The Welsummer chicken is known for its beautiful plumage, dark brown eggs and friendly disposition, making it an appealing addition to many backyard flocks.

Key Takeaways

• Egg production: Welsummer hens lay approximately 160–200 large, dark brown eggs per year, sometimes with reddish speckles.
• Temperament: Generally friendly, curious and active, Welsummers enjoy foraging but may be noisy.
• Appearance: Hens have patterned brown plumage, while roosters feature striking red, black and green feathers.
• Hardiness: Welsummers are generally hardy birds, although their large single combs can be vulnerable to frostbite.
• Best fit: This dual-purpose breed suits backyard keepers who want attractive birds, brown eggs and an active flock.

History of the Welsummer Chicken

A relatively new breed, the Welsummer was first bred in the Netherlands in the early twentieth century in the village of Welsum near Gelderland. While no one knows who first created the breed, locals are accredited for the original breeding.

The Welsummer chicken was created by breeding Barnvelders, Cochins, Partridge Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, and Wyandottes together. They quickly gained popularity in their homeland for their dark brown speckled eggs.

Welsummers were introduced to England in the 1920s and arrived in America in 1928. In both countries, the breed was met with great enthusiasm, as chicken owners valued them for their attractive appearance and excellent egg-laying abilities. Although the Welsummer gained popularity upon arrival, they eventually fell out of favor, landing them a spot on the Livestock Conservancy’s “Watch” list.

These days, the Welsummer has rebounded and is no longer facing extinction.

What Do Welsummer Chickens Look Like?

The Welsummer comes to mind when most people think of a chicken. The iridescent red and beetle-green sheen on the rooster’s feathers looks like they walked straight out of a children’s storybook. In fact, the Welsummer chicken has such popular looks; it is believed that Cornelius, the Kellogg’s rooster, was first designed after this beautiful breed.

Welsummer roosters sport a lovely blend of red and orange feathers on their head, neck, and back. The wings, tail, and lower body feathers are beetle black with an iridescent green sheen. Combs and wattles are full and fleshy and should be prominent in the roosters. Both hens and roosters feature a large single comb.

The Welsummer hen is equally as beautiful as the rooster, with its head, neck, and body covered in heathery brown feathers speckled with hints of gold and black. The legs and feet on both hens and roosters should be yellow, but laying hens will soon fade to a pale cream.

Chicks hatch a light brown with a wide, dark brown chipmunk stripe running down their backs.

Average Weight:
Hens: 5–6 lbs.
Roosters: 7–8 lbs.

How Many Eggs Do Welsummer Chickens Lay

Welsummer hens are decent layers, averaging one hundred and sixty to two hundred large dark brown eggs annually (about four to five eggs a week). Eggs can vary in color from dark brown to dark brown with reddish speckles.

Egg production usually begins around the age of five to six months and stays consistent for the first two to three years of life. While they are good layers, Welsummers rarely go broody, as the instinct was bred out of them for higher egg production.

Are Welsummer Chickens Good Meat Birds?

Originally bred to be a table bird, the Welsummer soon became more prized for their egg-laying abilities than their meat. However, this dual-purpose breed is still a good addition for those looking to raise their own heritage meat chickens.

Tipping the scales between seven and eight pounds, Welsummer roosters are fast to mature and reach their full weight in a few months. When harvested, the breed is reported to have lean, full breasts and flavorful meat.

Are Welsummer Chickens Friendly?

The Welsummer chicken is considered a docile breed. Hens are friendly and intelligent and enjoy being with their owners and eating treats from their hands. These lively girls are not always the best choice, however, if you are looking for a lap chicken.

Welsummer hens handle confinement well, although they do enjoy being allowed out for supervised free-ranging time. These girls are reported to be very entertaining and enjoy nothing more than scratching for seeds and bugs.

Despite their friendly, docile personality, Welsummers are not the best choice for backyard flocks with close neighbors, as some Welsummer hens can be loud.

Roosters of this breed are usually friendly and can become quite tame with their human family. While some roosters do become aggressive towards humans, this is an unusual trait for the breed. Their calm disposition can interfere with their ability to protect their flock from danger, making them a bad choice for chicken owners looking for a flock guardian.

Both hens and roosters are intelligent and need mental and physical activities to keep them out of trouble.

Welsummer Chicken Health and Care

Welsummers are generally a healthy chicken and are not known to have breed-specific illnesses. Like all single-combed chickens, they can be susceptible to frostbite on their large combs (especially the roosters). The breed can also be prone to external parasites and respiratory diseases.

Due to their hardiness and adaptability, the Welsummer chicken is not as prone to egg-laying problems as other brown egg layers. This trait makes them an ideal breed for those looking for a hardy, healthy egg layer.

How Long Do Welsummer Chickens Live?

Welsummers are reported to live an average of six to nine years. Some sources report that the breed can live up to twelve years.

Welsummer Chicken Behavior and Enrichment

The Welsummer chicken can become bored if it does not receive enough mental and physical stimulation. If bored, they can be more prone to behavioral problems such as egg eating and feather pulling.

Allowing supervised free-ranging time and providing treat balls and other fun activities is a good way to enrich your flock’s lives and prevent behavioral problems.

Did You Know? Welsummer chickens are pattern-sex. After hatching, Welsummer females can be easily distinguished from the males by their darker heads and bold, darker stripe on their backs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What color eggs do Welsummer chickens lay?

Welsummer hens lay dark brown eggs that may have reddish speckles. The amount of speckling varies among individual hens.

How many eggs do Welsummer chickens lay per year?

Welsummer hens typically lay about 160–200 eggs annually, with production often strongest during their first few years of laying.

Are Welsummer chickens good for beginners?

Yes. Their generally friendly, inquisitive temperament makes Welsummers a suitable option for many beginners, provided they have adequate space, proper housing and daily care.

Are Welsummer chickens cold-hardy?

Yes. Welsummers are generally considered cold-hardy, but their large single combs, particularly those of roosters, can be susceptible to frostbite in freezing weather.

Can you tell a Welsummer chick’s sex at hatch?

Welsummer chicks can often be sexed by their down color and back markings. Females typically have darker head markings and more pronounced stripes. Accuracy can vary, so visual identification is not guaranteed.

Is the Welsummer Chicken Right for Your Flock?

The Welsummer chicken offers a combination of dark brown eggs, distinctive plumage and an inquisitive, generally friendly temperament. Although these active birds can be noisy and need opportunities to forage and stay occupied, they can be a good fit for backyard flocks that have room for their activity. For chicken keepers looking for an attractive, hardy breed that provides both eggs and meat, the Welsummer is worth considering.

This article about the Welsummer chicken breed was written for Hobby Farms and Chickens magazines. Click here to subscribe.