Welsummer Chicken: Breed Profile, Eggs, Height, Size And Care Guide

Last Updated on June 27, 2022 by Pauline G. Carter

Developed around the 1900s, the Dutch breed, Welsummer Chickens, is named from the village of Welsum, Holland. It was originally produced in an area north of Deventer in Holland, along the Ysel River.

Dutch chicken breeders developed the breed from chicken breeds such as the Cochin, Wyandotte, Leghorn, Barnevelder, and also the Rhode Island Red. It is a mixture of wonderful chicken breeds, complying with the American Standard of Perfection way back in 1991.

Welsummer Chicken | Breed Profile

Characteristics Of The Welsummer Chickens

The Welsummer chicken is a large dual-purpose bird. It is extremely popular because of its production of colorful eggs. It is light in color in shades of rustic-red and orange colors. There are variations of color as well; Silver Duckwing, Gold Duckwing, and Partridge.

Another variety is the Bantam Chicken. The Welsummer Chicken lays light-brown eggs. The Welsummer is classified as being a top free-ranging forager out of all the laying chicken breeds. Their eggs are one of their top-selling points.

Not all strains of the Welsummer Chicken will lay such dark eggs. Generally, Welsummer eggs are a deep rich terra-cotta-brown coloring and speckled. You can expect around 4 to 5 eggs every week, but they do slow down their egg-laying in winter.

The chicks too are healthy in comparison to other chicken breeds. The females have darker heads with back markings that make them different from the males. That makes them easy to recognize. The rooster will weigh around 2.75 to 3.25 kg with the hen weighing approximately 2.0 to 2.5 kg.

They stand upright and are full-breasted with a large and full tail. The shanks and skin of the birds are yellow. Their standard coloring is red partridge, but the male chicken’s plumage is different from the females.

The head, saddle, and neck of the male birds are a golden-brown color their backs, wing front and wing bows are bright red-brown in color. The females have a lighter shaft, and each of the back feathers is red-brown and dotted with black. They have a single comb. Their legs are not feathered. They are incredibly colorful birds. The Kellogg’s box chicken rooster is reckoned to be a Welsummer rooster. The Welsummer chicken, for many people, does represent a typical traditional farmyard chicken look.

Behavior / Temperament

Very friendly and intelligent – also calm bird, not tending towards skittishness. They love free-ranging and foraging around for food, but they also seem to tolerate being kept in runs. They don’t go broody often and don’t seem to make perfect mothers. They usually can tolerate all kinds of climates.

Pros and cons of the Welsummer chicken …

Positives

• Full of color.
• Meat producers.
• Hardy.
• Calm and friendly.
• Forage well, love free-ranging.
• Have a long laying season

Negatives

• Can be loud, so not too suitable for the backyard.
• Being lovers of free-ranging, you might need to search around for the eggs.

Is Welsummer Chicken the right choice for you?

Being an all-rounder type of chicken, the Welsummer is the right choice because:

• They are dual-purpose birds, meat producers, and egg producers.
• They are hardy.
• They love to free-range and are excellent foragers.
• Welsummer chickens are kind of hardy birds except for the rooster because they’ve got large single combs and can suffer from frostbite on their combs if the weather is icy cold. The hens have smaller combs than the roosters.
• The Welsummer Chicken is reportedly a bright, intelligent chicken breed. They are good flyers and are especially thoughtful, having the mental capacity to solve problems when they encounter them.
• If you have a flock of Welsummer chickens on your farm, you can expect a whole range of egg colors. However, a Welsummer from a different breeder or with a different bloodline will produce different egg colors. That will depend on the skills of the breeder – he will be able to shift chicken egg colors to create the light or the dark eggs. It is all about the selection pressure that is put on the flock of chickens. Some people will only hatch spotted eggs because that’s what they believe are the real Welsummer eggs.
• All around, as far as Welsummer chickens for sale goes, you get fantastic chickens, showing plenty of friendliness and very little nervous skittishness. They would make the right choice for anyone looking to get into breeding with chickens.

Ultimate Guide To Take Care For Welsummer Chicken

Welsummer chickens are a Dutch breed of chicken developed in the early 20th century. The breed was created by crossing three different types of chickens: Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire Reds, and Barnevelders. The Welsummer is a dual-purpose chicken, raised both for its meat and eggs.

The breed is known for its unique coloring, ranging from golden brown to deep red. Welsummer chickens are also known for their friendly and docile personality.

When it comes to taking care of your Welsummer chickens, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First of all, these chickens do best in cooler climates. So if you live in an area with hot summers, you’ll need to make sure your chickens have access to plenty of water and shade.

Welsummer chickens also need a bit more space than other chicken breeds. Each chicken should have at least 4 square feet of space in the coop and 8-10 square feet of space in the run.

When it comes to diet, Welsummer chickens are not particularly picky eaters. However, they do need a balanced diet to stay healthy. A good diet for Welsummer chickens includes plenty of fresh greens and some protein-rich foods like bugs or worms. You can also supplement your chickens’ diet with high-quality chicken feed.

Welsummer chickens are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to health. However, there are a few things you need to watch out for. These chickens are susceptible to Marek’s disease and respiratory illnesses like colds and bronchitis.

Therefore, it’s important to keep an eye on your chickens for any signs of illness and consult with a veterinarian if you have any concerns.

Overall, Welsummer chickens are a great addition to any backyard flock. These friendly and hardy chickens will provide you with plenty of fresh eggs and tasty meat. With just a little bit of care, your Welsummer chickens will thrive for years!

FAQ: Welsummer Chicken

Are Welsummer good chickens?

Welsummer chickens are a great addition to any backyard flock. These friendly and hardy chickens will provide you with plenty of fresh eggs and tasty meat. With just a little bit of care, your Welsummer chickens will thrive for years!

Do Welsummer chickens need a lot of space?

Welsummer chickens need a bit more space than other chicken breeds. Each chicken should have at least 4 square feet of space in the coop and 8-10 square feet of space in the run.

What do Welsummer chickens eat?

A good diet for Welsummer chickens includes plenty of fresh greens and some protein-rich foods like bugs or worms. You can also supplement your chickens’ diet with high-quality chicken feed.

Are Welsummer chickens susceptible to any health problems?

Welsummer chickens are susceptible to Marek’s disease and respiratory illnesses like colds and bronchitis. Therefore, it’s important to keep an eye on your chickens for any signs of illness and consult with a veterinarian if you have any concerns.

Are Welsummer chickens cold hardy?

Welsummer chickens do best in cooler climates. However, if you live in an area with hot summers, you’ll need to make sure your chickens have access to plenty of water and shade.

Final Verdict: Welsummer Chickens

Welsummer chickens are a rare and beautiful breed that makes great backyard chickens. They are friendly, hardy, and lay large brown eggs. If you’re looking for a conversation piece in your backyard flock, the Welsummer chicken is a perfect choice!