The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[Cowgirl75446]

I own Welsummers, they are wonderful birds. I have been breeding them for about 5 years now. I almost sold all of them last year, but decided to keep a few, I am glad I did.

 

[EweSheep]

Soldier

Nice looking roos! Yes I agree with Royce and yes on the working on leg color and be mindful about the white or grey feathers popping out. And the overlargeness of combs and wattles.

The breeder in MO COULD have been Calicowoods unless her stock was a bit older than when Estes bought the flock from Harry Shaw. I would not mind the stock coming directly from Calicowoods or the first year that Estes had. You certainly can be sure it is Calicowoods lines.

I like the built on those roos, very handsome!

Just work on those and you will come out pretty good, or even better than the hatchery stock.

 

[Dr Bjorn Netland]

I like both of these cock birds, but my preference is for the lighter one. The lack of brown mottling I wouldn't worry about as they're young still, and this may show up later. Check to see if there is red on the breast feathers in areas not exposed. (The Germans and the Danes require a three-color breast pattern (grey/brown/black) with the black showing up as "droplets" on what is generally brown (the grey is then hidden)). Contrary to the opinions of others, perhaps, I would prefer a higher tail angle--these are too much like the German type (IMO) with the tail. Comb size may be an issue, especially with cocks of the UK or Dutch lines as compared to the German type; here, I'd go for a happy compromise as the Dutch/UK cocks tend to have combs going too far out on the beak. Then, the proof in the pudding should also be what kind of eggs the offspring lay, and how prolific their laying ability is. Productivity needs to stay in the picture, I think.

 

[eggdd]

spot on. x2.

I like both of these cock birds, but my preference is for the lighter one. The lack of brown mottling I wouldn't worry about as they're young still, and this may show up later. Check to see if there is red on the breast feathers in areas not exposed. (The Germans and the Danes require a three-color breast pattern (grey/brown/black) with the black showing up as "droplets" on what is generally brown (the grey is then hidden)). Contrary to the opinions of others, perhaps, I would prefer a higher tail angle--these are too much like the German type (IMO) with the tail. Comb size may be an issue, especially with cocks of the UK or Dutch lines as compared to the German type; here, I'd go for a happy compromise as the Dutch/UK cocks tend to have combs going too far out on the beak. Then, the proof in the pudding should also be what kind of eggs the offspring lay, and how prolific their laying ability is. Productivity needs to stay in the picture, I think.

 

[soldier]

I really appreciate all of your comments. I was not sure what type of quality birds I have and your responses are really helping me out. How exciting, if these roosters were from Calicowoods stock. Something I will never know. But at least I know they do not look like hatchery stock roosters.
I will post my hens later but I wanted to show another photo of the lighter bird Kellogg. I have to admit he is my favorite of the two roosters. I think his color is stunning, especially when the sun hits his feathers. He also carries a little more substance. Both birds are good sized though.
Attached is a photo of Kellogg showing he does have some of the brown feathers in his breast. The red also has a couple of brown feathers in the breast, not much and you can not see them on photos.
This is not the best photo of this roosters breast feathers, but attached is Kellogg showing some brown breast feathers on chest. I can try to get another photo showing more of his breast later.

 

[GroundhogGreen]

Here are some pics of my gals in their tractor - I don't breed or show them - just enjoy them as pets and hopefully for eggs soon!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Very pretty girls - and from the looks of them, you'll have eggs soon!

 

[soldier]

You have some pretty girls. What is their tractor?

 

[soldier]

I am going to post my Welsummer pullets. I again purchase them from 3 different places. First photos will be of the two chicks I purchased from Orschelins Farm Supply who is supplied by Estes Hatchery. I will post separate posts so these birds do not get mixed up. Please critique my birds. I do not mind and would like to learn. Through these critiques I will also know if the stock is good or not.

Attached photos of two chicks, now pullets purchased from Orschelins Farm Supply, supplied by Estes Hatchery. Age about 8 months old.

 

[soldier]

These are birds I purchased from my second source, a poultry swab. The breeder I purchased my chicks from said she purchase her original stock from a breeder in MO.

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