Welsumer Hens

[mirjam]

I was wondering about the disposition of Welsumers and their egg-laying capabilities. Are they rather docile or aggressive, laid back or flighty?
I'm thinking of adding some to my flock next year...

 

[PurpleChicken]

Welys are awesome birds. Great layers and friendly. Give them lots of attention
as chicks to keep them friendly.

 

[mirjam]

Attention? No Problem. I literally lived in the brooder with my first flock until DH got jealous...

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I have to agree with PC. I have had a hen for a while and I got her at a year old. She was VERY easy to add to my already adjusted YOUNG flock. She never picked on anyone until they picked on her three times in a row than and only than did she every peck at them. They all KNOW she is the boss and she never has to peck...just look at them. She does however require 2 feet of space on either side of her at roost time

She had been laying 5 eggs a week for us and now she is down to three but she is 2 yrs old now AND winter is right around the corner. She doesn't seem to like to lay in the winter. She is very friendly though and very good to the young ones who are now 22 weeks old.

 

[EweSheep]

Love all my Wellies and they are gentle and some will talk to you when you are out there.

The roosters are also gentle as well.

Just be careful who you get the Wellies from, hatchery stock are the worst ones in temperment wise and egg colors. I've seen or friends have had to get rid of them and replace them with good Wellie breeders . There are a few good Wellie breeders in here at BYC! You wont be sorry!

 

[Montana-Hens]

I only have one Welsummer and I am having a less than positive experience with her.

Keep in mind hens are like humans....some of us are nice and others aren't so nice.

My Welsummer is clearly the top of the pecking order and she will chase/peck at some of the "lesser hens" around just for spite the best I can tell. Not to protect the food, nest, coop. She does it anytime, anywhere. She lives with a Brahma, Barred Plymouth Rock and Chantecler, who now all giver her wide bearth.

My Welsummer stoped laying at 10 1/2 hours of sunlight. That is a long part of the year to not be laying.

On the flip side she is beautiful and lays lovely dark speckled eggs.

 

[mirjam]

In light of what Ewesheep is saying, where do you all have gotten your Welsumers from?

 

[HorseFeathers]

Adorable, cute, and when they are grown, pretty terra cotta eggs (except OURS, of course

) and SUUUPER soft feathers!

 

[EweSheep]

Christie (Mothergoose) would be an excellent start. I am sure there are others in here that raises them. All my Wellie girls are from Gordie (he got them from Lowell Barber lines) and Calicowoods.

OK BYCer Wellie breeders, speak up!

 

[Jamie821]

I have nine breeds of chickens and the wells are my definite favorites. Very friendly and if i had to only have one breed it would be them. Aussiesharon and gamebirdsonly both have great welsummers. I got my eggs from both of them and the eggs were veriy dark good packing and out of 22 eggs from them 18 are on day 17 and about to hatch.