The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[Rock Home Isle]

Does anyone have an explanation as to why it appears that the Welsummers have infertility issues?

If a breeding line of poultry is to closely bred, that will have a huge impact on fertility. If the line is worth saving, an outcross will be needed to introduce Hybrid Vigor.

 

[SeattleSelkie]

Does anyone have an explanation as to why it appears that the Welsummers have infertility issues?

I have not experienced fertility issues with my birds. I have hatched dozens of chicks and run close to 100% fertility in my eggs this spring. I suspect it is related more to the particular line or individuals than to the breed as a whole. As suggested, maybe an outcross is warranted.

 

[aart]

Quote: Ditto Dat^^^^
Research your sources.

 

[microchick]

From what I am seeing with my hens, is, that it isn't a mater of infertility more than it is an unwillingness to be bred by roosters. I've seen the unwilling ones chase and attack any rooster that comes near them. They are great layers, giving us 5 big extra large about ever other day. I finally did manage to get a pure blooded Welly chick out of my last broody hatch which is a turn for the positive and I know my roosters are fertile as I also have Speckled Sussex Welsummer cross chicks this time around from eggs laid by my lone SS hen. and Welsummer/Buff O crosses from a Welsummer rooster over a Buff O hen.

So what is causing my hens not to be agreeable to being bred? I usually use only my Welsummer eggs for home cooking so I can check the fertility. Unusual for me to find more than 1 out of 3 fertile.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

You'll need to cull that behavior out of your flock....or learn A.I. Technique.

 

[microchick]

You'll need to cull that behavior out of your flock....or learn A.I. Technique.

So you think this might be a problem with the particular line of Welsummers I have?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

So you think this might be a problem with the particular line of Welsummers I have?

Actually not sure...it's interesting behavior.

From what you are posting, you have multiple hens, unwilling to breed with your roosters, and they are all the same breed....

Certain behaviors can be passed along genetically...aggression is a prime example. However you call it, this is a behavior issue.

So my first two concerns/question are:

How familiar with this line of Welsummers are you?

Are others with this line having the same issues with hens refusing to mate?

Something to look into....

 

[ChickenzillaSea]

This is April, our one year-old Welsummer. She is definitely the smartest of our four urban backyard birds. She has a way of turning her head so she can get a better look at you with that eye, that tells you there's more thought running through that little brain. She is the sweetest of the flock, comes running immediately when she hears the door sliding open on the house, and loves to chatter when she's near you. She has recently starting being very loud, however. Loud enough and consistent enough I'm worried neighbors will complain. She squawks about everything, starting (now that it's nearly summer) around 6 am sometimes and goes and goes until we come let her out of the coop. Is she manipulating us? Wondering if we should be giving in to the squawking.

 

[SeattleSelkie]

She has recently starting being very loud, however. Loud enough and consistent enough I'm worried neighbors will complain. She squawks about everything, starting (now that it's nearly summer) around 6 am sometimes and goes and goes until we come let her out of the coop. Is she manipulating us? Wondering if we should be giving in to the squawking.

My Welsummers are the loudest of my birds when they sing their egg song. The whole world hears about how proud she is! And my Wellie roosters like to join in as well on the announcements.
I am lucky to live on acreage, so no neighbors to worry about.....but I have found them to be somewhat vocal for hens.

 

[SeattleSelkie]

So you think this might be a problem with the particular line of Welsummers I have?

I would guess possibly.......unless it is just one particular male that they don't care for. I have had that happen. But if it is any cock, and the hens are mature and not broody, then I would tend to think it is something besides the cock bird's personality. Does everyone have lots of room? Crowding can bring out stress behaviors not normally seen in more relaxed flock structures.