Welsummers are a rare breed of chicken with Dutch origins, named after the village of Welsum, Holland. They are coveted for the dark reddish-brown speckled eggs. Welsummers are still considered fairly new to North America, imported in the early 1900s. They adapt well to any environment and are excellent foragers. The roosters of this breed are a beautiful sight, and in fact, the rooster you find on the Kellogg’s Cornflake cereal box is a Welsummer named Cornelius.
The Welsummer egg is especially notable and a favorite for egg baskets. They range in a variety of reddish brown colors from terracotta to mahogany, with varying amounts of brown speckles. No two eggs are alike. You can expect around 3-5 brown speckled eggs weekly.
Average mature weight: Roosters 7 lbs., Hens 6 lbs.