Which Breed to add?? Barnevelders or Welsummers???

[steffpeck]

I am trying to decide which breed to add to my flock this spring. Which would you choose and why? Barnevelders or Welsummers?? Thanks for your help and your input!!


Steff

 

[hcammack]

I would defently go with welsummers I have one pullet and she is amazing. They are great birds and very personable. They also lay beautiful dark eggs if you get them from a good source and they are the best dark egg laying breed around. I have heard Barnvelders are not good layers at all and the ones that are here in the US don't lay dark eggs at all

They are beautiful with their patterns but are more like lawn ornaments then anything. I would choose Welsummers I love my girl and was very upset I lost her sister to a fox.

Good Luck with the breed choice,
Henry

 

[Mahonri]

Don't have either, but Welsummers would just match up with Erda. No doubt about it... even Toole or Wendover!

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I had both. The Barnies were by far my favorite of the two because they were "In your pocket" friendly! I miss them alot

The Wellies did not have much personality and were nowhere near as pretty to look at.

 

[Chamelle]

I have both as well. Neither are old enough to lay, so I can't speak for egg production.

For 'personality' I prefer my barnies over every other breed of chicken I've had, including silkies. They have been the calmest most friendly chicks! They hatched out of nice dark eggs I got from Farmer Johan in Conneticut. I believe his stock came from Holland. I had 6 but lost 4 to a puppy attack so now I only have one roo and one pullet. The double lacing and irridescense in their feathering is really pretty.

I'll be working on adding more barnies this year.

My welsummers are pretty girls, and are not at all skittish, although not exactly 'friendly'. They approach if there is food to be had, but otherwise they're not much interested. My welsummer roo is one of the most gorgeous chickens I've ever seen. He's not at all nice though. Not mean yet (cross fingers) but not nice either, and kind of high strung. I did have another wellie roo that I got rid of because his coloring wasn't good, and he had white feet/legs. He was a sweetie.

I just wouldn't have used him for breeding, which I'm planning to do.

So there you have my opinion. I may change my mind if my Barnevelders are terrible layers, but right now they win, hands down. I'm glad I get to have both, though.

;

 

[silkieluvr]

Barnies for temperment (from what I've read), but the welsummers have a beautiful egg color

 

[Chickndaddy]

Both are beautiful birds. The Welsummers will outlay the Barnevelders by far and their egg color is much better. The Barnevelders are gorgeous though. Maybe just get a few Barnies to throw into the mix if you like how they look.