Where to buy Welsh Harlequin Ducklings?

[DucksnDaffodils]

Hello all!

I'm new here and have come to ask some help I am hoping this spring to buy some Welsh Harlequin Ducklings and start a laying/breeding flock. Welsh Harlequins were my first ever ducks, three years ago, I actually hatched them myself from local eggs, and I fell in love with them then. I still have ducks right now but no WH.

So my question has to do with where should I buy my Welsh Harlequin Ducklings?? I have heard great things about Holderread, and was thinking of getting them there, but I heard that his ducks have been bred so that they aren't as easy to sex at hatch like most WHs, which is one of the reasons I want WH's. Also I am not thinking of ever showing my birds so I am not as worried about showing confirmation. Basically, I am looking for healthy superb egg laying Welsh Harlequins, I would like them to look nice cause I do hope to breed and sell them. Of course I am also looking for cheapest with best quality.

Has anyone had experience with Cackle Hatchery? Are they good quality ducks? They sure are cheaper... or should I just go with Holderread?

I hope that made some sense!

Thank you so much in advance for any input!!!

 

[Carcajou]

!! You might try Metzer Farms. You can also go to the "stickys" on this forum and click on the waterfowler's breeders directory.

Good luck!!

 

[ducksinarow]

My Campbell's came from Cackle. They are very nice birds, healthy, good markings, correct bill color, excellent layers. I bought them from Rural King which got them from Cackle. Thumbs up for Cackle.

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

I did look at Metzer Farms, but they are a bit pricey, even more than Holderreads.

 

[vtfarmer]

Murry Mcmurry carries them as well but i think straight run only. I am going to order some from Metzers and maybe get runners as well.

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

Thank you all very much for your help so far!!!

I have seen Murray as well, but once again the price deterred me. Ideally I would prefer sexed ducklings but am perfectly willing and kind of expect to deal with straight run. We bought our first chickens from cackle, and we loved them very much and they were great birds, but since have ordered from other hatcheries and have noticed our cackle birds our smaller and not quite up to the breed type. That's why I am worried about quality from Cackle and I do want quality!!
Does anyone who has WH from Holderread have any comment on the beak sexing? Is that a problem?

Oh dear!! So many decisions to make!!

Not sure what to do. Trying not to lose any sleep over this one!

 

[duckins]

Metzers their awesome.

 

[4hchickmama]

If you can do Holderreads, do Holderreads. If not, I'd do Metzer...or search locally.

Here is my drake who came from Holderreads lines.




I also have a both a silver and a gold duck who are also very nice.


Also....my ducks lay nearly every day like clockwork.

 

[carousel86]

Hello all!

I'm new here and have come to ask some help   I am hoping this spring to buy some Welsh Harlequin Ducklings and start a laying/breeding flock.  Welsh Harlequins were my first ever ducks, three years ago, I actually hatched them myself from local eggs, and I fell in love with them then.  I still have ducks right now but no WH.

So my question has to do with where should I buy my Welsh Harlequin Ducklings??   I have heard great things about Holderread, and was thinking of getting them there, but I heard that his ducks have been bred so that they aren't as easy to sex at hatch like most WHs, which is one of the reasons I want WH's.  Also I am not thinking of ever showing my birds so I am not as worried about showing confirmation.  Basically, I am looking for healthy superb egg laying Welsh Harlequins, I would like them to look nice cause I do hope to breed and sell them.   Of course I am also looking for cheapest with best quality.

Has anyone had experience with Cackle Hatchery?  Are they good quality ducks?  They sure are cheaper... or should I just go with Holderread?

I hope that made some sense!

Thank you so much in advance for any input!!!

I was wondering if you got Welsh Harlequin duckling this past spring and were did you get them from?

 

[vtfarmer]

Yes I got Welsh and runners from Metzers which are growing great. They are a bit spoiled with their new 12 x 16 barn I built and large pond I had a contractor dig. Hope to get eggs soon and also start breeding them in the spring.