Correct Welsh Harlequin Coloring?

[RainbowRabbits]

Why do some of the females have white heads and others are darker? What's the correct coloring for this breed? (I could have sworn I read the Harlequin name was because their heads were different colors).

 

[relicshunter]

The harlequin in the name I believe refers to the ticking on the feathers caused by the harlequin gene not anything to do with the head color. The different head colors ( tan hooding) usually are not permanent and will change as they get their final adult plumage. If you end up with some hooding still it may indicate a more pet quality bird rather than show quality but I see many tones being excepted in the breed.

 

[Aunt Angus]

That is my understanding - that higher quality females have lighter heads. I really couldn't find much about head color in the SOP for females.

I second that the colors change. I only have 1 pet quality Welshie, but her head was very white when her feathers first grew in. When she first molted, her head was quite brown, and I thought it would be that way forever. But after her most recent molt, she's just as white as ever.

 

[RainbowRabbits]

So to clarify, are their heads white or not when they're younger? I just bought some what was supposed to be show quality eggs off of ebay (all of their stock comes from Holderread, Milliman, and Jake and Jean Wilson) but then I noticed in their facebook pictures that some of their hens have REALLY dark heads. How dark can the heads be before knowing if they'll change to white or not?

I'm also noticing now that their feet don't appear to be black

 

[Aunt Angus]

So to clarify, are their heads white or not when they're younger? I just bought some what was supposed to be show quality eggs off of ebay (all of their stock comes from Holderread, Milliman, and Jake and Jean Wilson) but then I noticed in their facebook pictures that some of their hens have REALLY dark heads. How dark can the heads be before knowing if they'll change to white or not?

Here's an example (I'm also noticing now that their feed don't appear to be black )
View attachment 3306819
View attachment 3306820

Well, their bills aren't quite black, so I don't think they're show quality. I think that's one if the big factors. I'll try to find the site where I read that info.

My girl is pet quality, bought from a hatchery. Here is Marmalade:

 

[Aunt Angus]

I can only find Australia's and England's SOP. Both say "dark slate" for feet and bills.

I also looked back at pics of my duck, and her bill didn't get really dark until she got a little older.

How old are your ducklings? Here's Marmalade at 2 weeks. You can see her bill and feet are still greenish/orangeish

And here she is at 4 weeks. Much darker bill and feet. Her fet are nearly black now at 1.5 years.

Maybe yours will get darker?

 

[RainbowRabbits]

I can only find Australia's and England's SOP. Both say "dark slate" for feet and bills.

I also looked back at pics of my duck, and her bill didn't get really dark until she got a little older.

How old are your ducklings? Here's Marmalade at 2 weeks. You can see her bill and feet are still greenish/orangeish
View attachment 3307026

And here she is at 4 weeks. Much darker bill and feet. Her fet are nearly black now at 1.5 years.
View attachment 3307031

Maybe yours will get darker?

Hi thank you. I don’t have any ducklings just hatching eggs. Thank you for sharing!

 

[RainbowRabbits]

Does that mean if the breeder I got my eggs from has adult hens with orange bills that they’re not breeder quality? (some of them have orange bills and feet even though they’re adults)

 

[Aunt Angus]

Does that mean if the breeder I got my eggs from has adult hens with orange bills that they’re not breeder quality? (some of them have orange bills and feet even though they’re adults)

I *believe* so. Let's see of others chime in.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hi thank you. I don’t have any ducklings just hatching eggs. Thank you for sharing!

Ok. Gotcha! I was misunderstanding.