Expanding my flock, any recommendations as to the breed?

[Nebraskagirl]

Ohh there is that beautiful Crackers again! He was such a brave drake!

I have a pic of my Welsh drake Peaches (my 6 year old daughter named him...and yes she knew he was a boy...lol)


Here is my Welsh girl with the same drake:


They were both born in the spring of 2012 on the same farm, different moms. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

 

[nthm94]

I have to advocate Welsh Harlequins. I've had at least four breeds in the past years I've owned ducks and they are my favorite. They are just as friendly and outgoing as pekins, and they're prettier, better parents, and really good layers. The females especially can have really pretty feather patterns. Some even turn out almost snow white with black and brown flecking! Here are some pictures of my current girls and Crackers, my drake who just passed away after valiantly defending his girl from a predator and sacrificing himself in the process:

Also, it seems we're about four hours from each other

If you're waiting till spring to get these guys, I'll happily give you some ducklings from my 'test batch' when the girls start laying again.

Oh he's absolutely magnificient, such a regal bearing! I'm so sorry for your loss. That picture has decided it for me though; Welsh Harlequins it is!
As for your offer of the ducklings, I think I will have to take you up on that! We'll have to keep in touch, I would love to include two of them into my flock. I'm not too picky as to genders, I suppose I can only take one male however. But two girls, or one of each would make a perfect fit. I do have a few questions for you though: What is your experience with the ducks brooding? Could I consider them reliable surrogates, or as "designated mothers?"
How do they do with other breeds? I'm not concerned about fighting or anything, I would just love to see my runners integrate with the Harlequins.
And lastly, winter weather. How do they fare during the frigid weather? Are they as hardy as most other breeds?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ohh there is that beautiful Crackers again! He was such a brave drake!

I have a pic of my Welsh drake Peaches (my 6 year old daughter named him...and yes she knew he was a boy...lol)


Here is my Welsh girl with the same drake:


They were both born in the spring of 2012 on the same farm, different moms. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

They are beautiful!!

 

[Nebraskagirl]

I have my Welsh Harlequins in our Nebraska winter and they do fantastic. Just make sure you have a shelter for them to hide from the elements. I don't use a heater or bring them in and it gets well below zero here in Nebraska at times. Great news on your decision. I hope you can get some great babies!!! Pyxis has some beautiful birds it appears

 

[ChampionAlex]

Cayugas. Rouens both fit in well with my experience.

 

[Pyxis]

Oh he's absolutely magnificent, such a regal bearing! I'm so sorry for your loss. That picture has decided it for me though; Welsh Harlequins it is!
As for your offer of the ducklings, I think I will have to take you up on that! We'll have to keep in touch, I would love to include two of them into my flock. I'm not too picky as to genders, I suppose I can only take one male however. But two girls, or one of each would make a perfect fit. I do have a few questions for you though: What is your experience with the ducks brooding? Could I consider them reliable surrogates, or as "designated mothers?"

How do they do with other breeds? I'm not concerned about fighting or anything, I would just love to see my runners integrate with the Harlequins.

And lastly, winter weather. How do they fare during the frigid weather? Are they as hardy as most other breeds?

I can sex the ducklings, so however you want to do it is absolutely fine I'll pm you my email so we can keep in touch.

And as for your questions:
They are FANTASTIC mothers! Mine have always been dedicated parents, when I let them hatch. I haven't had one lose a duckling yet.

Mine get along with all breeds. Like I said, I've had lots of breeds, including mallards, pekins, blue swedes (I still have one left), black swedes, and a rouen, and the Welshies were nice to them all. Crackers was actually especially attached to my little mallard drake when I had him. I never saw him bully a smaller male. And he was always great with ducklings too, something that you have to be careful of with drakes.

And as for winter weather, they do phenomenally. Welshies are actually one of the best breeds you can have for winter egg laying. Mine have a nice house that I keep above freezing to keep the water from freezing, but they prefer to sit outside in the snow, silly birds.