The Truth Behind Crested Ducks - Page 3  

Hi Kevin -- is that also true for "tufted" geese ? thanks, Patsy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin565 

That's a great question! To the best of my knowledge the two are very different. Tufted feathers just tend to point up more in that section rather than other feathers instead of being caused by a skull deformity. I personally do not raise the breed so if any Tufted Roman people could verify this it would be greatly appreciated. 

Someone else mentioned Silkies, I assume she meant chickens. This does not hold true for the crested breeds of chicken, does it? Thanks for the information, BTW, I had no idea that this was a health issue. I thought it was just feathers and some extra skin. I will keep this in mind for the future, and will pass it on as well.

I have a crested Rouen. I think she's awesome and my friends love her the most because of her "mohawk" but I didn't go out to specifically buy a crested duck. She was my "rouen" order from California Hatchery and they get their stock from Metzer. Seems like there can be a chance for getting a crested duck from a "normal" duckling order. 

i have a crested silver appleyard duck that came in my holderread's order in june. holderread's doesn't even sell crested breeds so i have no idea where she came from, but she is quite beautiful.

If people stop wanting these ducks, people will stop breeding for and hatching them.  Everyone who becomes a consciensious objector to this cruel and unadvisable liability to the species, and shares their info, is another step and maybe many helpors, for the species of duck.

Sometimes crested just happens. A great breeder like Dave Holderread can hardly be held to account if the occasional crested duck happens.

Chicks and ducklings once sexed (if that is done) are not usually further separated into crested and non. They are packed as they come through.

I also don't think anyone should be made to feel as though they should apologize if they like and want crested ducks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrielacy 

Sometimes crested just happens. A great breeder like Dave Holderread can hardly be held to account if the occasional crested duck happens.

Chicks and ducklings once sexed (if that is done) are not usually further separated into crested and non. They are packed as they come through.

 

I also don't think anyone should be made to feel as though they should apologize if they like and want crested ducks.

Yes but she was just trying to warn people. I personally don't like them, but its not like shes trying to make people feel bad. Its warning people.

It is true that defects happen, but I must say that I feel like allowing a defect that is fatal is not a good breeding decision.  When I was still getting my pre-med degree, we discussed the nature of humans wanting to breed defects into benefits.  Sometimes it works out, some defects don't actually injure or cause death in animals, but any defect that is always on the edge of a blade, in embryotic offspring death, juvenile and adult death, all traceable to one specific defect, like crested ducks in these case, should be discouraged.  This is a bad defect, it maims and kills more than 50% of offspring either in the shell, or afterword. 

 I don't know that there need be guilt feeling involved for loving or having these ducks.  There is also sound reason to begin to discourage the breeding of death genes.