The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[Farmer Viola]

Thanks for the detailed information!!! They sound like fun birds to have around. I think next spring I'll want to get some chicks to add to my flock. I got all older birds this year because I was scared I'd kill chicks but I think I'll try chicks maybe with the Welsummers. Then I'll have a better idea actually how old they are! Where did you get yours from?

I got mine from Bwalden here on BYC, here is his hatching egg add: http://new.backyardchickens.com/t/746229/welsummer-hatching-eggs-12-npip-certified
I also got BCM eggs from him, the egg color is SOSOSO dark, very beautiful eggs and friendly personable hens.

 

[Angie16hearts]

I plan to keep my girls on grower, with supplemental oyster she'll separate, until they're all laying. There's nothing wrong with a little extra protein while they're finishing growing up, and that's all the grower has different from the layer, I think.

I've been hard boiling eggs and smashing the shells. The guy at feed store told me to wait on oyster shells tell they lay. But if it works I'll definitely go get some.

 

[Farmer Viola]

I've been hard boiling eggs and smashing the shells. The guy at feed store told me to wait on oyster shells tell they lay. But if it works I'll definitely go get some.

you don't want to mix in calcium supplements like oyster shell, always offer it free choice.

mixed in calcium or switching to layer feed too early can overload and damage the kidneys before their bodies are ready to process the excess nutrients. it will not speed up laying.

eggshells are made out of pure calcium, so they really need the added calcium when they start laying. before that, it can actually be harmful.

 

[Angie16hearts]

you don't want to mix in calcium supplements like oyster shell, always offer it free choice.

mixed in calcium or switching to layer feed too early can overload and damage the kidneys before their bodies are ready to process the excess nutrients. it will not speed up laying.

eggshells are made out of pure calcium, so they really need the added calcium when they start laying. before that, it can actually be harmful.

Ok, good to know I lay it in a plate for about a hour a night with scraps but will definitely pull them now. Thank you!

 

[Angie16hearts]

Ok, good to know I lay it in a plate for about a hour a night with scraps but will definitely pull them now. Thank you!

you don't want to mix in calcium supplements like oyster shell, always offer it free choice.

mixed in calcium or switching to layer feed too early can overload and damage the kidneys before their bodies are ready to process the excess nutrients. it will not speed up laying.

eggshells are made out of pure calcium, so they really need the added calcium when they start laying. before that, it can actually be harmful.

They are on both grower and layer feed cause u have a few different ages. Is that ok? Or an I causing more harm to the younger and older ones? They range from 18-25 weeks

 

[estamets]

They are on both grower and layer feed cause u have a few different ages. Is that ok? Or an I causing more harm to the younger and older ones? They range from 18-25 weeks

I think it's safest to provide calcium separately, and keep them on grower until they're laying, then switch to layer. I like what someone said about continuing to use grower, with calcium separate, to make sure they get enough protein even though they get treats.

 

[Farmer Viola]

They are on both grower and layer feed cause u have a few different ages. Is that ok? Or an I causing more harm to the younger and older ones? They range from 18-25 weeks

I do mixed ages too, and I just stopped using layer feed. I switched to grower for all ages, even adults, and I have a separate despenser for oyster shell and eggshell, and another dispenser for grit for the younger ones. I see all the ages eat all the shells and grit though. Recently I switched from grower to flock raiser (18% protein to 21%) to give them extra protein because they free range 100% of the time. but grower for all ages is fine too

 

[Angie16hearts]

G

I think it's safest to provide calcium separately, and keep them on grower until they're laying, then switch to layer. I like what someone said about continuing to use grower, with calcium separate, to make sure they get enough protein even though they get treats.

I do mixed ages too, and I just stopped using layer feed. I switched to grower for all ages, even adults, and I have a separate despenser for oyster shell and eggshell, and another dispenser for grit for the younger ones. I see all the ages eat all the shells and grit though. Recently I switched from grower to flock raiser (18% protein to 21%) to give them extra protein because they free range 100% of the time. but grower for all ages is fine too

good advice! My flock does free range but I will definitely keep them on grower for now. It crossed my mind a few times. If I was doing it right. The guy at the feed store ( who has told me false information before ) said to start layer. So I did , should have trusted my gut. Thank you again for the great information!

 

[Angie16hearts]

16-30 weeks. Should be soon! How's her comb looking?

What do you think about the looks of her comb?

I plan to keep my girls on grower, with supplemental oyster she'll separate, until they're all laying. There's nothing wrong with a little extra protein while they're finishing growing up, and that's all the grower has different from the layer, I think.

I took this pic two days ago. I know she's a mix . I need to learn more about combs. The first pic was on July 14 Th. so definitely a change. Thanks again for all your help!! What a great place to get great information!

 

[wny egger]

she looks like she has white earlobs and thats a laghorn

What do you think about the looks of her comb?
I took this pic two days ago. I know she's a mix . I need to learn more about combs. The first pic was on July 14 Th. so definitely a change. Thanks again for all your help!! What a great place to get great information!

she looks to have white ear lobs and i beleave shes a leghorn cross..she may lay a lighter colored egg or even white egg..shes a pretty bird..the idea of waiting till they lay their first egg before starting them on layer feed is a debated practice..i no on the bag of dumars feed says to start them on layer at 20 weeks ..and others tell us not till they start laying feed..calcium like oyster shells should be offered at choice of the birds and not mixed in with their feed..same with grit..as mentioned above..there is suppost to be enough of everything they need in their feed but i think sometimes we get a bag that is lacking once in awhile ..so we need to give them what they need..i no my production birds first started laying right around 20 weeks and the first few eggs were misshaped and some without shells..now thats not a mess you will enjoy reaching into a nest box and finding first thing in the morn..lol

as far as her comb goes, you'll no when it turns real red that shes getting ready to start laying..she'll start to climb in the nest and start moving straw around ..it maybe another week or so after you notice her comb change to red..and it will get red..you'll noticed when it changes..then she should start laying..