Welsh Harlequin or Elizabeth Ducks

[npitu]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at getting 2-3 freshly hatched ducklings and trying to settle on a breed. I live in the suburbs so have neighbors but have a large enough yard for them to forage and then lock them up at night in a coop. I'm looking for a friendly and quiet (I know most ducks are somewhat noisy) breed. I understand that drakes will always be quieter but since I would like ducklings, they will be unsexed. I have heard a lot of good things about both Welsh Harlequins and Elizabeth Ducks. Both a bit hard to find but I think I have found a couple breeders. Not sure if I should get all 3 the same (maybe if one breed seems to be better suited for suburban/pet life than the other) or possibly a mix of the 2 (1 of one breed and 2 of the other). Does anyone have any experience with either of these two breeds or both? I have also been tempted with sweedish blue and cayuga. Although SB have been hard to find. Maybe 1 WH, 1 ED and 1 Cayuga? haha. Help Please!!! Thanks!

 

[ruthhope]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at getting 2-3 freshly hatched ducklings and trying to settle on a breed. I live in the suburbs so have neighbors but have a large enough yard for them to forage and then lock them up at night in a coop. I'm looking for a friendly and quiet (I know most ducks are somewhat noisy) breed. I understand that drakes will always be quieter but since I would like ducklings, they will be unsexed. I have heard a lot of good things about both Welsh Harlequins and Elizabeth Ducks. Both a bit hard to find but I think I have found a couple breeders. Not sure if I should get all 3 the same (maybe if one breed seems to be better suited for suburban/pet life than the other) or possibly a mix of the 2 (1 of one breed and 2 of the other). Does anyone have any experience with either of these two breeds or both? I have also been tempted with sweedish blue and cayuga. Although SB have been hard to find. Maybe 1 WH, 1 ED and 1 Cayuga? haha. Help Please!!! Thanks!

Muscovy are by far the quietest of ducks and the females are both good layers as well as good mamas if you want to hatch some ducklings.

My own muscovy are handsome black barred, black and white, and all white. But there are gorgeous lavender and silver varieties, too.

Check them out! They are great for suburban back yards. You will hsve to clip their wings though as they fly and are adventurous

 

[npitu]

Muscovy are by far the quietest of ducks and the females are both good layers as well as good mamas if you want to hatch some ducklings.

My own muscovy are handsome black barred, black and white, and all white. But there are gorgeous lavender and silver varieties, too.

Check them out! They are great for suburban back yards. You will hsve to clip their wings though as they fly and are adventurous

I have heard this but as silly as it sounds, I'm not a big fan of the red around the face :/ Eventually when I can get a lot of ducks I will get some muscovy as well. But since I can only get 2 to start I am leaning towards some others. Thank you though!

 

[ruthhope]

I have heard this but as silly as it sounds, I'm not a big fan of the red around the face :/ Eventually when I can get a lot of ducks I will get some muscovy as well. But since I can only get 2 to start I am leaning towards some others. Thank you though!

Female muscovy only have a little red or pink round their faces, which are very sweet.

I thought I disliked drakes carruncles, when I first saw feral muscovy drakes. But once you have muscovy drakes and know them, their quirks, and their personalities, the carruncles become an important part of your handsome boys!!!

 

[UKDuck]

I hatched WH, she is ~1.5 years old now and she is very quiet in comparison to the Runner ladies.

 

[npitu]

Female muscovy only have a little red or pink round their faces, which are very sweet.

I thought I disliked drakes carruncles, when I first saw feral muscovy drakes. But once you have muscovy drakes and know them, their quirks, and their personalities, the carruncles become an important part of your handsome boys!!!

They are beautiful birds and I definitely want one. Just at the moment I can only get two so it makes it difficult as there are so many beautiful breeds out there haha

 

[npitu]

I hatched WH, she is ~1.5 years old now and she is very quiet in comparison to the Runner ladies.

I’m happy to hear that! I found someone that has a WH girl sitting on some eggs at the moment. I was thinking of getting one Cayuga and one WH but I think I might just go with 2 WH. Everyone seems to say they are more friendly.

 

[UKDuck]

I’m happy to hear that! I found someone that has a WH girl sitting on some eggs at the moment. I was thinking of getting one Cayuga and one WH but I think I might just go with 2 WH. Everyone seems to say they are more friendly.

Oh yes, welshies generally are super friendly. My WH drake and the girl are first to greet me in the yard. The runner ladies are more nervous and keeping distance.

 

[npitu]

Oh yes, welshies generally are super friendly. My WH drake and the girl are first to greet me in the yard. The runner ladies are more nervous and keeping distance.

That’s great to hear! That’s exactly what I want in a duck haha

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

I have heard a lot of good things about both Welsh Harlequins and Elizabeth Ducks. Both a bit hard to find but I think I have found a couple breeders. Not sure if I should get all 3 the same (maybe if one breed seems to be better suited for suburban/pet life than the other) or possibly a mix of the 2 (1 of one breed and 2 of the other).

You have the means to acquire Elizabeth ducks?
Wow...

You would do a very good thing if you bought Elizabeth ducks only, and breed them then : they are an endangered breed, so it would be great if you could help saving them!