Welsh Harlequin

[suzy4027]

Gosh it is hard to tell isnt it!? I'm NOT a pro by any means but my gold phase female has always looked a little lighter than the other silvers. I was thinking that the lighter beaked one could have been a gold phase, but it almost looks like the other could be one as well!? Is there a difference in their pigment color that you can tell? I wondered for awhile if my drake was a gold phase, but he darkened up finally. Here are a few pictures of my babies 3 weeks old. Maybe it will help you. My gold phase has brown pigmenting instead of the dark gray of the others: Gold to the left, and silver to the right, all silvers below... I think anyhow! In the photo above (taken a week ago exactly) the gold is on the far right at the top of the picture. Tater and tot are cute! Awesome that they are that tame.

 

[suzy4027]

I don't have the quote and comment procedure figured out yet....

Jessilynn, funny thing is, your pics are the ones that threw me for a loop! Lol. Both of my ducklings are actually darker than your Goldie. I was shooting into the sun and just generally stink as a photographer! I see dark brown in Tater's wing feathers, but Tot has really dark color next to bright white. I figured at least she was a silver. But then, if I was even remotely sure of what I was looking at, I wouldn't have to ask, right?! Lol

I can't imagine what my chances of getting 2 golds from a feed store would be! From all the posts I've read, gold females seem harder to find in the U.S. That would be a lucky pick! I prefer the silver phase colors but truly don't care. I just have no patience what so ever. I can't imagine how crazy the wait would make me if the didn't grow like weeds!

 

[suzy4027]

Btw, your duckies are adorable! I'll definately be ordering or buying from a breeder here the next time. I want to get a couple more. What a cute little pile of bills and fluff they are!

 

[suzy4027]

Same

Agreed on the WH being a prettier drake. If I didn't want to have lots of eggs, I would stay away from Campbell's for sure! I'm already wondering how I'm going to handle the amount WH's can lay!

 

[JessiLynn]

I don't have the quote and comment procedure figured out yet....

Jessilynn, funny thing is, your pics are the ones that threw me for a loop! Lol. Both of my ducklings are actually darker than your Goldie. I was shooting into the sun and just generally stink as a photographer! I see dark brown in Tater's wing feathers, but Tot has really dark color next to bright white. I figured at least she was a silver. But then, if I was even remotely sure of what I was looking at, I wouldn't have to ask, right?! Lol

I can't imagine what my chances of getting 2 golds from a feed store would be! From all the posts I've read, gold females seem harder to find in the U.S. That would be a lucky pick! I prefer the silver phase colors but truly don't care. I just have no patience what so ever. I can't imagine how crazy the wait would make me if the didn't grow like weeds!

Oh that IS funny! I have to agree, watching them change a little and wondering what they will look like is the best part- but goodness it sure tests my patience! I love that the Welsh Harlequins can look a little different from each other. I ordered mine from Metzer and while they state that they don't have gold's it clearly happens occasionally! I also think the silvers are prettier as they get older. But I sure do love my Goldie. It helps that I can always tell who she is... while the other girls constantly have me checking feet color, beak color and now feathers... and I'm still not 100% sure who is who. :/

 

[suzy4027]

Oh that IS funny! I have to agree, watching them change a little and wondering what they will look like is the best part- but goodness it sure tests my patience! I love that the Welsh Harlequins can look a little different from each other. I ordered mine from Metzer and while they state that they don't have gold's it clearly happens occasionally! I also think the silvers are prettier as they get older. But I sure do love my Goldie. It helps that I can always tell who she is... while the other girls constantly have me checking feet color, beak color and now feathers... and I'm still not 100% sure who is who. :/

And in the end, they're all cuties and funny! Lol

 

[DuckBoy323]

I have a Gold Phase Welsh that's sitting on about 22 or so eggs, is there a good chance she'll hatch all of em? And how many days does it take for thee eggs to hatch?

 

[RennieRose]

Does anyone know of someone on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that has WH ducklings available for pick up? I just want to get one female to add to our flock oft currently 3 duckling: 1 Pekin, 1 Mallard, 1 Buff; and additional ducklings to arrive in June: 2 Khaki Campbell, and 2 Cayuga. I'd be willing to wait until June. Any suggestions?

 

[Jdc361]

Agreed on the WH being a prettier drake. If I didn't want to have lots of eggs, I would stay away from Campbell's for sure! I'm already wondering how I'm going to handle the amount WH's can lay!

Haha ok thanks!

 

[TattooedMama]

Hello everyone!! Been following for some time and excited to join you

My order of 12 Welsh Harlequins from Holderreads arrived yesterday and I am very excited!! These are our first ducks. My order consists of both silver & gold phase so I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on approximately what age you can differentiate the two color phases?

Thanks in advance!!