Welsummer chick question - leg color & feathering on legs?

[LA~Poulet]

I hatched 2 welsummer chicks this week from very nice dark eggs-one almost like a maran egg and one that was lighter with very dark speckles. The chicks are chipmunk colored with very vivid stripes, one has yellow legs, one has more greenish legs. They both have slight leg feathering (not like my brahma chicks but a definite line of small feathers going down).

Is this common for Welsummers? Do they lose the feathers as they age or is this something else?

 

[sherrydeanne]

Feathers on the legs of Wellies is a fairly common fault, it'll probably stay. The greenish legs is a bit odd, do you want to post pics?

 

[speckledhen]

I agree that the feather stubs on the legs are pretty common. Greenish legs are odd, though.

 

[FrizzleFreak]

Feather legged wellies are unfortunately common in U.S. stock, because of the Partridge Cochin that was introduced, I believe. It's really hard to get rid of in your line.
Legs should be yellow, and not green by any measure.

 

[EweSheep]

According to the standards they should NOT have feather stubs or feathered feets and you would have to cull them out. If this is the only one you really want to keep, then by all means, try to cull the second generation of chicks and thereafter of feathered feet. It is a fault and disqualification. It is common in the US breeding stock like Frizzle was saying. Personally I would cull them out if they do pop up in my flock.

Green or slate legs, nope, it would be a big, big fault and it would not be a Welsummer.

 

[speckledhen]

I agree with culling them out if you are breeding to standard. Mine are just in the laying flock so it really doesn't matter much.

 

[LA~Poulet]

Thanks for your replies! I don't have any pictures taken of them yet, but I can add later for your opinion on the legs. I really just wanted some darker egg layers, but that is good to know if I ever decide to hatch from their eggs that they aren't really standard Welsummers.

 

[LA~Poulet]

Pictures of my two Wellie chicks (they have very striking markings, I'm hoping for pullets). You can see the difference in their leg color, and in the 3rd picture you can also see the foot of a buff brahma chick to compare as well:

Green legs is in the front, doesn't look so green next to the grass

 

[TammyTX]

Aw! They are soo cute!

The one in the front looks like it has a lot of black on it's face. I am no expert and I've had "issues" with my Wellies, but the legs don't look yellow enough.

ETA: That's quite a stance on the front one, too! Big chested thing.

I think I still have an old photo here...yep. Well, her legs don't look that yellow either!!

 

[Tailfeathers]

Hi,

You didn't mention where you got the eggs from but I am guessing it was from a local farmer.

I suggest asking the person who gave you the eggs whether or not they have any Ameraucanas, Araucanas, or Easter Eggers. I would also suggest asking them how they did their breeding.

From the looks of your chicks, I would say you've got at least one Easter Egger. The green-legged chick. You'll notice it also has a different head coloration.

Feather-legs or stubs is common amongst hatchery Welsummer birds but most serious breeders have gotten rid of that DQ.

My guess, and this is only a guess, the person who gave you the eggs has some hatchery Welsummers and probably and Easter Egger or two all running together.

Hope that helps.

God Bless,