Welsummers

     Welsummers are a Dutch breed that originated from Holland in the early twentieth century.  Taking it's name from the village of Welsum, this breed was produced by a local farmer who lived there.  It was said this farmer crossed the Barnevelders with other native birds to obtain a stable cross.  The Welsummer is also thought to be made up of Danish Brown Leghorns and Marans.  The American Poultry Association Standard for this breed calls for a clean leg.  However, many lines of Welsummers exhibit a light feathering on the leg.  This is where Marans are thought to have contributed to the genetic.  
     The Welsummers lay a beautiful terra cotta colored egg that is more consistent in it's color than that of the Marans.  They are good foragers of a hardy nature.  Unlike the Brown Leghorn, the Welsummer is more docile in nature making them popular with breeders who want a less flighty bird with the same color pattern as the Danish Brown Leghorn. 
     The most famous Welsummer of all is Cornelius.  Cornelius is the spokes rooster for Kellogg Corn Flakes.  Breakfast anyone?  The Welsummer was accepted into the American Poultry Association in 1991.

The Welsummer Cockeral in the above photo is of the pure Grisham Line.  This Line of Welsummers was owned by Prince Charles himself.  This beautiful cockeral belongs to our Junior Member, Mr. Ari Katz of Flying Hen Farms in Maryland.  HPBAA would like to thank Ari for preserving this line of Welsummer.

    
The Welsummer hen in the photo above belongs to Ms. Jamie Miller of Rolling Acre Farm.  This hen is a Pure Lowell Barber Line Female.  Rolling Acre Farm is working to preserve this line of Welsummers and improve the quality of their genetic make up.

The Welsummer rooster in the photo to the left belongs to Ms. Bonnie Van Meter of Imaginary Alpaca Ranch & Chickens.  Bonnie has several known lines of Welsummers and is striving to improve the breed.  HPBAA would like to thank Bonnie for her hard work. 

The Wellsummer Rooster in the bottom photo to the left is the Lowell Barber Line of Welsummer.  This bird belong to one of our Founding Members, Ms. Jamie Miller of Rolling Acre Farm in Niota, Tennessee.