Barnevelder photo: Air55 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Welsummer photo: Josh Larios from Seattle, US (CC BY-SA 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Barnevelder vs Welsummer
Two backyard favorites, side by side — egg production, temperament, size, and hardiness, straight from our breed data. Here's how to choose.
The quick verdict
On eggs it's close — expect roughly 150–200 a year from the Barnevelder and 160–220 from the Welsummer.
The Barnevelder lays dark brown eggs; the Welsummer lays dark terracotta brown.
In a hot, humid climate the Welsummer copes better than the Barnevelder.
Choose the Barnevelder if you want…
- Nearly identical on paper — comes down to looks and what's available locally
Choose the Welsummer if you want…
- More eggs — up to 220 a year
- Better through summer heat
Side by side
| Trait | Barnevelder | Welsummer |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Dual purpose | Dual purpose |
| Eggs per year | 150–200 | ✓160–220 |
| Egg color | Dark brown | Dark terracotta brown |
| Egg size | Large | Large |
| Hen weight | 5–6.5 lbs | 5–6 lbs |
| Temperament | Calm and friendly | Friendly and intelligent |
| Cold hardy | Yes | Yes |
| Heat tolerant | No | Yes |
| Broodiness | Rarely broody | Rarely broody |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | Yes |
Egg counts are healthy-hen peaks; real numbers dip in winter, during molt, and as a hen ages. Size a coop for either bird with our coop size calculator.
More head-to-heads
Barnevelder or Welsummer — track whichever you pick
Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal, log their eggs and weight, and let the app show you which hen is really your best layer. Free on iOS and Android.
