Welsh harlequin color?

[MamaDuck1]

About when do welsh harlequin drakes get the green plumage on their heads? And is it only certain times of year they have it??? Or once they get it, does it stay? Ive been searching everywhere for this answer. Lol. Thanks!

 

[duckyfromoz]

Hi MamaDuck1, I breed Harlequin coloured Indian Runner and the feathering would be pretty much the same. My young drakes usually have full colour by 20 weeks of age and after that- they do molt each year back to " eclipse plumage" This is done so they become " camoflaged' for protection against predators while they regrown flight feathers. it makes sense with the wild birds- but with domestic ducks some times they are more noticeable in eclipse. Right now one of my boys has an almost completely white head. They really do look much nicer with full colour dont they??

 

[MamaDuck1]

Thanks for the info! My boy is only 12 weeks old right now.... So i guess ill just have to sit tight