[BillyMc]

Hi, I am a new member with very little knowledge on keeping Bantams however a lifelong ambition to keep poultry I got the opportunity early Sept 09 with a visit to a local poultry auction and bought as described as a tio of Welsummer "growers" pullets.
They are growing well however no eggs as yet but within the last fortnight all three are crowing at first light !  Have I got thee Cockerels ?
I have tried to with no avail to determine the male/female of the species only the rude awakening early morn !
Can any one advise me on how to sex the Welsummer ? I believe the cock has a more prodominant comb in deep red colour whereas the female more salmon colour ?
But I cannot tell them apart ? Maybe I do have Three C's ?
If thats the case ! Anyone want any healthy birds ? so i can start again.

[joyfull]

think you may have 3 cockerels there I'm afraid but just to be sure take a look at these pictures on the welsummer bantam clubs pages:-

http://www.welsummerclub.org/Pics%20at%20Shows.htm

I may be wrong but I think you can sex welsumers when very young as the girls have a very distinct strip from their head and down their backs whereas on the boys isn't that stripe more blurred? If so the seller would have known their sex.

[Bigblacktaximan]

Are all 3 definately crowing ?
Its my understanding hens dont crow

I dont suppose youre the first person to fall foul (no pun intended  ) of unscrupulous sellers at poultry auctions

Maybe put your rough location in your profile so folks can see if theyre anywhere close to you if youre offering for repatriation

[Foxy]

If they are look the same, I would suspect they are boys, girls are a lighter colour,will try and dig out some of my photos!

[IMOmimey]

sorry to hijack this thred...but I didnt know welsummers were autosexing!!! I have just hatched 3 little welsumer chix. One has a very dark/black stripe, the other 2 have lighter stripe, and fluff is quite ginger. Is this 2 girls and a boy???

[chickenlady]

sorry to hijack this thred...but I didnt know welsummers were autosexing!!! I have just hatched 3 little welsumer chix. One has a very dark/black stripe, the other 2 have lighter stripe, and fluff is quite ginger. Is this 2 girls and a boy???

I hatched LF and banty welsummers this year, I could tell straight away! the girls have very strong/dark EYELINER  :happy: the boys still had a little but it was very faint also if my memory serves well (will look through my chick pics) the girls had a dark diamond on the top of there heads too.
When the feathers start coming through If the breast feathers are very dark (almost black looking) this is male plummage, the girls have a fawny brown chest

Debbie

[chickenlady]

Found this pic of my first hatch with the welsummers

Ignoring the grey, the black and the yellow chicks. the 2 chipmunk coloured chicks at the back the girl is on the left the boy on the right notice the eyeliner and the dark diamond on her head. the boy still has a little bit but its more fuzzy!the other chipmunk chick at the front is also a girl.
This pic shows the cock at the front, comb difference is very obvious from an early age too, notice the eyliner in the girl again.

Hope this helps 
Debbie

[BillyMc]

Thanks Guy's
What a great response for my first delema ( and not last no doubt )  I firmly believe now they are males !
Oh well , back to the market, knowing a little more with your help !

Billy

[Bigblacktaximan]

what about fattening them upfor the table ?

[Foxy]

what about fattening them upfor the table ?

err from  a welsummer banty? 

[Bigblacktaximan]

oiy foxy,

laugh you may,         people eat quail 

and some people (Ok I mean Me) will eat anything     


besides, obviously I missed the banti part

[joyfull]

sorry to hijack this thred...but I didnt know welsummers were autosexing!!! I have just hatched 3 little welsumer chix. One has a very dark/black stripe, the other 2 have lighter stripe, and fluff is quite ginger. Is this 2 girls and a boy???

IMO I think you have 1 girl there and 2 boys (the boys are very pretty though when grown - typical kellogs cockerels  )

[IMOmimey]

IMO I think you have 1 girl there and 2 boys (the boys are very pretty though when grown - typical kellogs cockerels  )

Ay, they are from my trio, Kellogs. May and Summer. One of the few breeds where, in my opinion, the ladies are at least as pretty, if not prettier than the big handsome cockerel

[IMOmimey]

these are large fowl though

[chickenlady]

I have large fowl and banty and they were both as easy to sex! my big girl who has just started laying in the last couple of days is called Summer too  and our little welsummer banty girl is called Wellie   

Debbie