The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[chickenfish]

Hi all,

I have two welsummer hens. About seven months old. Both have started laying. One started later than the other, though they were hatched on the same day. Here's the situation. When they started laying the egg color was light. The eggs have the classic welsummer speckles, but they are light in color. Then this morning we got an egg that was dark and speckled. So I know it is a welsummer egg and I know it was from the late bloomer wellie, because the egg was smaller and this is the second time she has laid on the floor of the coop and not in the nest box. All the other hens are laying in the nest box. I don't know why she is a non conformist and won't lay in the box. My real questions are. (1) Why did the egg color go dark suddenly (which of course I like), is this normal? and (2) any tricks to get her laying in the box, as I'm afraid one of the other hens are going to start pecking at any eggs on the coop floor.

*** And the ten thousand dollar question *****
I have seven hens (3 red stars, one Australorp, one EE and the two welsummers). I want a few more chickens but my wife shut me down. Will some of you lady chicken owners send me the secret code so I can convince my wife that we should get at least three more? I offered up an iPad 2 and that didn't fly. If I can't get more chickens, I'm afraid I'll lose my mind.

 

[faykokoWV]

Quote:
The first egg one of my Welsummers layed was light brown, every one since then has been terra cotta with speckles... I was told this isn't unusual as the brown coloring is a coating on the egg.

to get her laying in the nesting box either put golf balls or fake eggs in the nesting box. Or you can put her egg in there and mark it with a pencil so you know its an old egg. She'll get the idea. Also, sometimes changing the bedding in the nesting box helps, they like it very fresh

 

[Captain Carrot]

Quote:
They are in a weird coloring, teenager stage right now. I noticed the male, his eyes are green. Is it the camera or his eyes should be reddish bay. If it is yellow or green, it is a major fault. Also his feathers should not have any white tipping on his chest feathers. The pullet chest feathers got some kind of lacing going on but hopefully it is the camera and sun reflection.

Lets wait until they are nine to twelve months of age before you decide to cull them.

Yes, don't fret about off markings when they are young. Mine looked weird, almost barred when young and the male also had white but you wouldn't know it now.

There is no such thing as chicken shows over here, so they're not going to be up for show at any time. I have no idea about it's eye colour, I'll have a look in the morning.

I got them because I like the breed and the temperament, they're really for my kids to help look after. They both love my standard chickens, and my 4 year old can catch and hold them properly, but the bantams would be easier. We just have to tame them.

 

[faykokoWV]

Quote:
Yes, don't fret about off markings when they are young. Mine looked weird, almost barred when young and the male also had white but you wouldn't know it now.

There is no such thing as chicken shows over here, so they're not going to be up for show at any time. I have no idea about it's eye colour, I'll have a look in the morning.

I got them because I like the breed and the temperament, they're really for my kids to help look after. They both love my standard chickens, and my 4 year old can catch and hold them properly, but the bantams would be easier. We just have to tame them.

I hope your kids enjoy them greatly. Your other two breeds are interesting, I had never heard of them, but googling the pictures they are some beautiful birds!

 

[outback hatcher]

I completed a hatch. I set 7 wellie eggs 4 hatched out looks to me like 2 little girls for sure (maybe 3)

They are mixed in with their hatch mates jap. black tail buff bantams 10 of12 hatched

 

[NCSprout]

here's 2 of the 3 i had hatch out from some of erhard's eggs. the other one is still drying off and napping.

they are in with a couple of orloffs from him as well.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Congrats to everyone with babies!


San...........how did your hatch go?

 

[HogbackMtnChickns]

Quote:
I just wanted to post my sympathy for Nate's tragedy. I had pre-ordered from Nate, with a group of Coloradoans. We are so sad not to be receiving our chicks from Nate, but are even more sad to hear of his loss.

Nate wrote a nice letter explaining the problem and has promptly refunded my deposit. I just wanted to say that shows a lot of professionalism and class. I hope that you are back up and running soon, Nate. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to buy from you in the future.

EweSheep - thanks for talking Nate into continuing with his chickens. I am sure he appreciated your encouragement.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I just wanted to post my sympathy for Nate's tragedy. I had pre-ordered from Nate, with a group of Coloradoans. We are so sad not to be receiving our chicks from Nate, but are even more sad to hear of his loss.

Nate wrote a nice letter explaining the problem and has promptly refunded my deposit. I just wanted to say that shows a lot of professionalism and class. I hope that you are back up and running soon, Nate. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to buy from you in the future.

EweSheep - thanks for talking Nate into continuing with his chickens. I am sure he appreciated your encouragement.

Well said, I couldn't agree more!

 

[pinkchick]

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the Welsummer thread New Wellie loving Friends!

Cuteness overload is going on with all the chickie pics. Congrats on everyones hatches.

beesong~ These are some of the eggs I am saving for you. We shall see what the rest of the weekend brings in the way of eggs, but I suspect we should get a few more.

2nd and 3rd rows from the right hand side of the turner.

My oldest gal is really kicking it into gear with the color of her eggs...even though they are smooth and not speckled the color of them makes up for no speckles and they are big eggs. I have noticed that I have had to start making my little bubble wrap pouches for them bigger.

Ohhhhh.....almost forgot to mention that out of 3 3 month old cockerels growing out from a hatch of Wellies that I decided to keep....2 of them have 5 point combs. One of them is banded and will be staying no matter what, he is a nice boy and taking after his daddy in size. I am also keeping one pullet out of the bunch because she is HUGE! She is bigger than her brother that I am keeping. Will have to get photos on Sunday when I plan on spending the entire day with my chooks. Many many chores to get done and repairs from over winter to make.....etc....etc.....etc.................