Recent content by Muse7
-
Welsh Harlequin
I agree with silk spider, a hen with a yellow bill. I have one with a mostly yellow bill and orange feet, but it's still a girl if it quacks. Drakes have hushed harsh tones. Best, Liz -
Welsh Harlequin
People say the Runners are horrible moms too, but my Blue runner hen raised my first batch of ducklings when she was only two weeks, and I put all my new babies with her first to introduce them to the flock. She is also the only hen in my flock who tried to go broody this year. I found her... -
Welsh Harlequin
One of my girls doesn't have a speculum color bar on her wing either. She two is a little on the Mallardish markings side. She still lays eggs pretty well. Not my best layer, but I don't think that has anything to do with the color bar being absent. Best, Liz -
Welsh Harlequin
Those are probably Silver phase WH hens. that's what they look like. The one with the dark head is pretty light for a drake. Probably will feather out lighter and a soft kind of red/brown. Or, it will make a complete liar of me and turn dark brown or green and be a drake. Best of luck Liz :) -
Paralyzed Chicken
OK. I am going to preface this with the fact that I have ducks not chickens. But for two years my little welsh harlequin, was absolutely fine, then all of he sudden this year, she has had several paralysis episodes that have been related to laying. The first time it happened, I though I was...- Muse7
- Post #19
- Forum: Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures
-
Welsh Harlequin
Depending on how old they actually are, Teenager is not a good reference, number of weeks since hatch is much easier to follow. At any rate, They could still be hens. THis looks like their first feather and they can change drastically in the next feathering. Are they quacking or peep rasping... -
Welsh Harlequin
Looks more like two drakes and a duck. I see two curly tail feathers one on either side of the hen. Poor baby is gonna get beat up when those boys go into season. Liz -
Welsh Harlequin
Oops, missed the part about 7 weeks. You should definitely be able to voice sex at this point. Liz -
Welsh Harlequin
Depending on the age. Because this may not be the last feathering. but form current Bill color and head color, the one closest looks like a Drake. No curly tail feather yet, though. So.... At this point you may be able to voice sex it. If it has a harsh quiet raspy voice (Drake). If it... -
Welsh Harlequin
If you handle your Runners while they are little (calmly) and if you raise them with your Harlequins, I have found that the runners tend to be much less skiddish. I kept hearing about how Runners were not good moms and are very flighty. My two have been handled since they were 1 day old and... -
Welsh Harlequin
Welsh Harlequins will lay well for about 5 years, provided your not pushing them with Winter light. Then they start to slow down, but will still be decent layers for about another year or two (compared to most chickens). Life expectancy is 10 to 15 years. -
-
Welsh Harlequin
I am celebrating today. I am also strongly considering changing the name of my Gold phase hen from Princes to Miracle. Yesterday I got home at about pm to find her having gone from chasing the other girls away from the food and showing off in the morning, to lying limply in a corner of the... -
Welsh Harlequin
Nice Pic of the difference on the little girls and boys. Liz -
Welsh Harlequin
Be careful it does not bond to you. If it does not get enough time with other ducks it can have a great deal of trouble understanding it is a duck. It really isn't a good idea to get just one duckling. At least 2 so that they can be used to your handling but can bond to each other as ducks. Liz