Welsh Harlequin
The Welsh Harlequin is a light to medium domestic duck developed in Wales by Leslie Bonnet from a color mutation in Khaki Campbell stock during the mid twentieth century. It is valued as a layer with a soft, pale patterned appearance: females are cream, fawn, and brown with penciling, while drakes show a green-bronze head, warm breast color, and pale body markings. Silver and gold phases are recognized in different breeding circles, with the silver phase more common in many exhibition lines.
Welsh Harlequins are popular with small farms and backyard keepers because they combine strong egg production with manageable size and a usually quiet, alert temperament. They forage well but still need secure night housing, fresh bathing water, and a balanced waterfowl feed, especially during laying. Some lines have sex-linked bill color in day-old ducklings, but accuracy varies and should not replace later sexing. Breeders should select for vigor, laying ability, correct pattern, and sound legs, since the breed's narrow history makes careless breeding noticeable over time.
Colors: Apricot, Bibbed, Black, Blue, Buff, Chocolate, Fawn, Gold Phase, Gray, Magpie, Mallard, Penciled, Pied, Runner Pattern, Silver, Silver Phase, White
