Welsh Harlequin

[pirtykitty]

my Welsh harlequin daisy is from metzers and is about 15 months old.. she looked like yours when she was young and is now getting darker... Welsh harlequins go through several color changes..

 

[Kansaseq]

Thanks, Kitty. You and Wifezilla wouldn't happen to have before and after pics, would you?

 

[Ahab]

Can anyone comment about the WH's broodiness? I'm just finding time for ducks (again), and want foraging ducks that will hatch their own eggs and reliably raise their own young--and that aren't muscovies.

 

[Wifezilla]

Shelley was almost all white for a while

Now

 

[Wifezilla]

Ahab, they will go broody. I had 1 go broody this spring, but they are supposed to be really good after they are 2 years old or so.

 

[Kansaseq]

Oh my gosh! She really got quite a bit more speckling--almost looks like a different duck. Thanks for posting pics, Wifezilla

 

[Ahab]

Quote:
Thanks. Choosing the "right" duck for a given environment and purpose seems as fraught with caveats as choosing the right spouse. So far, WHs are leading the pack by a bill's length.

 

[Wifezilla]

I went through several "test ducks". I started with a free bunch from a farmer looking to get rid of extras during winter. I ended up with 2 khakis and a runner. Then I bought a 4h buff. The khaki drake as a jerk and the buff hen was the loudest thing ever so I sold them. I hatched out a duck that turned out to be a khaki runner mutt. She was cool but died. We think she ate some insulation

I hatched out a buff/khaki and bought it a rouen buddy. A hawk got my buff mutt and the rouen was never friendly. I found a new home for the roeun. I gained experience and really loved having ducks, but couldn't really settle on a breed. My runner was the best egg producer ever but she was such a spazz!

When I got my trio of Welsh Harlequins I knew I was on to something. Calmer than any of the other ducks. Curious and friendly. They lay big eggs and will lay almost all year. They can't fly. They will brood. They can also be used as a meat bird, but I would have trouble eating them because of the cute factor. They are the perfect breed for me.

 

[Ahab]

We kept Campbell's years ago and found them friendly enough, and they sure did lay eggs but never, ever went broody. A career change meant no time for ducks, and now another one does, so we're currently "shopping." WH do seem quite the lobster's waistcoat.

 

[pardygwyn]

Wifezilla, your Shelley looked just like my Keys! Here's hoping this means she'll get all pretty, too.

I ate a WH drake a couple years ago that a friend didn't want because he was a butthead. He was delicious and flavorful - I actually liked him much better than Muscovy.