The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[EweSheep]

Yes, I sure do have some SLOOOOOOOOOOW as molasses feathering out Wellies but the trade off is so worth it.

 

[tazcat70]

Quote:
Ok I was worried. I have other breeds that the slower they feather the better, but hadn't experienced it with Welsummers.

 

[stoopid]

Hello all, I'm new to BYC, and haven't posted in this thread, and am too lazy to read the over 500 pages, but has anyone else noticed.... Out of over 100 birds, ONLY my Welsummers have problems with bumblefoot? And their offspring, too. I don't know if it's just a genetic thing, or the hatchery? I have ordered thru both Ideal and Cackle, anyone have any input on this..... or if there was already a discussion, where to point me?? Thanks, I love these girls, and want to share them, but they all have bad feet! Roberta

 

[faykokoWV]

Quote:
I've never had any birds with bumblefoot so I can't really comment directly. My understanding is that its caused by injury to the foot and often from roosting on too narrow a roost or jumping from a height. Do you're welsummers roost higher than your other birds? Are your other birds lighter breeds that aren't landing on their feet as hard?

 

[stoopid]

No, I wouldn't make a fool of myself on this forum without checking all these factors out. I have many different breeds, sizes, ages, and I try to take the best care of them as possible. They are split between 2 coops, and they choose where they want to sleep and lay. There are many different height perches to choose from, and they perch on all levels. I have checked their surfaces, all ok. They are some of the larger birds, but not the only ones...They have a large outdoor area to live in, and the only birds with bad feet are the Welsummers. Any Ideas?

 

[tazcat70]

Nothing I can think of. I only had one hen get it and she was a production red, and she seemed to be more prone to it, since she got it twice.

Do your Wellies like to go to a certain area of the yard that the others don't? Do they dig more than your other breeds?

 

[BluBug]

Quote:

Not knowing much about chicken diseases/problems~only because I haven't had 'many' problems yet ! You learn a lot faster & more when you have them to deal with, however, my dealing w/ large livestock is immense, sooooo I'm thinking your problems may be a virus or a contagious serum & the Wellies are the most affected. I would isolate them from the other breeds & either try to heal them or destroy them. In this modern world infections are constanly changing & you never know what something has morphed into.Just my opinion & I LOVE WELLIES

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Borrowed from the Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow



Bumblefoot~

Transmission- contaminated hatching eggs, bacteria enters foot through injury caused by splinters, sharp roosts, jumping from roost to hard or rocky ground, housing on wire, irritaion due to umproper litter managment

Prevention- practice good sanitation, provide deep dry litter that does not pack, avoid high perches, and sand off splinters, feed vitamin supp. (especially vit A) do not breed susceptible chickens to avoid getting more of the same


not saying this is how your birds are housed...just putting the causes of bumblefoot out there for you. this could have been something that came with these birds from the hatchery.

 

[tazcat70]

Does anyone have a real close up pictures of the feathers on a roosters back? I would like to see if my 20 week old is feathering in right.

 

[Opa]

Tonya, I will go out a little later and see if I can't get some closeup shots of my rooster's back. I know that he fits the breed standards perfectly.