Quacking Into the New Year!Metzer Farms January 2026 Newsletter
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2026 is here and we’re kicking it off the best way we know how, surrounded by feathers, fresh starts, and a whole lot of quacking.
Our 2026 catalog is finally here! Thank you to everyone that shared your amazing photos with us - we appreciate each and every one of you for making it so special.
We've already mailed physical copies to customers who ordered recently, so keep an eye on your mailbox. They should be arriving over the next few weeks!
Can't wait to see it? View the catalog online HERE or fill out the Google Form below to request a physical copy.
It’s January, which means it’s officially time to start preparing for your 2026 feathered friends! It's always best to do your research and be ready for your flock to arrive so they can have a healthy start.
To prepare, make sure you have these ready:
Brooder: Clean, dry area with no drafts
Heat Lamp or Plate: Initial temperature at 90-95 degrees
Shavings: At least 2” of pine shavings or straw for bedding
Feed: Waterfowl Starter crumbles or All Flock Starter crumbles
Water: Elevated to a height where birds can drink, but not get wet or make a mess
VitaMetz Waterfowl Boost: Vitamin, mineral, electrolyte, probiotic supplement packed with all of the niacin your flock needs to thrive
Please look through our past blogs to learn more about preparation, care, management, and more!
Ever noticed a duck’s wing sticking out sideways and wondered what’s up? We’ve got the full scoop on what causes it, how to spot it early, and the simple steps you can take to keep your flock growing strong. Check it out before those wings set!
If you want to dive even deeper, we sell a pamphlet by Dave Holderread called Wing Disorders in Waterfowl that goes into great detail on the causes, prevention, and treatment of Angel (or Twisted) Wing, Split Wing and Lazy Wing. There are illustrations of each condition and how to correct the problem with slings and tape!
The Welsh Harlequin is a relatively new duck breed, developed in 1949 by Leslie Bonnett in Wales from two off colored Khaki Campbell ducklings. The breed was introduced to the United States in 1968 and was officially accepted into the American Poultry Association in 2001 in the Light Duck class. Since then, it has gained popularity for its well balanced multipurpose qualities.
Welsh Harlequins are known for their calm and inquisitive temperament, making them an excellent choice for both small flocks and larger farm settings. They are strong foragers and adapt well to a variety of environments. On our farm, they consistently stand out as one of the calmest breeds we raise. In addition to their temperament, they also make an attractive dressed bird. Their under feathers are almost entirely white, resulting in a clean, appealing carcass comparable to that of pure white breeds.
One particularly interesting trait of the Welsh Harlequin is the ability to determine sex shortly after hatching with approximately 90% accuracy based on bill color. Ducklings with darker bills are typically males, while lighter bills that end in a dark spot are usually females. This distinction fades within a few days. Interestingly, the pattern reverses as they grow - adult males usually have light-colored bills, while adult females' bills are darker, as you can see in the photo here.
As adults, Welsh Harlequins are striking birds, especially the females, which display intricate feather patterns and rich coloration. There are two recognized varieties of Welsh Harlequins, Silver and Gold. The Silver variety is the more common of the two and is the variety we offer.
Did you know that you can upload photos of your flock directly to our website? Simply sign in to your Metzer Farms account and upload your photo at the link below! Uploaded photos that are good representations of the breed will be accepted and then posted on our website so that other customers can view them.
You can also view photos submitted by other customers by clicking on "Breed Photo Gallery" below the breed photos on www.metzerfarms.com. See photo below.
By submitting your photo, you’re giving us permission to use it in any Metzer Farms communication, helping spread the joy of our feathered friends far and wide. Grab your camera, strike a pose, and let’s make our flock famous! 🦆✨
Since 2011, we have been hiding a tiny black duck somewhere on the Metzer Farms website every month! Find it, click it, and enter your information for a chance to win a $40 Metzer Farms Gift Certificate. One winner is chosen monthly, so keep hunting, clicking, and entering for your chance to win! Ready, duck sleuths? Your next win could be this month!
You're receiving this email because you have previously expressed interest in Metzer Farms.
Please forward this newsletter to a friend. You may unsubscribe at any time.
