Unsecure chicken perches

[Sara-W]

I bought 4 2 day old chicks from Wernlas last year 3 Welbars and 1 light sussex, I thought as the welbars are an autosexing breed I was safe there and decided to take a chance with the light sussex chick and hoped for a girl.

Well.....I have now got 3 cockerels

2 Welbar

1 Light Sussex

I was expecting the light sussex to be a cockerel (he is crowing and has a bigger comb and wattles since this pic) but really quite shocked at the welbars I don't know what to do now should I contact wernlas about the welbars I don't want to cause any embarrassment they are such lovely boys What would you all do? Any opinions or advice would be much appreciated Thank you

[Lewis]

Are you sure about the first 2?

They both look different, so I'd have thought 1 was a hen

 

I'd definately contact them and see what they say ... Would only be embarrasing for them, not you

[Sara-W]

Thank you for your reply Unfortunately they are both crowing and look completely different to the other welbar

[Lewis]

Ahh.

I'd contact them and see what they say - ideally they'll replace them, thats if they have any

[Egluntyne]

Have you tried a city farm or petting zoo?

 

What about offering them on the **Omlet Marketplace**

 

Other chicken keeping keeping fora have sections where you can offer them.

[Plum]

They are beautiful boys, what a shame. If Wernlas sold them as sexed you should get replacements without question. It's worth a call.

 

Welbar lover here

[Plum]

Just a thought you could try http://www.jamescoffeeshop.co.uk/birds_available_now.htm where I got my Welbar. He says he has to look hard to find new blood to keep his line good, so he might be interested in one.

[TAJ]

I would contact them - Wernlas charge a lot more for the 'bar' birds from a day old than others purely as they are sexed, so they do need to know.

 

Tracy

[Redwing]

I agree do get back in touch with them

 

Welbars are a little more sought after than most so you may be able to rehome these ok if Wernlas dont want them back

[Sara-W]

Thank you everyone for your excellent advice (as always!) I will phone Wernlas tomorrow and see what they say hopefully there will be a good outcome

[TAJ]

Thank you everyone for your excellent advice (as always!) I will phone Wernlas tomorrow and see what they say hopefully there will be a good outcome

 

They are closed Mondays - they were open today though because I rang them about bumper bits.

 

Tracy

[Sara-W]

Forgot they were closed on Mondays! Thanks for reminding me, I'll phone on Tuesday

[Lewis]

Thank you everyone for your excellent advice (as always!) I will phone Wernlas tomorrow and see what they say hopefully there will be a good outcome

Let us know what they say

[Sara-W]

Phoned Wernlas this morning but sorry to say that they were not very helpful

 

I informed them that 2 of the welbars were cockerels, I was offered 2 day old welbar chicks which I didn't think was fair as I had raised the cockerels for 21 weeks when they were supposed to be guarranteed girls. I was then told that I could have 2 POL welbars at a cut price which I still wasn't happy with

Then I was told that I could have one free hen and he would speak to me after seeing the cockerels.

I wanted to know what would happen to the cockerels if I took them back and he said he couldn't guarrantee that they wouldn't be dispatched as he may not have room to house them In which case I would prefer to rehome them myself as they are such lovely boys.

I got the distinct impression that he did not believe me and as it is a 2 1/2 hours drive to Wernlas from here I am not prepared to put the cockerels through the stress of travelling there just to prove it.

[Redwing]

I'm surprised they werent a bit more helpful however I bet they do get people trying it on with them, your photo of two cockerels could be anyones cockerels, perhaps he can tell more when they are up close? I know my Wernlas birds have toe punches so perhaps thats what he will look for or perhaps he will be able to tell tale tale signs of his own strain of birds?

 

I dont think for a second that they sold you boys on purpose (and I know you dont think this either) however in general I have seen quite a few posts on here from people in similar positions who feel 'emotionally cornered' by the belief or hints that their boys will be put down if they go back and its a very tricky situation and the breeders gains by getting your money and doesnt have to deal with your cockerels and the poor purchaser always loses

 

From his point of view if he now gives you girls without taking the cockerels back he is putting you in a position where you could breed and profit from these quite rare birds so do bear that in mind

 

I'm rambling now but my gut feeling is to return with the cockerels and get your POL girls as at the end of the day they must pay for the mistake but try and talk them in to letting you try to rehome the cockerels yourself when you are there. The cockerels will not be stressed by the journey if they are in a nice dark box

 

I have been on the receiving end of a Wernlas mix up too, a bird I paid a lot of money for that was supposed to lay green eggs is in fact something completely different, I didnt phone to complain but part of me feels a bit done I must admit

 

Did he offer any explaination as to how two cockerels slipped through the autosexing process?

[Patricia W]

I had a similar problem but not with Wernlas. I took 4 out of 6 back,( 2 hour drive each way so 4 hour round trip) I was convinced by the breeder that 3 were girls after all ( and she was right). She kept the cockerel but I didn't get any money back or a replacement - but I had a good price for the 6 in the first place so was not too upset.

 

The girls were let out for about half an hour for water and a peck around then we set off back! They seemed none the worse for wear with the experience and it settled my mind.

 

Tricia