How would you go about breeding this?

[MayBerg]

Large Welsummer hen.

I went to a farm a few weeks ago and the Welsummer in her flock were almost double the size of my Welsummer that I am presently raising. Her bird's feathers are silky and nice. She told me she breeds them to be like that. I've been trying to get in touch with her since, but complete silence.

Any idea? I am new and ready to learn

 

[sourland]

The quickest way would be to get eggs or birds from her.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The feather condition is likely also health based, not just genetics. Healthy, clean birds feel nicer to a degree than birds with poorer diets or stressed. Ime, protein in the feed plays a role too, woth the more they get, the better their feathers.

As for size, best course of action would be to bring in a larger rooster and just continue selecting the largest birds that hatch to reproduce

 

[Ridgerunner]

It sounds like she is breeding and feeding for show birds. Along with all the other breed requirements show birds are bred to be larger than the typical hatchery birds and are fed a specific diet to help them grow that large. The nice feathers are a result of breeding and a special diet.

Somebody breeding show birds spend a lot of time and money developing and maintaining their line of show birds. Of course, each breeder has their own personality and desires. Some breeders do not want to aid their competitors so they do not sell their birds or hatching eggs. Some are happy to help someone else get into breeding the breed they are passionate about, but often only if they are going to learn how to breed and maintain the integrity of the breed. Once you have convinced them you are deserving they may even help pick out a breeding trio for you.

Even with the best of the breeders, 80% to 90% of the chicks they hatch are not of the quality to win a grand prize. Some breeders do not want their name associated with chickens that they have not selected which get to breed to which and they have not fed. They don't want to damage their reputation. Others may sell their hatching eggs, baby chicks, or even their rejects to help pay for feed. Their rejects are so far above hatchery birds that you'd probably be ecstatic to have them. You would not win any prize by showing them but they'd sure look nice.

So what can you do? If you are serious about this learn all you can of the Welsummer breed. Get a copy of the Standard of Perfection and study it. Study chicken genetics. Go to chicken shows that have Welsummer and see what they are supposed to look like. Talk to the breeders there. Some may not give you the time of day but others may be happy to teach you and maybe even sell you eggs or chickens to get started.

Or, if all you want is good looking chickens, look up your country's Welsummer's club and contact them. I don't know what country you are in so that would require a web search. Or chat with the breeders at chicken shows. You may be able to find someone willing to sell you hatching eggs or the birds themselves. Do not expect them to be cheap. It takes a lot of money to develop and maintain the breed. They are not going to give them away.

 

[MayBerg]

It sounds like she is breeding and feeding for show birds. Along with all the other breed requirements show birds are bred to be larger than the typical hatchery birds and are fed a specific diet to help them grow that large. The nice feathers are a result of breeding and a special diet.

Somebody breeding show birds spend a lot of time and money developing and maintaining their line of show birds. Of course, each breeder has their own personality and desires. Some breeders do not want to aid their competitors so they do not sell their birds or hatching eggs. Some are happy to help someone else get into breeding the breed they are passionate about, but often only if they are going to learn how to breed and maintain the integrity of the breed. Once you have convinced them you are deserving they may even help pick out a breeding trio for you.

Even with the best of the breeders, 80% to 90% of the chicks they hatch are not of the quality to win a grand prize. Some breeders do not want their name associated with chickens that they have not selected which get to breed to which and they have not fed. They don't want to damage their reputation. Others may sell their hatching eggs, baby chicks, or even their rejects to help pay for feed. Their rejects are so far above hatchery birds that you'd probably be ecstatic to have them. You would not win any prize by showing them but they'd sure look nice.

So what can you do? If you are serious about this learn all you can of the Welsummer breed. Get a copy of the Standard of Perfection and study it. Study chicken genetics. Go to chicken shows that have Welsummer and see what they are supposed to look like. Talk to the breeders there. Some may not give you the time of day but others may be happy to teach you and maybe even sell you eggs or chickens to get started.

Or, if all you want is good looking chickens, look up your country's Welsummer's club and contact them. I don't know what country you are in so that would require a web search. Or chat with the breeders at chicken shows. You may be able to find someone willing to sell you hatching eggs or the birds themselves. Do not expect them to be cheap. It takes a lot of money to develop and maintain the breed. They are not going to give them away.

Wow. That's a lot. Lol. Not in a bad way. I guess some people are passionate about cars, some are about chickens. No i don't want to breed welsummers. My time is pretty limited with full-time work, family etc...chicken if for fun, something to do, they give me stress relief. But, her welsummer was a stunner, never seen chicken like that in my life. I want one just for fun. My welsummer is from Privett and scrunch lol. But she's still a baby. I'll cut her some slacks.

But I would love to go to a chicken show. I am in Northern California. If someone knows of a show, holler !!!

 

[MayBerg]

The feather condition is likely also health based, not just genetics. Healthy, clean birds feel nicer to a degree than birds with poorer diets or stressed. Ime, protein in the feed plays a role too, woth the more they get, the better their feathers.

As for size, best course of action would be to bring in a larger rooster and just continue selecting the largest birds that hatch to reproduce

I see. My chickens are still babies, 8 weeks. They are still on grower feed. I also give them some table scraps (veggies, fruits, eggs maybe 3 times a week. Oh well, no roosters. I can't have more than 3 roosters and I already have Monsieur Jacques Maran, Popcorn Cochin and Banana Brahma.

 

[MayBerg]

The quickest way would be to get eggs or birds from her.

She doesn't answer to my texts.

 

[MayBerg]

BTW, she also had very dark olive eggs. Military olive kind. Real nice. Too bad she no longer respond to texts.