Update on Welsummers

[RichmondHens]

Well, after complaining a few weeks ago that I only seemed to be hatching males, and with the theory that I had a fault in the line that was killing the females pre-hatch, two have turned out to be female after all (now almost 5 weeks). Plus I think I have a third (3 weeks old), plus I hatched 4 out of 4 on Friday under a young bantam, no problems (not sexed yet). Senior cock is having a reprieve from the pot for the time being!! Seems to be some truth in the theory that you get a higher proportion of females later on in the year.

Now waiting for the cream legbars to put in an appearance (due tomorrow). I split 6 between a bantam and the incubator, and the 3 in the incubator are "wobbling" so something definitely happening in there.

Also have a bantam who went off and did her own thing and is incubating 12 in the nettles (not sure when they are due but maybe at the weekend).

Watch this space!

[MaureenHall]

I love Welsummers I've got 6, hatched in March. Out of 12 eggs, 8 hatched, 2 boys and 6 girls (sold a boy and a girl). Want to swap a girl or two? (not for boys though)

[RichmondHens]

I think I'm a bit too far away from you Maureen (North Norfolk) for a swop. Yes, I love Welsummers. Their little stripey bodies when they are tiny chicks are just soooo sweet. I have six pure breed Welsummer layers, which combined with this year's pullets should be enough (SHOULD be!) as I have an assortment of cross breeds too, plus all the bantams. OH says we have enough layers now :-) But it's always the dark brown Welsummer eggs which sell best.

[Suechooks]

I'm very partial to the gold duck wing Welsummers.

[RichmondHens]

I'm not familiar with those. Mine are just the "ordinary" brown ones with the golden ruff. Do gold duck wing ones lay dark brown eggs too?

Update on cream legbars - two hatched today (a day early - little boys I think).

[minskey]

Hi RichmondHens,
I have a broody Speckledy sitting on 6 legbar eggs which are due to hatch[hopefully after my dissapointing welsumer episode] on the 2nd. If they do hatch [fingers crossed] which colour chick is male & which colour chick is female?

Ta, minskey

[RichmondHens]

I've not hatched them before, but according to the chap who sold me the eggs (and the breed pointers I've looked at on line) the female is darker with a definite stripe down the back - they look very much like Welsummer chicks. The males are lighter, sort of mottled grey/blond/brown with a definite blond patch on the top of the head.
This morning 3 more eggs pipping, hopefully female!

[Suechooks]

I'm not familiar with those. Mine are just the "ordinary" brown ones with the golden ruff. Do gold duck wing ones lay dark brown eggs too?

Allegedly but unfortunately the one I had started crowing so was returned very fast! He was stunning and I'm told the hens are very similar.

[RichmondHens]

Well update on cream legbars is two boys hatched, one girl. Two struggling to get out - one has broken through but struggling to make progress, despite me taking a bit of shell off. The other shouting and tapping but no breakthrough yet. No 6 showing no sign of life - may be clear for all I know as I didn't bother candling these.

[MaureenHall]

You've got a decent hatch rate there compared to some of the hatchings we've had lately. Well done (what's your secret?)

[HayleyB]

C'mon RH you know the law of the vine................... PICCIES.............

[RichmondHens]

I know Hayley, but I'm crap with technology. I'll try and get hubby to help me.

Latest on cream legbars is no 4 hatched with help ( a female), no 5 has now broken through but not yet completely hatched. No 6 still doing nothing.

Don't know what the secret is Maureen. Earlier in the year I was concerned about the rubbish hatches I had been getting. I generally set some eggs under a bantam and some in the incubator (only a 3 egg R Com but totally brilliant) to " top up" as my bantams can't cover many big eggs. Then transfer incubator hatched chicks to hen when they are dry and standing up. The R Com does it all, so just pop the eggs in and leave, only topping up the water chamber every few days. Day 18 put the hatching tray in and wait for hatching. My husband bought me the R Com as a birthday present a couple of years ago (romantic eh) and it's been great. Until then I had only ever used broodies. I still rate using a hen as the best way, but it's great to watch the eggs hatch in an incubator, which of course you can't do under the hen. Lovely for the children too.

[di]

Congrats on the Legbars!
At seven weeks ours are turning out to be really lovely birds,I've been warned that the boys can become a little feisty,but so far no signs of it from ours.
They've all developed little punk hair styles already...incredibly cute,I'll try to get you a decent pic so you can see what you've got to look forward to!(and maybe you'll fall head over heels in love with one of our boys & decide you just need one!...would make a perfect Daddy!)

[minskey]

Got one pipping & a little hole, I'm at work & dying to get home!

[RichmondHens]

Well update on cream legbars is No 5 hatched in the night (a boy). All 5 fit and well. I shall discard no 6 today as no sign of life. All happily tucked under mother hen.