

 

[aart]

Males mature a couple months before females.
So, yes, they will try to mount/mate but likely the girls won't stand(squat) for it until they are close to laying. It can be hard to tell the difference.

I think both your breeds are what I call 'slimline' birds.

Most breeds will lay between 18 and 28 weeks,
but diet and time of year can make a difference.
You'll just have to be patient.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Dazed and Confused]

good looking cock

 

[Floof]

So the Welbars started laying over the weekend! I got one light colored brown egg but the subsequent ones have been darker, closer to the "terracotta" color they advertise. I think 8 months to the first egg is a little extreme but I haven't kept them on an ideal diet so others experience may vary if they choose to order some for themselves.

 

[Floof]