Harlequin

[bahamian raiser]

Does anyone know where to get some harlequins is it legal and if so how much would shipping be

 

[bahamian raiser]

Sorry i meant this one not the welsh

 

[destinduck]

I hate to be the one to say it but you dont probably need these if you are worried about shipping cost. They are probably the most expensive ducks there is. Major care for them from all Ive gathered as well. All that being said Sylvan Heights is your only choice. Nobody in the private sector is coming off of any that I know of even if you have the several thousand to purchase them. Shame really because at this stage if they were more readily availiable by capturing more in the wild and selling some to the private sector it may keep the species afloat if the numbers go down to dangerous levels.

 

[bahamian raiser]

Wow i would have thought that some people here in the US would have atleast had a few farms for the species thats a shame that they are so hard to find. Oh well i guess woodies arent so bad after all

 

[Dr. Todd]

Harlequins are biologically different from Wood Ducks and do not thrive under the conditions the average duck keeper provides for their birds. They are a species for the specialist or someone with the time and financial resources to build an enclosure specifically to suit their needs.

Like other sea ducks, they are more prone to stress and ailments in captivity than the temperate or tropical species more commonly kept. They need a different diet, less crowding and cleaner/cooler water to keep alive long-term.

There are several aviaries in the US that keep harlequins but production varies year to year.

Gain a lot of wild waterfowl experience, read up on them (FAR beyond backyard chickens and Wikipedia), write to the people who keep them and save your pennies to build them the appropriate enclosure before trying them.

DT

 

[bahamian raiser]

Thankk you this was very informational.