Welsummer vs Bielefelder

[Tervuren]

I am planning on Biels in the Spring but recently have been reading about sudden death with the breed; other than that I think they are an ideal dual purpose bird. I am also looking at Dorking, but my main concern is frostbite with their large combs. I see you are in S Idaho. What is your experience with cold tolerance in the Dorkings and the Bielefelder roo? My climate is cold, snow.

I should say this is my first year with chickens. My Dorking’s comb is quite large and it’s making me a little nervous, not gonna lie. It’s gotten down to 25F so far and will keep getting colder. So far so good! I am in a desert, so it is probably easier for me to keep my coop dry? There are also Rose Comb White Dorkings! So you could look into those, I think there are a few breeders on the Livestock Conservancy website. My Bielefelder pullet has a much smaller comb that the Dorking. Not sure if it will grow more or not, but if it stays where it is I’m not concerned.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

New to ALL of this and have been developing a truly mixed flock beginning 6/29/22. For now I have purchased 4 Welsummer pullets (born 8/3) and most recently Bielefelders (to hatch 10/31). From all I am reading I would place my bet on the Bielefelders. I am SO excited at receiving them.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

If your getting an orpington I recommend staying away from hatchery feed store stock ones. I highly recommend getting the more expensive orpingtons from reliable good breeders make sure there english orps and not American standard English orps are the ones that will turn out fluffy. The problem with hatchery stock orps they will not be fluffy at all and tend to be flighty and not so docile at all espically the american standard.

Our TSC buff orps are no joke. I see them in the coop not taking any feces (IYKWIM). They are young things (6/29); I wonder how they will do as they grow to maturity.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

New to ALL of this and have been developing a truly mixed flock beginning 6/29/22. For now I have purchased 4 Welsummer pullets (born 8/3) and most recently Bielefelders (to hatch 10/31). From all I am reading I would place my bet on the Bielefelders. I am SO excited at receiving them.

Let us know what you decide.

Pic heavy
I have several Bielefelders along with Niederrhieners. Both are friendly, eat a lot and forage well and cold hardy. No broodiness yet that I have seen (mine are 8 months tho).
Biels take a LONG time to develop. I got eggs by 6-7 months, about 4 a week from each. I have not seen health problems yet.

Niederrhieners however grow fast, lay sooner and often. The males grow to table weight 4 lbs in 12- 14 weeks, females are no slouch either. No health probs. I did cull a severe cross beak but thats likely genetics. The Nieders are not too friendly when collecting eggs while on the nest..mine peck hard but off the nest they love to be around me.
Sweets, Nugget & Livvy 27wk Bielefelders,
Spatch the cockerel

Momma, 27 wk LC Nieder female. 8lbs

By 7 months the visual size comparison is equal between both, but Biels only about 5 lbs, whereas Niederrhieners females are 8lbs.
17 wk ‘lemon cuckoo’ nieder pullets in an 33 inch tire, 18 inch rim space for reference

12-14 week Niederrhiener cockerels-cull day

Darkest- biels, some with specs, ave 60 g
Cream- Niederrhiener, ave 70g
Pink- brown- Brahma. Green- EE

I got my chicks from Mcmurrays and plan to let hens hatch chicks next year. I plan to keep on with both Bielefelder and Niederrhiener but will DEF use Niederrhiener males for meat as they grow out much faster.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Pic heavy
I have several Bielefelders along with Niederrhieners. Both are friendly, eat a lot and forage well and cold hardy. No broodiness yet that I have seen (mine are 8 months tho).
Biels take a LONG time to develop. I got eggs by 6-7 months, about 4 a week from each. I have not seen health problems yet.

Niederrhieners however grow fast, lay sooner and often. The males grow to table weight 4 lbs in 12- 14 weeks, females are no slouch either. No health probs. I did cull a severe cross beak but thats likely genetics. The Nieders are not too friendly when collecting eggs while on the nest..mine peck hard but off the nest they love to be around me.
Sweets, Nugget & Livvy 27wk Bielefelders,
Spatch the cockerel
View attachment 3304762

Momma, 27 wk LC Nieder female. 8lbs
View attachment 3304763
By 7 months the visual size comparison is equal between both, but Biels only about 5 lbs, whereas Niederrhieners females are 8lbs.
17 wk ‘lemon cuckoo’ nieder pullets in an 33 inch tire, 18 inch rim space for reference
View attachment 3304765

12-14 week Niederrhiener cockerels-cull day
View attachment 3304766

Darkest- biels, some with specs, ave 60 g
Cream- Niederrhiener, ave 70g
Pink- brown- Brahma. Green- EE
View attachment 3304768

I got my chicks from Mcmurrays and plan to let hens hatch chicks next year. I plan to keep on with both Bielefelder and Niederrhiener but will DEF use Niederrhiener males for meat as they grow out much faster.

Wow, this is SO cool. Thanks for all this info.

Ouch!! I have yet to remove an egg. Somebody remind me to get gloves or a gauntlett to get ours LOL!!!