Best show breeder for Welsh Harlequins where the hen has a white head? Most I've seen have darker heads (even ones that are show quality).

[RainbowRabbits]

Does anyone know the best breeder for Welsh Harlequins that look like this but have black feet: (I'm not looking for hatchery quality)

I've looked up a bunch of breeders and all the hens seem to have darker heads. Even on Holderread's farm website he has silver phase hens that are darker (and have dark heads) and say they're the correct breed standard. I'm confused. The silver hen in the below picture looks nothing like the one up above to me.

Here are other breeder's that I found that also have darker heads (and one lighter one; was the only one I could find):

Eggopolispoultry; found on PoultryShowCentral and says they breed Holderread lines but the head is really dark and the feet almost look orange:

Darrowby Ducks also found on PoultryShowCentral but the heads are darker/hens have a "hood":

Wilson's Waterfowl (ones in the background unless those are the golden phase and I'm just mistaken on thinking it's silver?? I don't see any blue so maybe it's golden). I stand corrected. I just saw one with a tan head (like the ones below) and they said it was silver phase.

Apricot Valley Waterfowl (although one of the ones they had on Instagram had a whiter head)

Milliman Show (and also has pet) quality Welsh Harlequins:

In another thread I made someone said that younger hens sometimes have a hood then they grow out of it. Are all of these breeders just using pictures from when they're young?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Does anyone know the best breeder for Welsh Harlequins that look like this but have black feet: (I'm not looking for hatchery quality)

As an avid breeder.. I never let chicks go and grow everything out to see it's quality before then selling off the ones that DON'T meet my grade for breeding..

Show quality chicks/ducklings is a lie.. unless you get extremely lucky.. and you must breed towards what YOU want.. less than 10%, really only 1-2% of everything that hatches will actually be the sort of quality you're talking about in MY experience. Most small time breeders don't have the space or resources (like time) to

That being said.. I see some white heads at Metzger.. though they don't look like the black feet you want..

https://www.metzerfarms.com/welsh-harlequin-ducks.html

I don't facebook, but found this link when looking for silver phase breeders clubs.. maybe you will find some contact or other useful information though..

https://www.facebook.com/groups/welshharlequin/?mibextid=HsNCOg

Please note I read this more than one place.. quote is from hollerads..

"females go through several color changes through the course of a year. The Standard color description is for the fall nuptial plumage."

 

[RainbowRabbits]

As an avid breeder.. I never let chicks go and grow everything out to see it's quality before then selling off the ones that DON'T meet my grade for breeding..

Show quality chicks/ducklings is a lie.. unless you get extremely lucky.. and you must breed towards what YOU want.. less than 10%, really only 1-2% of everything that hatches will actually be the sort of quality you're talking about in MY experience. Most small time breeders don't have the space or resources (like time) to

That being said.. I see some white heads at Metzger.. though they don't look like the black feet you want..

https://www.metzerfarms.com/welsh-harlequin-ducks.html

I don't facebook, but found this link when looking for silver phase breeders clubs.. maybe you will find some contact or other useful information though..

https://www.facebook.com/groups/welshharlequin/?mibextid=HsNCOg

Please note I read this more than one place.. quote is from hollerads..

"females go through several color changes through the course of a year. The Standard color description is for the fall nuptial plumage."

It sounds like if I want ones with the white head and dark feet I might be best off buying adults instead?
Thank you for the FB link!! I was just scrolling through it and someone said the same thing that you quoted (that their hens change colors throughout the years).

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It sounds like if I want ones with the white head and dark feet I might be best off buying adults instead?

That sounds about right.

Since I worry too much about disease (whole flocks have been put down over hpai).. I would choose to buy several ducklings from my preferred AI free hatchery and grow them out, selling off (or harvesting) the less preferred ones when the time comes.

Even on Holderread's farm website he has silver phase hens that are darker (and have dark heads) and say they're the correct breed standard. I'm confused.

This quote from hollerads.. is likely accurate.. age matters for some things.

"First year Harlequin females typically have lighter colored plumage than when they are mature."

