Why does my silver appleyard duckling have a brown stripe instead of black?

[MS_pond]

How have they grown out now? This photo is interesting… do both have black bills? You tend to see that in Welsh Harlequins rather than Silver Appleyards. I have both breeds and can tell them apart by their bill color. Breed standard for Appleyards is a yellow or green bill. Standard for Welsh’s is black for hens and green for drakes.

I didn't realize the standard was yellow bill, or that a black bill was unusual. My only Appleyard here has a black bill. I think it's beautiful!

 

[ThePinksters]

I didn't realize the standard was yellow bill, or that a black bill was unusual. My only Appleyard here has a black bill. I think it's beautiful!

Your black bill duck is a hen or a drake? Appleyards definitely don’t have black beaks. Guessing the hatchery sent you a Welsh Harlequin or a mix if your duck has orange feet. Appleyards are also closer to the size of a pekin, they are a heavy breed. Harlequins will be smaller, more the size of a Rouen. Appleyard hens will also have striping on their face. Here’s a really good post comparing the two.

https://www.facebook.com/share/M5Sk4DsBLrTyM9ZX/?mibextid=WC7FNe

 

[MS_pond]

Your black bill duck is a hen or a drake? Appleyards definitely don’t have black beaks. Guessing the hatchery sent you a Welsh Harlequin or a mix if your duck has orange feet. Appleyards are also closer to the size of a pekin, they are a heavy breed. Harlequins will be smaller, more the size of a Rouen. Appleyard hens will also have striping on their face. Here’s a really good post comparing the two.

https://www.facebook.com/share/M5Sk4DsBLrTyM9ZX/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Definitely a hen. This whole thread prompted me to look again at the Metzer page for appleyards, which is where I got them from.

"We do not recommend our Silver Appleyard for show purposes as we are starting to get females developing dark bills. We are selecting for breed standard and aim to improve this trait in our 2025 breeders."

https://www.metzerfarms.com/silver-appleyard-ducks.html

I do also have a Welsh Harlequin from metzer, those two girls are pretty distinct apart from the bills.

All that to say, I'm not denying that she could be from a more diluted or mixed stock. Not that it really matters to me.

 

[DingusDuck]

Your black bill duck is a hen or a drake? Appleyards definitely don’t have black beaks. Guessing the hatchery sent you a Welsh Harlequin or a mix if your duck has orange feet. Appleyards are also closer to the size of a pekin, they are a heavy breed. Harlequins will be smaller, more the size of a Rouen. Appleyard hens will also have striping on their face. Here’s a really good post comparing the two.

https://www.facebook.com/share/M5Sk4DsBLrTyM9ZX/?mibextid=WC7FNe

I have one with a black bill and black feet, anouther is brown with oranges feet, the maleo have has very orange feet and has a yellow bill.

 

[ThePinksters]

Definitely a hen. This whole thread prompted me to look again at the Metzer page for appleyards, which is where I got them from.

"We do not recommend our Silver Appleyard for show purposes as we are starting to get females developing dark bills. We are selecting for breed standard and aim to improve this trait in our 2025 breeders."

https://www.metzerfarms.com/silver-appleyard-ducks.html

I do also have a Welsh Harlequin from metzer, those two girls are pretty distinct apart from the bills.

All that to say, I'm not denying that she could be from a more diluted or mixed stock. Not that it really matters to me.

Wow, that’s super intriguing! Your two look just like my two Welsh hens too. I have one golden who’s darker and one that’s lighter. They often get darker as they age. Kudos to the hatchery for posting that though! Either way you go you’ve got a gorgeous hen, and they are both wonderful breeds. Here are my two Harlequins….Harley and Quinn

 

[DingusDuck]

Wow, that’s super intriguing! Your two look just like my two Welsh hens too. I have one golden who’s darker and one that’s lighter. They often get darker as they age. Kudos to the hatchery for posting that though! Either way you go you’ve got a gorgeous hen, and they are both wonderful breeds. Here are my two Harlequins….Harley and Quinn

Thanks! Yours are nice too!
The one I have with the black bill is named Goober, here's more of the ducks when they were a bit younger.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Thanks! Yours are nice too!
The one I have with the black bill is named Goober, here's more of the ducks when they were a bit younger.

Your ducks are very beautiful!

 

[DingusDuck]

Your ducks are very beautiful!

Thank you!