The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[faykokoWV]

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Columbus isn't far from me, but I've never shown anything so I think I would be a little lost. plus I think I would be concerned about the health risk to my flock

 

[Happy Chooks]

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plus I think I would be concerned about the health risk to my flock

The same for me. It's just not worth the risk of losing my entire flock. IF (and that's a big if) I ever show a bird, I will plan on selling it before I come home.

 

[Saltcreek]

This was the first poultry show I ever went to. Health was something I wondered about. I noticed a LOT of chickens would keep giving their head a rapid shake like the were trying to get something out of their head. A lot of others were digging in their feathers like they had bugs. I asked a person from Meyer's Hatchery about this because I have never seen my chickens doing this. She said some may have bugs, but others may act that way from being nervous because of the strange enviroment. Still, I changed cloths and sprayed my shoes when I got home before I checked my chickens in case any visitors hitched a ride.

 

[debid]

I was just wondering -- I have three Welsummer pullets and they all have long, grayish hairs sticking out between their feathers on the body. Is this normal for the breed? Two of three also have bigger spurs than my EE cockerel does...

 

[moodlymoo]

I was wondering if the crazy spastic chicken behavior of this breed goes away as they reach laying age? I have 1 and to be honest, I cant stand her. She is about 4-5 months old.

 

[Happy Chooks]

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I'm not picturing what you're explaining. Do you have a picture?

I do have a hen with spurs, so it is possible.

 

[Happy Chooks]

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I have 1 that is a little skittish, but none of my wellies are what I'd call flighty.

But I have heard that about hatchery wellies.

 

[Tailfeathers]

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The shaking the head is normal. Or at least it's nothing to be concerned about. I've seen birds of all breeds and ages do it. The same goes for "digging in their feathers like they had bugs". Watch a day old chick some time for any length of time and you'll see them do it too.

Having said that, changing clothes before making the rounds on your place after coming home from a show is a good thing to do. It's also a good idea to quarantine your birds for two weeks after coming home from a show.

But, having said that, I feel I must emphasize that the vast majority of all folks who show birds take great care to prevent their birds from getting anything and would not even think about doing something that might bring harm to others birds at the show. The Show Superintendent, judges, and others would pull a bird at the first sign of a possible illness. From the shows I've been to, they just don't take any chances.

There are also a number of visitors that come to the show just to see the birds. And most of those folks are not bringing birds with them so the risk is VERY minimal.

God Bless,

 

[evenstargirl]

moodlymoo, i have only two welsummers, but i wonder the same thing! they are the most irritable birds out of my flock. they gang up on the other birds. they had squabbled with my two orpingtons. i thought they were just trying to establish a pecking order... until i came out one morning to find one of the orpington hens with her neck covered in blood. i separated them for a while, and then put them together with a rooster in their mix. that solved the problem quickly, but the welsummers are still extremely skittish and on several occasions have flown at people entering the coop. i haven't had problems with any of my other birds, and the woman i purchased them from said she has never had that problem. i think they are such a beautiful bird, though, and would love to get more eventually....

 

[EweSheep]

It does not sound like a true Welsummer to me when they act so flighty like Leghorns. Most of the time I heard they are usually of unknown stock or hatchery stock. Mine does not fly off but more aloof. Some would get under my feet for treats others will hang back waiting for the treats to be thrown at them.

I also do not breed very nervous, flighty Welsummers of either sex. I want calm or aloof birds that don't spazz out at everything.