my welsh harlequin is VERY dark

[aaronmg]

hey! so today i added a welsh harlequin to my group of ducks, she's six weeks old and hit it off with my ducks immediately (although they are still very territorial). this is a breed that I know very little about, but I know that they do malt and change their colouring, which is why I was not alarmed to see that her feathers were so dark, because I assumed she would malt them and become very white like her mother (who I have seen). I tried to find some photos of young harlequins her age to do a comparison and non look similar. does anyone know anything about this? I've linked a video where you can see her really well. her mother was as white as snow and I assumed she would grow to look like that, but now I don't know. does anyone have any insights??

 

[sowNreap]

I've linked a video where you can see her really well

I'm not seeing the linked video. Might need to try again. Did you upload to place like YouTube first since this forum doesn't let you attach video directly from your computer or cell as far as I know.

This post might be helpful. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-images-to-the-new-byc.1174493/post-18874929

 

[aaronmg]

I'm not seeing the linked video. Might need to try again. Did you upload to place like YouTube first since this forum doesn't let you attach video directly from your computer or cell as far as I know.

This post might be helpful. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-images-to-the-new-byc.1174493/post-18874929

im sorry i must have done it wrong. is it there now?

 

[sowNreap]

im sorry i must have done it wrong. is it there now?

Yep! I'm sorry I can't help with your question but didn't want you waiting long for answer only to say video wasn't there.

I'm sure someone will be along shortly that can help.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

It doesn't look like a welsh. If it's small like a welsh, I'm thinking mallard. If its bigger, then rouen.

 

[Yardmom]

I't doesn't look like a WH or pure mallard. I wonder if it is WH mallard cross.

 

[aaronmg]

I't doesn't look like a WH or pure mallard. I wonder if it is WH mallard cross.

i've seen all the ducks that the breeder had, and he had pekin sweedish blue and cayuga ducks, and she doesn't look like any of those, so im quite confused

 

[aaronmg]

It doesn't look like a welsh. If it's small like a welsh, I'm thinking mallard. If its bigger, then rouen.

I didn't see any mallards the breeder had, of any sex, and I saw his entire flock. unless he had them before and sold them on

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I didn't see any mallards the breeder had, of any sex, and I saw his entire flock. unless he had them before and sold them on

How long have you had her? Did he have WH? Most of the larger ducks are a cross of rouen and other mixtures before getting the results they originally wanted - mixes will usually revert to some of those original traits even though it's been bred out of them. WH were bred from 2 mutant strains of khaki. So, I guess it's possible for it to be a welsh that threw brown.
My pet chicken is showing a pic of one that is a lighter brown and I wouldn't guess WH either. So depending on where the breeder started from, anything is possible.

https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Waterfowl/Ducklings-Welsh-Harlequin-p2591.aspx

 

[aaronmg]

How long have you had her? Did he have WH? Most of the larger ducks are a cross of rouen and other mixtures before getting the results they originally wanted - mixes will usually revert to some of those original traits even though it's been bred out of them. WH were bred from 2 mutant strains of khaki. So, I guess it's possible for it to be a welsh that threw brown.
My pet chicken is showing a pic of one that is a lighter brown and I wouldn't guess WH either. So depending on where the breeder started from, anything is possible.

https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Waterfowl/Ducklings-Welsh-Harlequin-p2591.aspx

apparently he didn't have a WH drake to breed from, so he just sold me a duck on a half truth. I've only had her 24 hours, she's 6 weeks old, she doesn't miss any of the ducks she left, didn't cry a peep for them during the whole 50 minute car journey, and she's quickly become glued to my cayugas. i tried to separate her from my other ducks last night and she was not having it. she's happy here, she gets picked on, but she is happy. so im keeping her despite her not being a pure bred, because she doesnt seem to miss where she came from