MJ's little flock

[Perris]

If anyone's interested, these are the people I bought the eggs from.

https://www.pipandgrow.com.au/

The lady's name is Hanna and she's very helpful.

It looks like a lovely business - and the type of Welsummer you'll be getting is the same as is my Janeka, so I can testify independently that what they say about the breed is true of Janeka too except, perhaps, re broodiness. Janeka's gone twice, and her daughter Idris went broody in her 1st year - both have done a decent job of it. (Idris sports the partridge plumage more commonly seen in Welsummers, and her sire wasn't a welsummer.)

She also enjoys good health: Janeka will be 6 in Feb. The website says they're low maintenance and she is definitely that; no trouble at all, and she's one of my favourites. And, bonus, she was placed in one of BYC's beauty contests So I hope you enjoy your Welsumer chicks as much as I have enjoyed having Janeka.

 

[MaryJanet]

It looks like a lovely business - and the type of Welsummer you'll be getting is the same as is my Janeka, so I can testify independently that what they say about the breed is true of Janeka too except, perhaps, re broodiness. Janeka's gone twice, and her daughter Idris went broody in her 1st year - both have done a decent job of it. (Idris sports the partridge plumage more commonly seen in Welsummers, and her sire wasn't a welsummer.)

She also enjoys good health: Janeka will be 6 in Feb. The website says they're low maintenance and she is definitely that; no trouble at all, and she's one of my favourites. And, bonus, she was placed in one of BYC's beauty contests So I hope you enjoy your Welsumer chicks as much as I have enjoyed having Janeka.

It seems Hanna and her family are genuinely doing their best work with the chickens, and I'm delighted to know her description of Welsummers is mostly consistent with your experience. Perhaps I can trust the other descriptions she provides too.

Welsummers have been on my wish list since I first met one wandering around the formal garden at the MONA down in Tasmania years ago. Before I found Janet and Mary, I tried to find a Welsummer and couldn't, so I'm delighted there are some breeding not too far from my house and delighted that all going well, there will be a Welsummer hatched here by old Mary.

 

[RoyalChick]

It looks like a lovely business - and the type of Welsummer you'll be getting is the same as is my Janeka, so I can testify independently that what they say about the breed is true of Janeka too except, perhaps, re broodiness. Janeka's gone twice, and her daughter Idris went broody in her 1st year - both have done a decent job of it. (Idris sports the partridge plumage more commonly seen in Welsummers, and her sire wasn't a welsummer.)

She also enjoys good health: Janeka will be 6 in Feb. The website says they're low maintenance and she is definitely that; no trouble at all, and she's one of my favourites. And, bonus, she was placed in one of BYC's beauty contests So I hope you enjoy your Welsumer chicks as much as I have enjoyed having Janeka.

I had a look. Bernie is a type of Welsummer too. Interesting that they describe them as productive. Lovely Bernie is a very sporadic layer. Not complaining - but an egg from Bernie is always a bit of a treat!

 

[Perris]

It seems Hanna and her family are genuinely doing their best work with the chickens, and I'm delighted to know her description of Welsummers is mostly consistent with your experience. Perhaps I can trust the other descriptions she provides too.

Welsummers have been on my wish list since I first met one wandering around the formal garden at the MONA down in Tasmania years ago. Before I found Janet and Mary, I tried to find a Welsummer and couldn't, so I'm delighted there are some breeding not too far from my house and delighted that all going well, there will be a Welsummer hatched here by old Mary.

will you be allowed to select the eggs? if so, note that there's quite a lot of variability in the browns with welsumers. Some breed for dark brown, some for mid range, some for a terracotta / reddy brown, some for speckled. I've found Janeka's eggs can be any of these things, depending on a host of factors. But if you do get to choose, it advantageous to go for something not like what any other of your birds lay, as it makes it so much easier to know who's laying what. Of course the colour of egg laid by what hatches out, is not necessarily the same as that of the egg they hatched from, but breeding usually runs on such principles.

 

[MaryJanet]

will you be allowed to select the eggs? if so, note that there's quite a lot of variability in the browns with welsumers. Some breed for dark brown, some for mid range, some for a terracotta / reddy brown, some for speckled. I've found Janeka's eggs can be any of these things, depending on a host of factors. But if you do get to choose, it advantageous to go for something not like what any other of your birds lay, as it makes it so much easier to know who's laying what. Of course the colour of egg laid by what hatches out, is not necessarily the same as that of the egg they hatched from, but breeding usually runs on such principles.

Unfortunately, no. They are careful about biosecurity and the eggs will be packed and waiting for me in their carport.

I agree it's handy to know who's laying by their egg colour, that's why I had cream legbars on the list. But I'll manage somehow.

To be honest, I've had such bad luck with hatches I'm only half expecting chicks to hatch.

 

[MaryJanet]

I had a look. Bernie is a type of Welsummer too. Interesting that they describe them as productive. Lovely Bernie is a very sporadic layer. Not complaining - but an egg from Bernie is always a bit of a treat!

That suits me! I prefer hens that don't lay too often, as long as they're healthy.

 

[RoyalChick]

That suits me! I prefer hens that don't lay too often, as long as they're healthy.

Yes. That is why I mentioned it. Sylvie is also a type of Welsummer, although with her crazy white plumage she is obviously some kind of genetic mix-up. But she lays brown speckled Welsummer eggs, again rather rarely. Maybe 1-2 a week.

 

[MaryJanet]

So here's Mary's Hatchery.

The nest box is wider than the one on the old little coop. But it has a slatted floor, which worries me. I'm going to line it with something insulative. Not sure what, will keep thinking.

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes. That is why I mentioned it. Sylvie is also a type of Welsummer, although with her crazy white plumage she is obviously some kind of genetic mix-up. But she lays brown speckled Welsummer eggs, again rather rarely. Maybe 1-2 a week.

Perfect! Thanks for sharing that info.

I'm curious about the bantam Orpingtons too. I'm not all that keen on bantams but they look very sweet.

 

[RoyalChick]

So here's Mary's Hatchery.

View attachment 3963478

View attachment 3963479

The nest box is wider than the one on the old little coop. But it has a slatted floor, which worries me. I'm going to line it with something insulative. Not sure what, will keep thinking.

View attachment 3963481

Good job assembling that!