The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[Hobbshouse14]

At six weeks old it pretty obvious that our "Rosie" is really a Rocky" or a "hotdog" as my four year old would like to rename him. Thank you to everyone who gave their opinions a few weeks ago. We are not supposed to have roosters here in our neighborhood even though we do live out in the country and have a little over three acres. There are predators in this area and flock protection would be great even though we will have a large 11x30' covered run. Our dog is fiercely protective of them too. He is a really sweet bird and I love how beautiful Welsummer roosters are. How noisy are they as grown roosters? Are they aggressive or could they be okay near a four year old as long as we are good about educating him on behavior around them? With that said, he's four and understandably still moves quickly and is loud sometimes. I know that no crow collars are controversial, but going in the freezer is not a great option either. Thoughts? We are very new at this, but really love these birds. We have eight total in the flock.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I read a thread a while back about a family and their dealings with their crazy neighbor. One of the items they use is a collar that you put on the rooster and it will keep the rooster from crowing.

Just a thought...

 

[Hobbshouse14]

I read a thread a while back about a family and their dealings with their crazy neighbor. One of the items they use is a collar that you put on the rooster and it will keep the rooster from crowing.

Just a thought...

Thanks! Has anyone tried this successfully with a Welsummer rooster? This would be great if it works? Any other thoughts on Welsummer temperament around kids?

 

[aart]

Quote: Collars are 'controversial' for good reason, they often cause injury/distress....
......and often don't really work very well without almost constant adjustment/attention, if at all.

If you are not allowed to have roosters, don't have them.....
.......it only degrades the fight for the right to be allowed to grow any food birds.

I have a Welsummer cockbird, he's very loud but does not crow excessively unless alarmed.
He's mellow and well behaved. Not sure if that is inherent in the breed or my management style,
which is 'no nonsense'.... if you hadn't noticed.

That said, I don't think I would have a cockbird if I had small children around...
.....even hens should be treated/handled with care and close supervision by small kids.
Beaks + shiny human eyes = bad news. No kissing of chickens...haha!

 

[Hobbshouse14]

Collars are 'controversial' for good reason, they often cause injury/distress....
......and often don't really work very well without almost constant adjustment/attention, if at all.

If you are not allowed to have roosters, don't have them.....
.......it only degrades the fight for the right to be allowed to grow any food birds.

I have a Welsummer cockbird, he's very loud but does not crow excessively unless alarmed.
He's mellow and well behaved. Not sure if that is inherent in the breed or my management style,
which is 'no nonsense'.... if you hadn't noticed.

That said, I don't think I would have a cockbird if I had small children around...
.....even hens should be treated/handled with care and close supervision by small kids.
Beaks + shiny human eyes = bad news. No kissing of chickens...haha!

Thanks! We are very careful to always supervise Ryan around the birds, careful hand washing, no kisses, etc. we are very no nonsense parents, so I definitely get where you are coming from with your concerns. I am the first one in our neighborhood to get chickens and was the one to get them to change the HOA rules on this- I would hate to ruin it.

 

[aart]

Quote: Oh, then absolutely put the boys off your place and out of your mind......you are probably under much scrutiny, either literally or at least figuratively.

If you want to hatch chicks at some point, you can always find some fertile eggs...
.....that's the main reason for a cockbird anyway, most are just the appetizers(speed bumps) when it comes to predators anyway.

 

[SeattleSelkie]

Thanks! Has anyone tried this successfully with a Welsummer rooster? This would be great if it works? Any other thoughts on Welsummer temperament around kids?

My Wellie cocks are pretty serious birds. Although they are not overtly aggressive, I would not have mine around children as they are very protective of the flock and quick movement gets their undivided attention. But like many breeds, I would suspect there are lines with more and lines with less aggressive cock birds. My cocks are also quite vocal with their crowing.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

That is such a nice looking Rooster.

 

[Hobbshouse14]

My Wellie cocks are pretty serious birds. Although they are not overtly aggressive, I would not have mine around children as they are very protective of the flock and quick movement gets their undivided attention. But like many breeds, I would suspect there are lines with more and lines with less aggressive cock birds. My cocks are also quite vocal with their crowing.

Thanks for the input! I ended up calling the farm where we bought him from as a chick and he is going to take him back next week. Between having a young child and just getting the HOA to change their rules to allow hens and not wanting to risk having to get rid of all the birds, it was the right thing to do. Thank you all for chiming in with advice! By the way, your boy is absolutely gorgeous!

 

[RanchRichey]

She may be a barnyard mix instead of a Welsummer, but she is turning out to be one of my prettiest birds