White Leghorns and Welsumers

[mrcman]

Hi,

I originally had this posted on another section of this site but didn't get any response so I figured I must have it posted on the wrong section and thought best that I try here.

I did a search on this site on Welsumers and found a thread that describes them as terribly aggressive. I planned on ordering 24 Welsumers and 12 White Leghorn chicks for a spring delivery. Will they all co-exist without the Welsumers killing the Leghorns??

Also, are there any recommendations as to a good trustworthy hatchery to order my chicks from??

Thanks for any and all sugestions and help. Tony

 

[satay]

I have welsummers and never found them to be aggressive at all. The girls are really friendly though a little skittish at times. I think you would be fine with a flock of both.

 

[mtnviewfarms]

I have a mixed flock of Welsummers, Barred Rocks, Black Australorps and EEs for a total of
32 pullets and 8 cockerels - two of which are Welsummers. I have never had any problem at all with my Wellies being overly aggressive with other breeds.

I did have two of my original four Wellie Roos that became aggressive with me so I sold them but that can happen with any breed. I think you will be fine with Wellies and Leghorns together - especially if they are raised together.

 

[donrae]

I've never heard Wellies are any more aggressive than other dual purpose breeds. I have two hens in my mixed flock of barred rocks, easter eggers, red hens, wyandottes and leghorn/ee mixes.

I think a lot of "aggression" is linked to overcrowding. 36 birds is a lot, do you have that much space for them?

 

[mrcman]

Thanks for all the help. We do handle our chicks a lot to get them somewhat domesticated, if that's at all possible. But again thanks for your help.

Donrae, I should have explained better on the number of chicks, half are for me and half for my son.

Tony

 

[dretd]

I love Welsummers. We have a mixed flock and never had problems with either one of ours. Good free-rangers, friendly, good layers of large med-dark orangy-brownish eggs. one with spots one without. They both were hatchery stock (from different hatcheries), although I have forgotten which ones.

The first one, Summer, was actually very classic-looking and probably could have been shown except for a few stray feathers on her outer toes. The second one, Autumn, looks kind of Gamey--rangier, lighter weight, small spurs-- and she went broody and raised up a batch of chicks for us. Very good mother--something that Wellies are not known for. I remember reading that there was a strain that looked rangier so I was thinking she was from that strain.

I have gotten chicks via feed stores and they have told me the hatcheries they have used. Never had a chick die on me or one mis-sexed though it does happen (one advantage of the Wellies is boys look different). My flock has come from the following hatcheries: Privett, Murray McMurray, Welp, Meyer and Ideal.

 

[Sasquatchick]

I have 2 barred rocks, 2 rhode island reds, an australorp and a welsumer. My welsumer, "Belle" is by far the most friendly of the bunch. She and my lil doggie Cayla are best friends and hang out together and even snuggle up and sleep together! She is so beautiful, and I believe the brightest of all my girls. I adore her!