The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[ochochicas]

LGC - sorry you don't like your RIRs. We bought three, but they all ended up being mixes of some kind. However, they are super friendly and climb all over us. The one in my photos just isn't friendly, but she's not flightly ether...somewhere inbetween.

I do think the feed store mixed up the Wellies with the Sussex chicks. They had a dozen pens so it didn't seem like it would be that difficult to keep them separate. The "Welsummers" were in a tank supposedly with Barred Rocks (which are black) so its not like they could get those two confused. Next time if I get chicks of a specific breed, I'll be getting them from a local breeder instead.

 

[aart]

Specific breeds from the hatchery are often less than stellar examples of said breed.....I'm sure there a mix ups in the breeding pens, sorting facility and the stores.

 

[lgc1970]

I'm getting some Welsummer eggs this time. So, I'm expecting to get good stock this time. The hens and rooster pics are so healthy looking, not to mention so much like the breed standard. No white on any of them! Can't wait until hatch day.

 

[aart]

I'm getting some Welsummer eggs this time. So, I'm expecting to get good stock this time. The hens and rooster pics are so healthy looking, not to mention so much like the breed standard. No white on any of them! Can't wait until hatch day.

Depends on where you get your hatching eggs ;-)

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm new to chickens. I bought this chick from a feed store. She is supposed to be a Welsummer pullet. Now that she is 6 weeks old she is starting to get white feathers on her neck and chest. Is this normal? Or did I get something other than a Welsummer? Thanks!

You got a Speckled Sussex.

 

[lgc1970]

Depends on where you get your hatching eggs ;-)

You could not be more right! But I am getting them from a seller here on BYC with a great reputation and lots of great comments.

 

[aart]

Quote: There ya go!

 

[dretd]

Good Morning Welsummer Affectionados!

I just finished up a hatch of beautiful Wellie eggs and got 13 total! I thought it was going to be a piece of cake to sex but now and second guessing myself and would love input from experienced hatchers. How reliable is the 'V' and eyeliner? If I sell some extra chicks, should I sell them as probable boys at a lower cost and probable girls at a higher cost, or straight run at an in between rate?

To my eye, I think I have 8 boys and 5 girls. I have some that I think are obviously girls as they have very dark eyeliner and the V is highlighted in a darker color:



The boys are making me wonder as the amount of the V is darker in some and a few do have a light brown eyeliner where some lack eyeliner all together (more obviously boys) the one in the front does have a darker 'V' than the one on the left for instance, but it is not outlined in sable like the obvious girls--is this one still a boy to the experienced?:

And the eyeliner is brown and not outlined--normal darker boy, or is this one truly indeterminate and could be a girl?


So what are your thoughts and experiences on the accuracy of the down sexing? What should I sell these guys as--maybe sexed 'probables' or just go straight run with the whole lot? Ever had a dark Cleopatra chick be a boy? Ever had pale eye liner be a girl?

 

[ochochicas]

You got a Speckled Sussex.

Next time I'll get my chickens from a reputable breeder. Hopefully someone in my area breeds welsummers.

 

[lgc1970]

dretd - I have had paler fuzz on girls and never dark fuzz on a boy, but I am sure it could happen (nature is funny that way). I have found that the fuzz sexing is about 80% accurate; with it, for me, more often sexing girls as boys, but I can see it going the other way, too. If you want to sell them, then I would sell the ones you are sure about as sexed and the other 2-3 as straight run. Consider that even the hatcheries will only provide a 90% guarantee.
I hope this helps. They are too, too cute!