In response to the thread: The Truth Behind Crested Ducks

[StevenW.]

I agree with a bunch of the information, BUT I DO NOT agree that people should stop buying or breeding them. That's like saying that people should stop breeding and selling Araucana's, Japanese Bantam's, and Call Ducks! Which all carry a gene that kills some embryo's inside the egg. And I also do not agree that people should be ashamed at themselves for wanting them, either. I've had all those breeds before and I currently have Call Ducks, does it break my heart when they die in the shell? Yes, yes it does, but that is part of nature and is out of my hands but when I do get them to hatch out and live that makes it all worth it in the end.


To duck owners or future duck owners: Just because there is some bad traits in a breed doesn't mean you can't get them! That just means that you have to research and find what is best for you.

That's MY 2 cents. Getting off of my soap box now. ;o)

 

[gritsar]

I agree StevenW. I have a crested runner duck hen and one that has a partial crest - just a few cute feathers sticking out of the side of her head. They weren't ordered as crested, but that doesn't make their presence in my life any less precious.

my runner girls.

 

[StevenW.]

I agree StevenW. I have a crested runner duck hen and one that has a partial crest - just a few cute feathers sticking out of the side of her head. They weren't ordered as crested, but that doesn't make their presence in my life any less precious.

my runner girls.

Aren't crested ducks just lovely? )

 

[redhen]

Yep..i looooove them! I've had several of them and have never had any neuro problems with them at all..

 

[Marty1876]

My two cents worth, for all that two cents doesn't go far these days.

More than any other "specialty" breed, crested ducks not only sometimes die invitro, but also is far more likely to die in youth, and to suffer sudden or sporatic neuro issues.

Nobody should feel guilty for giving a good home to a bird that allready exists. Folks should give careful consdieration to the need to continue breeding though, as not everyone understands that you must not breed crested to each other, as almost all offspring will die early or later. Thats unfair to owners and ducks alike. But, to love any duck is a beautiful thing.

I own an accidental crested. I got several anconas, and one turned out to have a tiny poof. This is a small gentic flaw, and it does occur naturally. I will not, however, allow this duck to propogate, but he makes my DD a very fine pet.

To the best of my knowledge, the authoer of The Truth Behind Crested Ducks has never told anyone to feel guilty, and has expressed that it should not be so. I know that they are a rescue volunteer for special needs birds and animals, and has ended up with so many mental crested ducks, that they felt obligated to enlighten.

Off my soapbox now too.

 

[The Howards]

We got a crested Rouen from the feed store locally to where we live. We didn't know it was a flaw. I just thought she was so tiny and cute, especially her little poof on her head. After we got her home we noticed she was very unsteady on her feet. She seemed to flop over and when she walked she walked in waves instead of straight lines. At the advise of someone on here we started putting brewers yeast on their food. It has helped but the best thing we did for her was to put her in the pen so she gets lots of exercise chasing her 3 buddies. Now she runs and walks much better. If she is really tired she still wobbles really bad. So i can kinda agree with not breeding them on purpose when you know that a good portion of them will suffer. However if i come across one that is the last little duckie in the pen for sale, i will assuredly take her home and raise her the best i can. I love my little poofy duck, she is very sweet and loves to tuck her head under my chin. I think she is awesome, we hope she lives a long and happy life.

 

[cskotek]

Aweeeee, this makes me want a crested duck even more just thinking about them. I think they are adorable even if they don't live long. But with there flaws there is alot of dogs that are continuously bred even though some get bad skin allergies, nose issues, sinus issues, eye issues, etc. So, I think it can be allowed with ducks too. I also believe though that if a certain duck is known to have an issue it shouldn't breed and try to ween the issues out

 

[fastrnrik]

Wow, I never knew crested ducks were birth defects. Interesting. I have 4 crested ducks- a M/F pair of runners, a rouen drake, and a fat little pekin drake with a GIANT puff afro. We call him Puffy or Puff Daddy, like the rapper LOL. I bought them all as adults and all four of them seem perfectly normal to me. They function fine and socialize / normally with all the other ducks & geese. If there were any neurological issues that affected them, we would surely notice because we spend a lot of time just sitting & watching the ducks & geese be silly. Maybe we got lucky?

 

[Kevin565]

I really do wish people would stop putting words in my mouth. To clarify I have never said that crested duck owners were bad people or that they should be ashamed of having crested ducks. If people would take the time to read my other posts regarding the subject they would know that I have also owned a crested duck in the past. While I don't personally agree with the breeding of crested ducks the purpose of the thread was never to down the owners or breeders of crested ducks. The last line of my post was:


Quote: That was the exact point of my thread. To let potential owners know the things that could happen when dealing with a crested duck. When I had a crested duck I had no idea what the crest was or what it's effects were. I had to watch several ducklings slowly die from neurological issues caused from being crested. I would not wish that on anyone. If people want to own crested ducks then that is their right.Just like it is my right to not want to own them. I only want to inform future duck owners of some of the potential issues they could run into once they own them. Many people keep crested ducks and have absolutely no problems associated with them. I'm glad that they do not have any to deal with any of there issues but that does not mean that will apply to everyone else's experience,


In reality it's all just about choices. You can choose to keep or breed them or not. As long as everyone has information from both sides of the issue then people can make a reasonable decision on their own.

 

[jdywntr]

I really do wish people would stop putting words in my mouth. To clarify I have never said that crested duck owners were bad people or that they should be ashamed of having crested ducks. If people would take the time to read my other posts regarding the subject they would know that I have also owned a crested duck in the past. While I don't personally agree with the breeding of crested ducks the purpose of the thread was never to down the owners or breeders of crested ducks. The last line of my post was:


That was the exact point of my thread. To let potential owners know the things that could happen when dealing with a crested duck. When I had a crested duck I had no idea what the crest was or what it's effects were. I had to watch several ducklings slowly die from neurological issues caused from being crested. I would not wish that on anyone. If people want to own crested ducks then that is their right.Just like it is my right to not want to own them. I only want to inform future duck owners of some of the potential issues they could run into once they own them. Many people keep crested ducks and have absolutely no problems associated with them. I'm glad that they do not have any to deal with any of there issues but that does not mean that will apply to everyone else's experience,


In reality it's all just about choices. You can choose to keep or breed them or not. As long as everyone has information from both sides of the issue then people can make a reasonable decision on their own.

I don't have any crested ducks, nor would I want any. I plan to breed all of my birds to get the best, fastest growing, good brooders, good mothers, good layers. I breed my birds for meat so to me it would be a waste of time and space to knowingly breed something where a good portion of the ducklings may die in the shell or at a young age.

I think it is a decision that everyone needs to make on their own. And while humans have bred many animals to the point of deformity (English Bulldogs for instance) I personally wouldn't.