Normal looking Welsh Harlequins?

[SlipperyGoose]

I ordered 6 female Welsh Harlequins from Metzer. Two are "blonde" while the others are getting darker by the day. Is that normal for females or should I be concerned that I accidentally got drakes? I've been listening to their voices but I just can't tell well enough yet. They're only 3 weeks old today.

 

[SlipperyGoose]

Here's a close up of one of the darker ones...

 

[SlipperyGoose]

And here they are going for a quick swim

 

[TLWR]

There are silver and gold phase Welch Harlequins - the dark ones may be gold phase.

 

[SlipperyGoose]

According to Metzer's website: "ours are the more common silver variety" which I take to mean they don't sell the gold versions. . Could Gold phase be like a recessive gene and pops up once in a while?

 

[chickens really]

The first 3 days you can sex Welsh by Bill colour...Dark bills are Drakes and the lighter Bills are Hens.....If you got them before the bills changed colour? Or if you have photos of them that young?...You can tell almost 90% of the time........


Good luck...

 

[SlipperyGoose]

They for sure had light colors bills... Thanks for y'alls input. Interesting to see how they feather out. I still love them so much, and I know they're going to be beautiful no matter what!

 

[chickens really]

They for sure had light colors bills... Thanks for y'alls input. Interesting to see how they feather out. I still love them so much, and I know they're going to be beautiful no matter what!

Also you can get Silver phased and Gold phased from the same hatch........


Best wishes..

 

[chickens really]

I raise Appleyards.....I get Silver and gold also...........

All Ducks are beautiful.......


Cheers!