Welsummer Chicken Breed | Complete Guide (with Pictures)
The Welsummer chicken breed is popular for good reason. They are prolific egg layers, have dark brown eggs, and are excellent foragers.
We raise Welsummer chickens on our homestead. They are skittish and not that friendly but they make up for it in excellent egg production with a lower grain ration requirement. This is due to their excellent foraging ability if they free range or have access to the outdoors.
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If you are looking for a more friendly breed that is also a good egg layer, barred plymouth rock is a better bet!
History
The Welsummer is a relatively new breed to North America. However, it was developed in Holland in the early 1900s. The breed takes its name from the village of Welsum, where a farmer began crossing Barnevelders with the native birds until he obtained a stable cross.
Characteristics and Appearance
Average Size
- Cock (Male fowl over 1 year old) 7lbs
- Cockerel (Male fowl under 1 year of age) 6lbs
- Hen (Female fowl over 1 year old) 6lbs
- Pullet (Female fowl less than 1 year old) 5lbs
Color of Male and Female Birds
Beak: Yellow.
Eyes: Reddish-Brown
Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes: Bright red
Shanks and Toes: Yellow.
Plumage: Males have a rich golden brown to reddish brown head. Additionally, the body are black with some red spots. Their tail is primarily black with some brown and the wings are reddish brown.
Females are primarily reddish brown with a stippling of black or gray on some feathers.
Comb Type
Single Comb
Breed Type
Welsummer is in the continental class of chicken breeds. Continental breeds originated in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. They are known to often be full of energy. They are unlikely to go broody.
It was admitted to the American Poultry Association in 1991.
Temperament
- Skittish, however, some are docile
- Excellent Forager, one of the best among egg laying chickens
Coop and Housing Requirements
Like most domestic chickens, a coop for this breed is essential for protection from weather and predators.
Even though Welsummers can handle both heat and cold but will lay the most eggs when conditions are closer to ideal. Proper housing helps achieve these ideals and makes it more comfortable for the chickens.
Egg Color
Lays beautiful dark reddish brown eggs with speckles.
Egg Size
Welsummer pullets will start out laying medium size eggs. However, when fully grown the egg size will increase slightly. Our pullets lay eggs around 60 grams in weight or 2 ounces.
Egg Production
The Welsummer chicken breed begins to lay eggs around twenty weeks old. After that, it lays on average around 200-280 eggs per year
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Welsummer chicken is 6-8 years.
Conclusion
The Welsummer chicken breed is an excellent addition to a backyard flock raised for eggs. This is due to their high egg productivity, beautiful dark brown speckled eggs, and they are one of the best foragers among chickens raised for egg production.
