If you’ve been raising chickens for a while, trying out an interesting crossbreed—or “designer chickens,” as some like to call them—can add excitement and variety to your flock. Crossing a Cream Legbar with a Welsummer might not be the first combination that comes to mind, but it’s gaining traction among poultry enthusiasts. Backyard chicken owners are finding this hybrid offers an intriguing mix of genetics, egg production, and beautiful feathering patterns.
But what makes Cream Legbar x Welsummer crosses special? Are they the right fit for your coop? Let’s break it down so you can decide if this clever crossbreed deserves a place in your flock.
Meet the Parent Breeds
Before jumping into the hybrid itself, it’s important to understand the traits of the parent breeds—Cream Legbar and Welsummer. Each has unique qualities that contribute to the crossbreed’s characteristics.
Cream Legbar
Hailing from the United Kingdom, Cream Legbars are primarily known for laying beautiful, pastel blue eggs. They’re an auto-sexing breed, meaning you can identify the gender of chicks based on their feather patterns at hatching—a big plus for chicken keepers managing mixed-gender flocks.
Cream Legbars are friendly, curious, and highly active birds. Their slim build and upright posture make them stand out in any group. Beyond their eggs, they’re appreciated for their foraging ability and adaptability, making them well-suited for free-ranging setups.
Welsummer
The Welsummer originated in the Netherlands and is famous for dark, terracotta-brown eggs often speckled with darker spots. These birds are hardy, medium-sized, and have a striking plumage of deep reds, browns, and black.
Welsummers are even-tempered and tend to be calm, making them easy to manage for beginner chicken keepers. They’re excellent foragers as well and hold up nicely in both smaller backyards and larger homestead environments.
What Happens When You Combine Them?
Now that you know the basics of Cream Legbars and Welsummers, you might be wondering what happens when you cross these two popular breeds.
Personality and Disposition
Cream Legbar x Welsummer hybrids inherit the best of both worlds when it comes to temperament. They’re generally friendly like the Cream Legbar, but also steady and laid-back like the Welsummer. This easygoing behavior makes them ideal for chicken owners who enjoy interacting with their flock, whether you’re feeding them treats or letting them explore your yard on lazy afternoons.
Egg Production
If eggs are your primary focus, you’ll love the output from these hybrids. Cream Legbars are known for laying 200–250 blue eggs per year, and Welsummers produce a similar number of eggs but in that gorgeous, speckled brown color. The hybrid often lays eggs with unique hues, ranging from olive green to lighter blue-green shades. The color of the eggs depends on the balance of genetics passed down by each parent.
Visually stunning eggs are not only a conversation starter but also a great way to bring variety to your egg basket if you sell or share your harvest. Beyond their color, these eggs are just as nutritious and flavorful as eggs from purebred chickens.
Appearance
When it comes to looks, Cream Legbar x Welsummer chickens are a real treat for the eyes. These hybrids typically feature a mix of the Welsummer’s bold earth tones and the Cream Legbar’s lighter, creamier patterns. Expect feathering in shades of red, gold, beige, and occasionally grayish tones. Some hybrids might showcase the Cream Legbar’s signature crest on their heads—an adorable trait that adds even more personality to these charming chickens.
Auto-Sexing Traits
One particularly useful trait inherited from the Cream Legbar is the potential for auto-sexing. While not guaranteed in every hybrid, many Cream Legbar x Welsummer chicks can be sexed at hatching based on their feather patterns. This can simplify flock management and allow you to grow your flock with precision.
The Benefits of Keeping Cream Legbar x Welsummer Crossbreeds
Why would you choose this hybrid over a purebred Cream Legbar or Welsummer? Here are just a few reasons:
- Diverse Egg Colors: If you enjoy collecting a rainbow of eggs, these crossbreeds are a fantastic addition to your coop. Their eggs are beautiful and Instagram-worthy.
- Strong Foragers: Both parent breeds are known for foraging, so you can expect the hybrid to thrive in free-range environments. A foraging chicken means reduced feed costs and healthier birds.
- Hardiness: Combining the genetic diversity of these two powerful breeds creates a hybrid that performs well in multiple climates and is generally robust in terms of health.
- Visual Appeal: The crossbreeds’ unique plumage patterns add flair to your flock, making them a standout in any group.
Tips for Raising Cream Legbar x Welsummer Hybrids
Interested in adding this hybrid to your flock? Here are a few practical tips to ensure happy, healthy birds:
- Provide Space to Forage
Both Cream Legbars and Welsummers are active foragers, and their hybrid offspring are no different. Give them plenty of space to explore and scratch for bugs, seeds, and other treats in their environment.
- Choose a Balanced Feed
While they’ll naturally source some of their nutrients through foraging, a high-quality, well-balanced feed is crucial for optimal health and egg production.
- Plan for Their Energy
These hybrids are active and enjoy staying busy. Enrich their environment with things like dust baths, perches, and shaded areas for resting.
- Experiment with Breeding
If you’re raising Cream Legbar and Welsummer purebreds, try hatching some of their hybrid chicks. You might find exciting diversity in their eggs and feathering.
- Keep Records
Track egg production and sizes for your Cream Legbar x Welsummer hybrids. Over time, you’ll be able to identify which birds are the most productive or offer the most attractive eggs.
Are Cream Legbar x Welsummer Crossbreeds Right for You?
If you’re after high-quality egg production, a variety of egg colors, stunning birds, and easygoing temperaments, Cream Legbar x Welsummer hybrids definitely deserve your consideration. They’re a great choice for both seasoned poultry enthusiasts and backyard beginners looking for something unique.
Whether you’re focused on aesthetics, hardiness, or egg diversity, this charming hybrid has so much to offer. With proper care and a healthy environment, they’ll quickly become standout members of your flock.