The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[Happy Chooks]

These are my 2 roos. They both were born this spring but at different times. I Just cannot wait to use one this next spring. I can only have 1 so we will see how they do with crowing and filling out for now.

Charlie is this roo's name and he is the oldest.


Chuck is this roo's name the younger one.



Chuck is below as well



The chickens have waited all summer to get to go into the garden and they only have about a 3 weeks left before they go into their winter greenhouse for the next 5-6 months. That just sounded depressing. LOL

Chuck is a much better choice for breeding. (from what I can see in the pictures)

 

[stryker]

Thanks

 

[maddogdodge]

Is it common for Welsummer X's to look like purebred Welsummer's as chicks?

Last year I bought a some day old welsummer chicks, one turned out to be Welsummer X Barnevelder.

I've just hatched some X breed chicks from my flock. One looks exactly like a Welsummer yet the father is the roo in my profile pic - Very far from a welsummer!

2 weeks old and I'm already 99% sure he's a roo, haha!

 

[aart]

Is it common for Welsummer X's to look like purebred Welsummer's as chicks?

Last year I bought a some day old welsummer chicks, one turned out to be Welsummer X Barnevelder.

I've just hatched some X breed chicks from my flock. One looks exactly like a Welsummer yet the father is the roo in my profile pic - Very far from a welsummer!

2 weeks old and I'm already 99% sure he's a roo, haha!

There are more than a few breeds, not to mention crosses, that have chipmunk striping at hatch..
Even if you know for sure you have pure Wellies, the eyeliner and head triangle configurations does not guarantee gender ID.
Yep, that's a pretty big comb....if it reddens up at 5-6 weeks and wattles start to grow......it'll scream 'male!' of just about any breed or cross.

 

[maddogdodge]

There are more than a few breeds, not to mention crosses, that have chipmunk striping at hatch..
Even if you know for sure you have pure Wellies, the eyeliner and head triangle configurations does not guarantee gender ID.
Yep, that's a pretty big comb....if it reddens up at 5-6 weeks and wattles start to grow......it'll scream 'male!' of just about any breed or cross.

Interesting re the chipmunk colouring. Will be interesting to see what he looks like as an adult as those feathers look very much like normal welsummer feathers to me!

I've never heard of head triangle and eyeliner indicating gender... i am simply going by comb size, the other chicks he's with have almost no comb!

 

[MrsFitzDarcy]

What are some major differences in show-quality Welsummers. I have a pullet near POL, and I'd like to assess her before a show -my first-ever- for DQs and such. The patterned part of the color is hard to tell for me.

 

[aart]

What are some major differences in show-quality Welsummers. I have a pullet near POL, and I'd like to assess her before a show -my first-ever- for DQs and such. The patterned part of the color is hard to tell for me.

I'd suggest you take good some clear pics:
Full body side view.
Front and back views.
Top view.
Maybe some close up head shots.
All should be with a natural, relaxed stance and taken at 'ground' level.

Then post them here https://www.facebook.com/groups/welsummerclubofnorthamerica/ to ask for opinions.
Not many serious breeder/show folks follow this thread anymore that I am aware of.

 

[Happy Chooks]

What are some major differences in show-quality Welsummers. I have a pullet near POL, and I'd like to assess her before a show -my first-ever- for DQs and such. The patterned part of the color is hard to tell for me.

The best way to learn is to take her to a show. DQ's would be any white in her feathers or feather stubs specific to the breed. Other DQ's are the same across all breeds like knock kneed, side sprigs on their comb, etc.

The patterning for Welsummers is a difficult thing to tackle. I was told by a long time breeder that wild type partridge (which is Welsummer coloring) is one of the most difficult colors to master. Laced birds are another. (like Barnevelder, Partridge Rocks, Silver Penciled Rocks) You find the best you can and work to improve them. There is no perfect bird.

 

[7littlegirls]

My welsummer April is still not laying. She is 30 weeks

 

[townhen]

Quote:

My welsummer April is still not laying. She is 30 weeks

My welsummer, Hedwig, is nearly 29 weeks and is still not laying, either. Curiously, though, she has had a large, bright red comb and wattles for the last 10 weeks or so... we thought for sure she'd be the first to lay, but she's the only one not laying yet in our small flock!