Trying to find TRUE miniature silver appleyard ducks

[gracieracer]

I was told there is no thing as Silver Appleyard calls, just bantam and mini Silver Appleyard. Not right?

 

[ThreeWillows]

I was told there is no thing as Silver Appleyard calls, just bantam and mini Silver Appleyard. Not right?

Definitely not. There are three sizes of duck that have the word Appleyard in the name here in the US:
The Silver Appleyard (standard)
The Miniature Silver Appleyard (bantam)
The Silver Appleyard Call (bantam)

Bantam refers to the size in the US.

In the UK, they have:

Silver Appleyard (standard)
Miniature Silver Appleyard (bantam, different color pattern than ours)
Silver Bantam (bantam, same color pattern as our Miniature Silver Appleyard)

Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks is helpful on this.

 

[ThreeWillows]

Chapter 4
Bantam Breeds
"THE BANTAM CLASS INCLUDES THE MINIATURE BREEDS of the domestic duck clan. These birds weigh between 18 and 40 ounces (0.5 and 1 kg). They are popular for pets, decoration, and exhibition..."

"Miniature Silver Appleyard British waterfowl breeder Reginald Appleyard developed both the large (1930s) and bantam (1940s) versions of Silver Appleyard ducks at his Priory Waterfowl Farm near Bury, St. Edmund, in West Suffolk County, England. According to the British Waterfowl Standards (1999), Mr. Appleyard’s foundation stock for the miniatures was obtained by mating a White Call and a small Khaki Campbell. It would have taken a number of generations and careful selection to fix the color and type that this handsome breed displays today.

"Despite the fact that both the large and bantam versions were given the name Silver Appleyard, the plumage colors and patterns of the two differ both genetically and visually. The genotype of the bantam is dusky and harlequin (PatdPatd, LihLih), while the genotype of the large Appleyard is restricted and light (PatRPatR, LiliLili). As far as I know, all the Miniature Appleyards being raised in North America are of the original genotype developed by Mr. Appleyard. A flock of young Miniature Silver Appleyards, bred on our farm, consisting of two drakes and three ducks. In Great Britain it is a different story. For years Tom Bartlett was a leading breeder and promoter of the large Appleyards. In the 1980s Mr. Bartlett sent me some work-in-progress photos of his project to create a miniature duck that would be an exact color replica of the large Appleyard. Following his success, the British Waterfowl Association changed their standard and christened this new version “Silver Appleyard Miniature” and renamed Apple-yard’s original creation “Silver Bantam.” Description. In conformation the Mini Silver Appleyard is an intermediate between the racy, wild Mallard and the compact Call. The bill is of medium length (1½ to 2 inches [3.75 to 5 cm] long) and medium width. The head is oval, of medium size, and moderately streamlined, without the high forehead and puffy cheeks of the call duck. The medium-length legs are attached near the center of the body, allowing for nearly horizontal body carriage when the bird is relaxed. The Mini Appleyard is smaller than most wild Mallards, at 30 to 38 ounces (0.9 to 1 kg), and quieter than Calls. Varieties. As with all varieties that have the harlequin gene, the Mini Appleyard produces offspring with more or less pigmentation. Although most fall within the range of the Silver category, there are some that are so dark that the males have little or no neck ring and the sides of their bodies are nearly solid claret — I call these Chestnut Appleyards. (See chapter 10 for color descriptions and information.) Selecting breeders. Choose active, bright-eyed birds that have good breed type and moderately small size. Mini Appleyards should not be as tiny as Calls or East Indies. The desired plumage color is the same as for Welsh Harlequins. The bills of the females normally are dark green or gray, shaded with varying amounts of orange (rather than the solid greenish black of the Harlequin). Selecting and preparing show birds. At this writing the Mini Appleyard is not in the APA or ABA standards. They can be shown at most poultry shows, but they cannot compete against standardized breeds. In size and conformation good Mini Appleyards look like they could be a wild duck. As with all the bantam breeds, they are tidy, and if you provide them with a balanced diet, a clean pen with sufficient room, fresh bathing water, and plenty of shade, they will prepare themselves for shows. During the molt and for 6 to 8 weeks prior to a show, use the ration recommended for Calls and Mallards to encourage excellent condition. Comments. The combination of wonderful aesthetics, engaging personalities, mothering ability, hardiness, and enthusiastic foraging makes the Miniature Appleyard a very useful, ornamental, and enjoyable breed."

--D. Holderread, Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks

 

[gracieracer]

LOL -- that's way too much information for me to digest. :-D

In simple terms, what makes mine calls and not true miniatures? The coloring? These are the first calls I've had and are pets. Had a chance to buy ducks and didn't care what the colors were.

They are larger than my butterscotch calls.

 

[ThreeWillows]

LOL -- that's way too much information for me to digest. :-D

In simple terms, what makes mine calls and not true miniatures? The coloring? These are the first calls I've had and are pets. Had a chance to buy ducks and didn't care what the colors were.

They are larger than my butterscotch calls.

The color pattern, and secondarily, the head shape. Holderread says Mini Appleyards should be exactly between a call and a mallard in head shape. Color should look like a Welsh harlequin (which, in turn, is very like a snowy call).

But, if you enjoy rarity, you should know those Appleyard calls are even more rare than Miniature Appleyards.

 

[gracieracer]

I had no idea. Thank you for the education!

 

[Mothereco]

I know this is an old post, but I am looking for mini appleyards. They can be mini Silver Appleyards or Appleyard calls. I had mini Silver Appleyards over 10 years ago and absolutely adored them. I have been searching for them and have not been successful. I live in California and would love to purchase some if anyone know where I can do that.

 

[Ratchnick]

Check out duck creek farm

 

[ThreeWillows]

Check out duck creek farm

Agreed. That's where I got mine.

 

[Sassy chik]

I will be breeding them in southern oregon