Welsummers

[amazondoc]

Quote:
That's exactly what I was gonna say. If the most important things to you are color of the bird and production levels, then go with a light brown leghorn. I've got leghorns in 4 different colors right now, and I think they're very attractive. In fact, I'm planning to get 2 more colors this fall.

(ETA -- And I've just got to mention that NONE of my leghorns so far have been crazy as their reputation would have folks believe. IMHO they're ain't nuthin wrong with their temperament, so there!)

But they aren't Welsummers.

I appreciate the leghorns, but I breed the Wellies.

 

[McSpin]

I've been working with welsummers for a few years and have formed some opinions on this. Obviously, most people keep them for the dark egg, so if production is a primary concern, go with something bred primarily for that.

However, I'm not completely on the side of the fence where quantity doesn't matter much. In fact, I put it second in importance. The reason the dark egg is valuable is because there are a good number of people willing to pay more for a dark eating egg. The people actually using this breed to produce eggs for eating are going to be very disappointed in a line where close attention to both quantity and color is not given.

So, both are important. Personally, I will not keep a hen that doesn't produce at least 4-5/wk on average. I want a minimum of 180 egg/yr from a hen or I consider her inadequate to represent the breed. I select the darkest from the hens meeting minimum production. A person can certainly select the darkest from good producing hens and be able to improve the color without harming the production. To me, anything less is a disservice to those wanting my stock.

 

[Krys109uk]

It is unlikely that one will get good dark eggs & high production in the same bird. Dark eggs are a characteristic of the breed; if a Wellie does not lay a dark eggs then really it is not a Wellie.

 

[sephiroth]

Here are various Hypothetical Assertions:

1 "If you want a dark egg just get a Maran."
2 "If you want a producer just get a Leghorn."
3 "If you want a pretty bird get a Macaw."

What if I want a Welsummer though? What qualities should I be breeding for to be doing the best service to the breed? Egg color or production?

The only reason I got into keeping chickens is for eggs. Once into it I realized there are other virutes of keeping them, of course. So naturally my thinking is that a chicken ought to be a producer.

4-5 eggs a week sounds fair. If it's of an endearing color then that's an added bonus.

Truth be told, the reason I am drawn to Welsummer's is because the roos are the most beautiful I've seen and even the hens have quite atttractive shape and coloring as well. I could breed for 'appearance' and end up with a great looking bird that lays one yellow egg a week, but have I done a disservice to the breed?

Interesting points everyone... Maybe none of it matters in the end, but interesting perspective anyhow.

 

[EweSheep]

Very interesting, folks! We certainly love to have you guys in the breed club because each and every one of you that raises and breeds Welsummers have certain goal what you all have in mind.

Tailfeathers, I love the "smooth" coated eggs and the rich tone it gives off really fancies me the most. My hen have produced that color and glad I've kept her. Now I need more of those!!!

Sephiroth, it all depends on what you are looking for and you go for your goals in finding or raising Welsummers that can do both.

 

[rancher hicks]

Isn't it so that unless you use "trap nests" you won't really know who laid what shade of dark and how many?
For example I have 20 hens 21wk olds 8dif breeds, today I got 3 eggs but don't ask me which three laid them.
I do have 4 Dels in a seperate pen and they each laid one egg the other day and one of the eggs is dark and w/ darker specks but I have no idea which hen laid it.
In fact I don't think I have seen "trap nest boxes" for sale in the catalogs. I know my brothers used them for their pigeons.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
IMHO, a Welsummer is a bird of moderation. It is not extremely hefty like a meat bird. It's not extremely svelte like a dedicated egg layer. The eggs are not black. The bird has no crest, no brilliant spangles, and only four toes. It doesn't lay 365 eggs a year.

IMHO, a good Welsummer breeder should strive to maintain the all-aroundness of the bird. Sure, work for nice dark eggs -- but don't sacrifice production to get it. Sure, work for production -- but don't give up egg color to get it. Maintain the balance.

 

[Tailfeathers]

Quote:
Well, that all depends on many different factors. With both my Ameraucanas and Welsummers, I have some pullets and hens that I know exactly who laid the egg by the color and shape. Each of my birds are toe punched at birth so I can keep track of them.

I don't have a 100 birds all running around together so it's not long before I can catch certain birds on the nest and then catch them right after they lay. I cull VERY hard so am constantly ID'ing various different birds that will have to be sold.

Also, with regard to trap nests, I believe it was on BYC that I read of another cheaper and, sort of nifty, way to ID your eggs. This ain't my idea but I like it. Go out at night when the hens are roosted. Take various color viles of food coloring with you. Pour a little into the vent of each hen. Then, Voila! Next morning all you have to do is check each egg for the corresponding color and you'll know which hen is laying which egg.

God Bless,

 

[Tailfeathers]

posted twice. deleted.

 

[Dirt Road]

In fact I don't think I have seen "trap nest boxes" for sale in the catalogs.

Kuhl Corp. sells trap fronts for their nests. Kind of spendy, and I'm not sure if they can be adapted to fit a home made or wooden nest. Also ran across some plans for building a trap nest on the internet, but I can't remember where it was. A search might produce some results. I think it would be well worth while for a breeder of any of the breeds known for egg color or quantity. Just wish the cost wasn't so high both in money and time.

Jim​