Welsummer Chickens

Breed Rating (32 Reviews)

Appearance
Friendliness
Hardiness
Egg
Garden

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Welsummer History

The Welsummer is named after the village of Welsum in Holland although the breed was originally developed in the area along the river Ysel to the north of Deventer, Holland at about the same time as the Barnevelders (1900-1913). The Dutch bred it from the partridge Cochin, partridge Wyandotte and partridge Leghorn, the Barnevelder and Rhode Island Red. It was first imported into this country in 1928 for its large brown egg. The Welsummer is a large, upright, active bird with a broad back, full breast and large full tail. They head has a single comb, medium wattles, almond shaped ear lobes and a strong, short beak. They have yellow legs which fade to pale yellow in summer and reddish bay eyes.

Welsummer Behaviour

Welsummers lay lovely large eggs and the dark brown pigment can actually be rubbed off as it is added at the end of the egg laying sequence. They do go broody but not usually until late Spring but are not particularly good mothers. Chicks are strong and are easily sexed as females have much darker head and back markings than males. They lay fewer eggs during the winter. They are friendly, easily handled birds which love to free range and forage for food but can also be kept in runs quite happily. They are productive for 3 years of their 9 year lifespan.

Welsummer Varieties

Silver Duckwing, gold and black-red partridge.

Welsummer Status

Fairly common

Welsummer Pictures

A welsummer chicken inside some chicken fencing.

Welsummer chicks looking in the mirror - they love it.

four brown and white chickens stood in a garden

an orange chicken in front of a red eglu classic chicken coop

My beautiful welsummer girl aged 19 weeks

Welsummer For Sale

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Latest Reviews For Welsummer (5 of 34)

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Based on 34 Verified Reviews

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Welsummer wonders - Jenny, 17 July 2025

Raised from eggs, my Welsummers are a welcome addition to the flock. They integrated quickly and are very friendly with other chickens and humans. Their dark brown eggs are popular too!

Excellent hens if looked after propwrly - Rachael, 17 April 2025

Great layers friendly top hens 30 years owning them need to be clean and fed properly

Great breed all year round - Rac, 26 December 2024

Fantastic breed had 30years neck very fail to lay and reproduce its how you raise them

Bred for years perfect hens if kept right - Rachael, 15 November 2024

Perfect hens if kept right

- Melissa, 26 July 2024

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Breeder Clubs for Welsummer

Welsummer Club

Email: webmaster@welsummerclub.org

Telephone: 01952 460274