Welsh Harlequin egg counts from Holderread vs Metzer

[nobueno]

I was getting ready to order some Welsh Harlequins, more than likely from Holderread's. They claim their flock of Harlequins are averaging 260-350 eggs per year, Metzer's claim they're only getting 100-150. Has anyone done an actual comparison between ducks from the two? I mean I understand their estimates varying a little but by 160-200 eggs per year!? I'd pay a little extra initially to get potentially 3x the eggs from my ducks. Could Holderread's selective breeding have lead to the difference? What gives?

Those of you with Harlequins, where did you order from and about how many eggs are you averaging per year?

 

[moosehornstream]

I'm getting Welsh Harlequins this spring from a private breeder, so I don't have personnel experience yet, but everyone I've talked to around here, (in Maine), says theirs average 280+ per year. I saw Metzers stats on the 100-150 and I didn't think that was right... JMO

 

[Ducks4us]

I dont have any welsh harlequins. However i kinda think metzers puts the minimum eggs your duck may lay or something? I dont know. They have the lowest numbers listed for all the breeds compared to what i have read in books and heard from others.
The only ones they have high numbers listed for are khakis, and the golden 300, and white layers.
I know people who have runners from metzers who say they are fantastic layers tho. So ?

 

[Krazyquilts]

I think I was somewhere that at Holderread's, high egg production is one of the traits they select for for Welsh Harlequins, but that really high egg production may not be as important a trait at some of the bigger hatcheries.

I do that if/when I get more Welshies, it will be from Holderread.

 

[apricotvalleywf]

If the Holderreads claim that number, then they have performed egg trials to confirm that number. Metzers and Holderreads produce a very different bird.

 

[learycow]

Metzers lay 300-350 per year. I have raised TONS of their birds over the years. Quality for showing isn't there, buy from Holderread if that's what you are looking for. 100 is LOW and likely a typo