Welsh Harlequin

[Zombified]

Ah, yeah, I see what you mean. Do you know if Metzer has good show quality birds? If not, I'll just save up money and go ahead and buy from Holderread. I'm not planning on buying any until we move, anyways, so it isn't a huge deal.

 

[hokankai]

I just edited to add that you can show if you want to, but put up against a bird from SQ parents that one is going to take the title. However you never know what's gonna happen and it's good practice to just go, so you can show him if you want! I'm going going to be showing Jasper and Delilah or Elizabeth at our October show just to get my foot in the door and practice. They will still be juveniles so I won't win anything, but it'll be fun to socialize and talk to the judges

This is the Welsh Harlequin I fell in love with at my first poultry show. It made me want some SO bad that I ended up getting some hatching eggs a month later!

 

[Zombified]

Oh haha just went back and read it. I know there isn't a huge likelihood of winning, and I'm okay with that. Like you, I really just want to get my foot in the door and see what it's like.

That bird is GORGEOUS! Do you know if she won?

 

[Muse7]

Metzer stock does not seem to be bred so much for show quality as they are for farm use; like egg laying and meat.
But they do give a small financial prize to anyone who takes a show with one of their birds.

I got a Chocolate runner this year, that I may try to show. She is beautifully formed.

But I do not necessarily agree that you have to buy a show bird to get a show bird. The likelihood is much higher, granted, but
remember, show birds became show birds through selective breeding. It does not mean that a bird that has not come from SQ parent does not carry
the traits that have been selected as being SQ.

You can get lucky, but I believe that you have to do some of your own work, picking best of from your flock to breed and so on, that way you get
the real feeling of creating a Show bird, not just purchasing one and feeding it.

Just my two scents.

Liz

 

[hokankai]

I know from Holderread's birds, what you pay for is pretty much what you get. I live in the same area as him and see a LOT of his birds get passed around. They pretty much know that when they're selling standard birds, they're going to just be standard birds, whereas the SQ is a step up and closer to APA standards, and the SQ Elite are from parents that hold titles or are good enough to have them.

I think it would be fun just to do it, so I say go for it! But if you're wanting to eventually show competitively it's best to start with the best stock you can afford

 

[Zombified]

Liz, that's actually what I'd like to do with my flock. After they grow some more, I'm going to see which ones match the APA standards the closest and give away/sell the others to people who just want them for pest control/eggs/meat. I don't think I could cull them myself, though I know that's what a lot of people do. I'm not strong enough to do that. It doesn't help that they all have names, haha.

BUT, all of that will be when we move. For now, I'm just going to sell the eggs and *maybe* the ducklings if I decide to let any hatch. Which, knowing me, I probably will, lol. I won't be keeping any until we move, though.

EDIT:
Woops, almost forgot to add the pictures I managed to get of Thoth and Nyx.

Thoth:




Nyx was... a lot more difficult. x.x So I didn't get many *good* shots, but I got some decent ones. Enough that you can see her very pale chest. She's very light colored.

Nyx:

 

[carousel86]

Has anybody used Metzer Farms? I would like to buy some WH duckling?

 

[Zombified]

I've heard mixed reviews about Metzer. It seems like if you plan on showing, buying from Holderread would probably be your best option. But if you just want pretty birds for eggs or meat, Metzer is a great, inexpensive option. There were some people who didn't get the right breed, so I'm not sure how reliable they are.

 

[carousel86]

I've heard mixed reviews about Metzer. It seems like if you plan on showing, buying from Holderread would probably be your best option. But if you just want pretty birds for eggs or meat, Metzer is a great, inexpensive option. There were some people who didn't get the right breed, so I'm not sure how reliable they are.

Ok Thanks I'll wait and get them in the spring at Holderread

 

[Muse7]

Just be aware, I believe, that Holderread has a minimum of 10 ducks/lings per order, so if you are going to order from them, and you only want 2 to 5, you will want to find someone else to
go in on the order with you.

\
Best,

Liz