Appleyard vs. Welsh Harlequin ducks

[FunkyFarmFlocks]

If you're still undecided between the 2 breeds that you love, I may have a suggestion! Get both! One of each of however many that you'd like! Other breeds get along with each other no differently than ducks of the same breed. If you are raising them together, it'll be no issue at all. Both breeds are very beautiful! I have one of each and had another SA last year that the neighbor's dog unfortunately got to. SA's are very docile and seem to get more beautiful as they grow. I'm still a little new with the Welshs but mine has been very quiet and friendly with the younger ducks.

 

[Fiasco]

If you're still undecided between the 2 breeds that you love, I may have a suggestion! Get both! One of each of however many that you'd like! Other breeds get along with each other no differently than ducks of the same breed. If you are raising them together, it'll be no issue at all. Both breeds are very beautiful! I have one of each and had another SA last year that the neighbor's dog unfortunately got to. SA's are very docile and seem to get more beautiful as they grow. I'm still a little new with the Welshs but mine has been very quiet and friendly with the younger ducks.

Haha, not a bad idea! If I wan't planning on selling those ducklings, I'd go 50/50 and have fun! Maybe someday!

I think I'll probably go with the Welsh Harlequins in the end. Since they're smaller, I think they'll eat less feed, need less space, and hopefully poo a bit less! Also, I asked on a local FB page about poultry, and there seems to be a good market for them locally. Another thought I had is since they're related to the Khaki Campbells, I can market the ducklings with this explanation and maybe get some people who were originally looking for the Khaki's and like this color better!

Thanks so much for all of your help and advice, everyone...I really appreciate it!

 

[Cornfedup]

I don’t have any information for you on adults, but had to share that I recently received nine Welsh Harlequin ducklings by mistake from a hatchery. I intended to rehome them ASAP as I just don’t have room for “oopsie” ducks, but after having them for a few days, I’m torn. They are the friendliest, most easily handled ducklings I’ve ever worked with. I’m currently brooding two other breeds with them but the Welshies win the personality contest hands down!! They prefer to eat from my hands rather then the feeder, climb all over me if given the chance, and come running TO me - not away - when they see my head pop over the top of the brooder. They’re totally winning me over!

 

[Julie Birb]

I don’t have any information for you on adults, but had to share that I recently received nine Welsh Harlequin ducklings by mistake from a hatchery. I intended to rehome them ASAP as I just don’t have room for “oopsie” ducks, but after having them for a few days, I’m torn. They are the friendliest, most easily handled ducklings I’ve ever worked with. I’m currently brooding two other breeds with them but the Welshies win the personality contest hands down!! They prefer to eat from my hands rather then the feeder, climb all over me if given the chance, and come running TO me - not away - when they see my head pop over the top of the brooder. They’re totally winning me over!

That is so sweet.

 

[LLee34]

OK, here are pics of my SWH ducks, male and female, resting on the tall grass mounds. They like their morning and afternoon naps, a quick swim in their little pond (very little but fed 24/7 by an artesian spring) several times per day, and of course food. I feed them chick starter/grower, non-GMO, no extra calcium. Their eggshells are quite hard and most of the eggs are size of a jumbo chicken egg. Larger ducks would eat more food, natch, but the eggs aren't that different in size. My ducks don't fly, they have tried but even with a bit of a lift, they never fly anywhere near as good as a chicken, if you have a fence 3 feet high, they won't clear it.

 

[Julie Birb]

Look at those sweet ducks in the grass.

 

[Fiasco]

I don’t have any information for you on adults, but had to share that I recently received nine Welsh Harlequin ducklings by mistake from a hatchery. I intended to rehome them ASAP as I just don’t have room for “oopsie” ducks, but after having them for a few days, I’m torn. They are the friendliest, most easily handled ducklings I’ve ever worked with. I’m currently brooding two other breeds with them but the Welshies win the personality contest hands down!! They prefer to eat from my hands rather then the feeder, climb all over me if given the chance, and come running TO me - not away - when they see my head pop over the top of the brooder. They’re totally winning me over!

Aww, that's so sweet! I keep reading wonderful things about the Welsh Harlequins like that...man, it's hard to wait long enough to finish setting up before I get them!

 

[Fiasco]

OK, here are pics of my SWH ducks, male and female, resting on the tall grass mounds. They like their morning and afternoon naps, a quick swim in their little pond (very little but fed 24/7 by an artesian spring) several times per day, and of course food. I feed them chick starter/grower, non-GMO, no extra calcium. Their eggshells are quite hard and most of the eggs are size of a jumbo chicken egg. Larger ducks would eat more food, natch, but the eggs aren't that different in size. My ducks don't fly, they have tried but even with a bit of a lift, they never fly anywhere near as good as a chicken, if you have a fence 3 feet high, they won't clear it.View attachment 1360331

Thanks so much, that's a great picture! They look so cute I had a feeling about the feed conversion, that just makes them so much the better for me! A 3-foot fence, that sounds really good, I was expecting at least 5... At first I thought that all ducks flew as well as wild ones, haha!

 

[onaharley]

Oh I am so happy for you!!! You got some great advice here and I can't wait to see your duckling pictures you get them, please keep us posted when your little bundles of joy come!!

 

[Fiasco]

Oh I am so happy for you!!! You got some great advice here and I can't wait to see your duckling pictures you get them, please keep us posted when your little bundles of joy come!!

Thanks! I sure will, I imagine I'm going to be taking a million pictures of the poor little guys! I'll post some of them here when I do. I'm getting more excited all of the time!!