Welsh Harlequin Breeding Thread - People who are breeding or want to breed their WH's talk

[WH fan]

Hi. The most distinctive differences between gold and silver WH is the silver have blue wingbars. The bronze drake can have either bronze or green - green not as common. Also the bronze drake's neck and head is overlaid with bronze lustre. The photo I have up is of a gold phase drake. Over here in NZ it is the gold that is accepted by the poultry standard. The gold are harder to breed. You will generally get both in a hatch. Hope this helps.

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

Thank you for the info!! But, I am asking about ducklings. If you can tell when they are just brand new? I know how to tell when they are grown, but wanted to know if you could tell now.

 

[WH fan]

Hi. Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, the silver phase ducklings have black down. I will see if I can find it in a website.

 

[WH fan]

A silver drake on the left and a gold girl on the right. Moose Manor Farms website. I have found it fairly accurate, but because I don't know how I can tag them so young, I just count how many of each, and compare later on. Hope this helps.

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

Thank you! That does help. From looking at the picture I think I have some of each, which is fine by me And I "think" my boys are silver. I sure hope so because my first drake was a silver and I loved him so much.

 

[hokankai]

Anyone know of a good source of quality Welsh Harlequin hatching eggs in the Pacific Northwest? I have access to some from a breeding trio from Holderread stock, but they don't have the fawn blushing that I love so much.

This is the duck that caused me to want Welsh Harlies to begin with. So beautiful

 

[GloryGirl]

What about Holderread's Farm itself? It's in Corvallis OR.

 

[hokankai]

They unfortunately don't sell hatching eggs.

 

[GloryGirl]

Oh, I see. I didn't realize you were looking for eggs.

 

[Ravie]

I hate when these threads go quiet, so I'm going to post some pictures! =)

I would be interested to hear what any of you exhibition breeders think of these birds (if you would be so kind). I suspect all but the first girl are a bit washed-out to be show prospects. All the girls have black legs and bills. I know the pictures don't necessarily show that.

Year-old silver girl -


2-year-old silver girl -



Year-old gold and silver boys -



Year-old gold (broody!) hen -