Help me choose my next ducklings

[asteele01]

This is my first year raising ducks. I currently have 4 pekins (one is an Aylebury/pekin mix I believe because she has a pink bill) and 2 mallards (may be rouens, still to young to tell for sure). I want to add 2 more ducklings to my flock. I have been doing a little research and think that Welsh Harlequin females are beautiful. I read they have a very calm, friendly temperament, but have asked people who own them and most people say they still run away and don't like to be handled. I really want a calm duck, that will allow me to handle her. I know it's a lot to do with how they are raised, but I raised my pekins and mallards and we handled them from the beginning and when the pekins want attention they will come to me, but otherwise they run. The mallards have never been social even though one of them had 1 foot in the grave and I nursed her back to health and forced fluids down her. Ungrateful duckling just kidding.

I love the look of runners, but I know they are more skittish. I have had multiple people tell me though theirs are nice. I think buff ducks are pretty, but aren't they big like pekins? I would like something a little smaller.

So right now I am debating on Welsh Harlequin or runners. If anyone has another suggestion I am open to them.

One last thing, do males seem to be tamer than the females? Our one male pekin is so sweet and we can handle him and pet him. He sits on our laps and doesn't try to get away. He is even calm around strangers. The females do not like to be held and will let me pet them a few times before they run off if they are in the mood.

 

[Kimarie411]

I have 2 Welsh Harlequin and 1 Pekin. My WH will take off if you head towards them with a purpose but if I kneel down and talk to them they usually come right over. The Pekin only comes over because he wants to be where the girls are. I absolutely love my girls and couldn't ask for better ducks...so far. They're 5 weeks. They just got their quack and aren't particularly loud. If I walk up to their pool and kneel down they'll usually swim over and nibble on my fingers.

 

[asteele01]

My 3 older pekins will come up to me when I kneel down. They sometimes will let me pet them and sometimes will turn and walk away because I don't have treats. If I have treats they run over to me and want to be my best friend. I an assuming WH ducks would be the same way.