Other high quality breeders

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Swap is at Canby at one of the parks. Location is on the swap thread and there is also a website for the swaps in Oregon.

I have Pomeranian geese, Blue Swedish ducks, and Silver Appleyard ducks

Sorry to hi-jack--but how do you like your Silver Appleyards? I've been toying with the idea of getting some...but was also considering the Welsh Harlequins....we have harsh winters and hot summers....I'm looking for something that's hardy, lays well and is relatively friendly.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Sorry to hi-jack--but how do you like your Silver Appleyards? I've been toying with the idea of getting some...but was also considering the Welsh Harlequins....we have harsh winters and hot summers....I'm looking for something that's hardy, lays well and is relatively friendly.

I really like my Appleyards. They are very calm-natured and easy-going. But they have a little sass to them, so they aren't boring. I like their personalities. They will step on my feet and the ducks will chatter at me if I'm not providing good service, but they are never actually over the line to disrespectful. The drakes are simply agreeable about whatever is happening.

The drakes version of Battle of the Titans is to lean against each other, breast to breast and push. Stronger duck is the winner and the matter is settled.

They are good layers. I don't get an egg a day for each one, it is very close to that. They are big enough to butcher at 10 weeks, but I haven't eaten one. They are firmer bodied and a lot less fatty that Pekins, so I would expect a leaner carcass.

We had a warm winter this year and didn't go much colder than 10 below and they were fine at that temperature. We don't get any higher than mid-nineties, so I haven't tested them in the heat.

 

[AuroraSprings]

We breed American Blues and Lavenders, but I wouldn't say they are show quality. We might actually have some Creams but we are still doing breeding trials to find out. They are from Holderreads but not their TSQ lines. I didn't realize American blues and lavenders could be shown. I thought only the Buffs could be. That's pretty neat.

 

[ChristineR]

Sorry to hi-jack--but how do you like your Silver Appleyards? I've been toying with the idea of getting some...but was also considering the Welsh Harlequins....we have harsh winters and hot summers....I'm looking for something that's hardy, lays well and is relatively friendly.

I can tell you that my WH lays well. Once she gets going for the season, she pretty much lays an egg every day.

 

[Oregon Blues]

......... I didn't realize American blues and lavenders could be shown. I thought only the Buffs could be. That's pretty neat.

Only the Buff color is recognized, but the blue and lavender can be shown as "All Other Varieties". Birds that win AOV can not go any higher in the contest. They can win best of AOV, but not win champion waterfowl or best in show.

Getting the non-recognized colors out and showing them is how you get the colors recognized. If enough people show them, then there will be some designated shows to prove interest and they can become recognized if enough people breed them and enough people are interested in showing them.

I've seen a lot of interest in the blues and lavenders, so if the owners would get organized, they could get those colors recognized.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

I breed Show Quality Welsh Harlequin ducks. Right now all I have is a adult pair. But I think that they would do wonderfully in a show. Very nice body length, almost perfect coloring, and awesome markings. And whats even more amazing is they came from Metzer farms. I am growing out 6 Welsh ducklings from TSQ lines from Holderread, and will keep all till fall, then pick breeders and sell off the rest. Plan on ordering more Welsh and silkies from holderead next year. Love that farm! Hope I get a nice show pair from this batch of babies.

I also have 5 Buff American Goslings (2 geese 3 ganders) That I believe came from parents that are show quality. Correct me if I'm wrong CelticOaksFarm. So hope they come out nicely. They are kinda just more of pets then anything. But I do plan on hatch eggs from them in spring.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Hey DG, their parents are good quality, bred to APA, but not shown, so unproven.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Should be good enough to breed though, right? I don't want to be breeding a flock of low quality Buff Americans, that's all.

BTW, I don't really my Welsh Harlequins. I just breed whats worth being bred... No pet quality Welsh in my flocks for breeding.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

DG, their quality is far superior to that of those you were going to buy from the hatchery.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

DG, their quality is far superior to that of those you were going to buy from the hatchery.

Yeah, thats kinda what I figured. I can't thank you enough for them!! And I decided I will keep the extra gander too. They are all so cute!