Welsummer Question

[bigredfeather]

I have three Welsummer pullets that are 20 weeks old. I was wondering what the typical age is for them to start laying. Two of them are getting very red waddles and combs, which I know is a sign of laying. I know laying age can vary, but there always seems to be an approximate age for a particular breed.

 

[monathequeen]

Five months old now, they should be laying now...I have a Wellsummer also. 2-yrs. old
my first egg was layed on my front porch.........do you have pic's of your Wellsummer ? I would love to compare tham. I cannot upload pic's for some reason........

 

[TammyTX]

My 20 wk old Wellies are not laying yet, either. I haven't even seen them in the nest boxes.

 

[EweSheep]

Mine started around seven months of age and have not had one that started earlier than that.

Breeders VS hatchery bred birds are a big difference when they start laying as well as egg colors.

 

[Dirt Road]

Quote:
Perhaps you could clarify the difference?
Thanks

Jim

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
Mine are from a breeder. The hatching eggs were very dark and speckled. Which one takes longer to lay, breeder or hatchery?

Also, two of my roos have crooked toes. Is this genetic, enviormental, or could it be either?

 

[TammyTX]

I have a roo with crooked toes. He is also shorter than normal. I'm thinking about breeding some for my own use but I will NOT use that roo.

Here's a photo from several weeks ago:

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
That is exactly what my roos toes look like. It's the same toe and same amount of crookedness. My two with crooked toes are bigger than the one with straight toes. Do you know what caused it?

 

[Krys109uk]

Crooked toes can be caused by a number of things. Some causes I've heard/read are genetic, incorrect incubator settings, incorrect nutrition.

 

[Dirt Road]

I've heard all of those reasons over the years, but the most commonly stated reason by far has always been "inbreeding" or genetics.

Jim