Welsummer chickens come to us from the village of Welsum in jap Holland. First arriving in the US in 1928, this breed is cherished for its good-looking look and its prolific egg laying.
Bodily Attributes
Welsummer chickens are mid-size, upright birds with a wide again, complete breast, massive complete tail and a unmarried comb. The unique plumage shade is a red-and-black partridge trend. This selection entered the American Usual of Perfection in 1991. Even though different sorts at the moment are to be had, partridge stays the most well liked.
One explanation why for the iconic acclaim for the partridge selection is that it’s autosexing. Newly hatched pullets vary from the little cockerels by way of having darker markings on their heads and backs.
Welsummers are a quick rising breed. Roosters mature to round 7 kilos, hens to six kilos.
Breed Qualities
Even though Welsummer chickens make just right meat birds, they’re maximum continuously regarded as layers. The hens get started laying at 5 – 6 months of age and can produce 200 or extra medium to very large eggs in line with 12 months.
The eggshells are more than a few sun shades of darkish brown, continuously wearing darker brown speckles. As with different breeds that lay eggs with brown shells, the colour will get lighter because the laying cycle progresses. After the autumn molt, the shells will probably be darker and the eggs will probably be somewhat better than the ones of the former 12 months.
The trade-off for just right egg manufacturing is that Welsummer hens seldom brood. After they do, they aren’t particularly just right moms.
Welsummers are an all-climate breed that adapts neatly to each cold and hot prerequisites. Which is sensible, because the temperatures of their house the city of Welsum can dip underneath freezing in wintry weather, but succeed in 90°F within the warmth of summer time.
Welsummers are lively, inquisitive chickens that revel in foraging. They’re one of the best breeds without spending a dime ranging, and their multi-color plumage trend makes them much less most probably to draw predators.
This breed is pleasant and docile, and by no means competitive. Welsummer chickens make a lovely addition to any yard flock.
Useful Hyperlinks
What’s the Distinction between Intercourse Hyperlink and Autosex Chickens?
The best way to Inform Which Chicken Has Began Laying
Welsummer Chickens Introduced by way of Cackle Hatchery®
Authentic Welsummer Membership of North The usa
And that’s these days’s information from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has written a large number of books about poultry, together with The Rooster Encyclopedia.