What are they?

Welsh Harlequin Ducks

They are a lightweight and dual-purpose duck breed. What does that mean and why is it important? Being a lightweight breed means their bodies are light enough that they are able to get around easily, are excellent foragers, and eat lots of bugs. They are excellent at controlling garden pests and your feed bill will be less as well. They can’t fly away but can fly short distances, say across the yard. Due to being a lightweight breed, they often live healthier and longer lives with less health problems than heavyweight breeds.

They are also a dual-purpose breed meaning they are excellent egg layers and also produce great meat. I primarily raise mine for eggs however it is an added bonus that they can also be processed for meat. I find that their eggs are easier to use because they are similar in size to extra-large chicken eggs.

Another amazing and handy trait about them is that they are auto-sexing. When they first hatch you can tell males and females apart by their bill color. This is my favorite thing about them and a huge part of why I chose them as a breed. It’s so much easier to plan my own flock and find good homes when you know if they are male or female when they are little.