And the link to their site and descriptions..
http://www.holderreadfarm.com/photogallery/welsh_page/welsh_page.htm

I can't access APA standard of perfection but as far as I could tell the standard of perfection calls for.. "a creamy white head with brown stippling" with the main difference between the gold and silver phase being in the wing.. and white head you're looking for is a personal preference. (which I do also agree that white is striking and beautiful in contrast)

https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/poultry-101/welsh-harlequin-ducks-breed-profile/

It was interesting to see the difference in dark verses light feet in the pics here.. (the bills also, show good verse less desired colors)

https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/welsh-harlequin-duck/

Considering the input from Dave Hollerad indicated by the other links.. seems like they MIGHT be a good place to start..

Cancel that, upon further investigation their site says their not shipping anymore.

But this statement came from the price list page for comparison to the broad numbers I stated earlier (and a little encouragement) of how hard it to get top quality birds..

"*Top Show Quality Ducklings are out of our special exhibition matings. Keep in mind that not every baby out of even the best stock will be a show bird. A good rule of thumb is to raise 2 to 3 babies for each adult show bird wanted."

You can get them sexed for next season if you order from Cackle..

https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/welsh-harlequins/

I know there are more duck folks on here, and hope you will get some more fantastic feedback.

Happy adventures!

 

[MerryMeridional]

I have Holderread silver phase Welsh harlequins. They were white headed this summer but when they molted for the winter, they are more brown hued. I am not sure if it's seasonal color change or age related.

From the quotes in the above post, it seems to be more age related.

 

[Aunt Angus]

My girl from Metzer has a white head and black feet - and the correct color speculum. She also lays internally. It's a crap shoot.

She was very white as a youngster, got darker after her first molt, and is white again after her most recent molt. She is utterly gorgeous.

I think Metzer sourced their lines from Holderread. I agree with others: buy a handful and breed the ones who have the traits you want.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I need to get more current pics, but here she is early in her most recent molt. Her head was much darker at that time:

It's pouring outside right now, but I'll try to get a current pic. She's very white currently.

ETA - Here she is today:

 

[Newbie6789]

Interesting post. I am not breeding ducks for sale (I sell eggs for eating) and feel quite lucky as the ones I got from Farm and Fleet (SW Wisconsin) I learned to look for the beak color to identify the females (and it worked!!!) - my females have white heads!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

From everything I'm reading, there is a lot of color change in silver phase ducks, more than the gold phase. Also, it seems that bill and foot color is more important for show quality. Wish I had the SOP to reference, though.

 

[RainbowRabbits]

I have Holderread silver phase Welsh harlequins. They were white headed this summer but when they molted for the winter, they are more brown hued. I am not sure if it's seasonal color change or age related.

From the quotes in the above post, it seems to be more age related.

I've heard from someone else that it's age related as well.

and white head you're looking for is a personal preference. (which I do also agree that white is striking and beautiful in contrast)

This is a shame! I feel like it makes the coloring so much more striking yet its been difficult to find a breeder with a light head.

My girl from Metzer has a white head and black feet - and the correct color speculum. She also lays internally. It's a crap shoot.

She was very white as a youngster, got darker after her first molt, and is white again after her most recent molt. She is utterly gorgeous.

I think Metzer sourced their lines from Holderread. I agree with others: buy a handful and breed the ones who have the traits you want.

That sounds like a great idea! Unfortunately I already bought hatching eggs before realizing there was a difference in coloring so I'm hoping it's age related. How old is your Welsh Harlequin? Also I'm sorry to hear about the internal laying.

I need to get more current pics, but here she is early in her most recent molt. Her head was much darker at that time:
View attachment 3314403
View attachment 3314402
It's pouring outside right now, but I'll try to get a current pic. She's very white currently.

ETA - Here she is today:
View attachment 3314409

She's very beautiful!!

Interesting post. I am not breeding ducks for sale (I sell eggs for eating) and feel quite lucky as the ones I got from Farm and Fleet (SW Wisconsin) I learned to look for the beak color to identify the females (and it worked!!!) - my females have white heads!!

Aww that's nice to hear. Do you have any pictures of your females? Thank you!!

From everything I'm reading, there is a lot of color change in silver phase ducks, more than the gold phase. Also, it seems that bill and foot color is more important for show quality. Wish I had the SOP to reference, though.

That makes sense, thank you.