Totally frustrated.....These can't be Welsummer eggs!!!!

[LoneCowboy]

Just think of it this way. Yes, life is at stake, but if you didn't hatch them, somebody would eat them.

Did you address the fact that they sent them too early? I'd suggest that you go ahead and set them, and maybe make of of the cheap easy home bators as a hatcher so you don't have them hatching at different times in the same bator. That wouldn't be good, because they need different humidity levels.

 

[mothergoose]

Jeaucamom,
I am sorry that Stromburg's squashed your high hopes...They are a sad represantation of the breed, but I too would go ahead and set them. Everyone starts somewhere. The plus side with those eggs as a start is the only direction you can go with the eggs is darker. You will have something to work towards.
I do know one of the breeders that supplies eggs for Stromburgs. He is an APA judge and raises welsummers among many other breeds. Unfortunatly when you breed to the standard, sometimes when all the focus is on type, egg color gets lost in the meantime. The birds you hatch from those eggs, could very well be a perfect represntation of the breed as far as looks.
My welsummers lay for the most part fairly dark eggs, but I do get lighter eggs too, those usually are heavily speckeled. I think they are beautiful. But, I only set and ship the darkest I have. Unfortunatly most hatcheries work on volume and little details like "egg selection for color" are not considered necessary.
If my hens were laying, I would gladly ship you some eggs, but they are still on their laying holiday. I have you on the list and will let you know as soon as they are back in full swing.
I know it does'nt help now, but darker eggs will be coming...
Christie

 

[jeaucamom]

Thanks Christie.

And that APA judge is exactly who the eggs came from according to Strombergs. They will be going into the bator in about 5 minutes. Hopefully we will get some pretty birds that will lay some darker eggs. We will be eagerly waiting for your beautiful eggs when they are ready!

 

[speckledhen]

You will be very pleased with Christie's eggs; they're amazing!

 

[mothergoose]

Susanna,
Definetly give them a try. Another thing about his birds. He has maintained closed flocks since the 1950's. Because of that, his stock is some of the purest you can find in the USA, but on the downside, things like egg color and vitality are lacking. The best thing you can do for his strain is to out cross with another line of welsummers. You do that and work on those to faults and you will end up with winning flock in every aspect!
Good luck,
Christie


Cyn,
Thanks again for the wonderful compliment.
Christie

 

[EweSheep]

FYI BYC folks!

None of my Wellies are in breeding pen nor do I have a rooster. I mainly use them for egg laying unless one of the girls lay a very exceptional dark egg, then I would try to find her a mate. Other than that, I have NO hatching eggs and all of my Welsummers are from Calicowoods and Christie's lines and one from Gordie which I have no idea what line he was using.

Folks, if you are serious about getting some Welsummers, try to hatch some of Christie's and their dispositions are TOPS! Better than my Blue Orps grumpy dispostion

 

[jeaucamom]

Christie, I set the eggs and they are a turning as we speak, it will definitely be an experiment. But I was wondering what you meant by lack of vitality???

 

[mothergoose]

Susanna,
Generally, in situations were you keep a totally closed flock. You over time end up breeding back to the same birds, generation after generation. In doing that they tend to have less vigor and are just not as strong. Mortality tends to be higher in those situations.
There are pluses and minuses in keeping a closed flock. You maintain a pure line and keep out disease, but your line over time becomes weaker.
You may have to baby those chicks a little more, but once they are mature and you cross them with another line, you should notice an improvement in mortality and overall vigor in the next generation.
Christie

 

[MaransGuy]

It is a lot more challenging to breed for both type and egg color as selecting for one usually does not support the other at the same time. I got my marans from Bev Davis in Florida. While her type is very good, it is still a work in progress. The main thing she selects for is egg color, bird color and type come second. To me, that is the most important thing. It really is a matter of personal choice as to what you want more, egg color or excellent type. Hopefully, one day we will not have to choose!

Richard

 

[jeaucamom]

I have severe egg envy. I am on Bev's waiting list for Wheaton Marans and I can't wait to get them!!!!!