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Question about raising mullards
If you raise mullards for meat, do you use a Muscovy drake and a Mallard-derived duck? Will the reverse work? Thanks for any answers. -
Welsh Harlequin drakes in Dallas TX for sale or trade
Hi everyone, I thought I would try this forum before going to Craig's List. I have too many young drakes, and need to rehome 2 or 3. They are 22 weeks old and in full adult plumage, silver variety. They were hatched from my own birds, originally coming from Metzer stock. They are purebred... -
When do ducklings reach their adult size and weight?
I am raising my first group of home-grown Welsh Harlequins. They are 3 1/2 weeks old now, and everything is going well. At what age can I expect them to be at their adult weight? I don't mean sexual maturity or adult plumage, just size. Thanks! -
Duck sexual behavior
Many, many people have questions about sexual behavior in ducks. Richard O. Prum is an ornithologist and evolutionary biologist who has studied this behavior in ducks and many other birds. He writes extensively about ducks in his book, The Evolution of Beauty. If you want a short preview of... -
When do ducks molt?
My Welsh Harlequins are 15 months old and have been laying almost every day since they were 5 months old, even during the winter. Incredible! I don't use artificial light. When can I expect them to start the annual molt? -
Egg binding in Welsh Harlequins
Over the past few months my one year old Welsh Harlequins have produced an occasional soft-shelled egg. Last week one died after being in distress for several days, despite the usual supportive treatment. I am concerned that this was egg peritonitis. My birds eat a standard 16% layer pellet... -
How to tell if an individual duck is laying?
I have a small flock of Welsh Harlequins, one drake and three ducks. All are 8 to 9 months old. For the past 6 weeks, I have been getting 2 eggs a day consistently. This makes me think that one of the ducks is not laying, but which one? It is easy to tell which of my chickens are laying by...