Welsh Harlequin

[hokankai]

I mean, they are pretty but I think call ducks are the ones for me

To each his own.

 

[chickkrzi]

Then maybe this breed isn't the breed for you? They are supposed to be a handsome emerald green

Now that a nice looking Drake.

 

[DuckRaiser]

Hmm, they are beautiful...Are they good pets?

 

[LightningTFarm]

If you don't like the bottle green heads of the "Silver" Welshies, you could get "Golden" WH's from Holderread's. Their heads are more of an olive green/brown. I noticed in this year's catalog that you can now order either one, instead of just getting the luck of the draw.

 

[lakota_elder]

When I ordered from Holderreads I mixed the dozen and asked for 6 of each and got 3 gold drakes, 3 gold hens, 3 silver drakes and 3 silver hens. I actually like the softness of the brown color in the golds.

 

[lakota_elder]

They should be, but if they are juveniles or going through an eclipse molt they may not

The silver harleys have green heads. The gold harleys have a brownish gold head with hints of green when the light hits them right.

 

[subhanalah]

They can get off the ground about 2 to 3' and fly about 10'.   They are really to bottom heavy for flying.  They start laying eggs about 6 to 7 mos.  The females should have almost black beaks around 7 mos and the legs should have started to slowly change by 7 mos.  Sometimes it takes up to a year to get really good darker legs.

Speaking of bill and leg color, how can you tell which of your WH ducks are laying or not? Is there a visible change I their bill or leg coloration like with other breeds?

 

[Amiga]

Put just a little food coloring in her vent. Not invasive, just a dab on her bum. Different color each duck.

 

[DuckRaiser]

Put just a little food coloring in her vent. Not invasive, just a dab on her bum. Different color each duck.

Hey! Long time, no see!

 

[Muse7]

You get to know the shape of each hen's eggs. I know who lays by shape now. But unless the hen's bill isn't black to the tip, she probably isn't laying.
They kind of grey out from half way to the tip of bill during off season. Even my girl with a mottled bill has a black tip when she is laying.

Don't know if that helps.

Liz