Our New Backyard Beauties: Welsh Harlequin Ducks

I am so excited to share pictures of our new livestock/pets/lawn ornaments!  (They are very shy right now, understandably, so I'll have nicer pictures in a week or so).

We took a little roadtrip 40 miles south to Conway, Washington to purchase a small breeding flock of Welsh Harlequin ducks. Yes - I said breeding flock!

Welsh Harlequins are an endangered breed of domesticated duck listed as "critical" by the Livestock Conservancy. I figured, if we want eggs and are already buying several females, why not go all the way and get a drake too?  This breed does fairly well with brooding (sitting on their eggs to hatch them- some domestic birds, like my quail,won't) and natural mothering, so if I create the right conditions I hope they will hatch and raise their own young.  I love the idea of contributing to a conservation effort and helping to preserve genetic diversity among domestic ducks.

And aren't they BEAUTIFUL!!

More about the ducks later... I'm sitting outside by their pen typing this on my phone. I just couldn't wait to share pictures!

Peace, love, and ducks,
Lauren