The Welsh Harlequin is a [[Ducks|duck]] breed developed in Wales in the mid-20th century and known for its attractive silver plumage and excellent egg production. The breed is a dual-purpose duck valued for both eggs and meat, with a calm temperament and good foraging ability. Welsh Harlequins are among the more recent standardized duck breeds and have gained a following among small-scale and homestead duck keepers.
The Welsh Harlequin was developed in 1949 by Group Captain Leslie Bonnet of Criccieth, Wales. Bonnet discovered a color mutation in a flock of Khaki Campbell ducks, resulting in birds with a lighter, silver-and-white plumage pattern. He selectively bred for this color variation, naming the result the Welsh Harlequin. The breed was further refined by Bonnet and other breeders to fix the color and improve production traits.
The Welsh Harlequin was imported to the United States in the 1970s and was admitted to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 2001, making it a relatively recent addition to the standard. The breed is recognized by the Livestock Conservancy as a recovering breed.
Welsh Harlequins are medium-sized ducks with a light, attractive plumage. The drake has a silver-and-white body with an iridescent green head and chestnut breast. The hen is light brown with silver markings and a striped face pattern. Both sexes have orange legs and feet. Hens weigh 4 to 5 pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kilograms), and drakes weigh 4.5 to 5.5 pounds (2.0 to 2.5 kilograms).
Welsh Harlequins are excellent layers, producing 250 to 320 large white eggs per year. The hens are not typically broody, which maximizes laying time. The breed has a calm, friendly temperament and is easy to handle. Their smaller size means they require less feed than the heavy duck breeds. The body shape is similar to the Khaki Campbell but lighter in build.
Welsh Harlequins are kept for their high egg production and as a dual-purpose homestead duck. The eggs are large and white, suitable for table use and baking. The breed's moderate body size also makes it usable for meat, producing a smaller but flavorful carcass.
The breed is well-suited to free-range systems due to its foraging ability and calm temperament. The light-colored plumage is attractive but makes the birds more visible to predators. Welsh Harlequins are cold-hardy and adaptable to a variety of climates.