Ancona duckling with white down not yellow

[Happy Hill Farmstead]

Someone that purchased eggs from us sent a picture of this Ancona duckling that was hatched alive, but later passed away. I am concerned because its coloring was off; normally Anconas hatch with yellow down but this one had white down and its bill looks off too. Any ideas on what could've caused this? We have never had one hatch out at home like this.

 

[GodLovesU]

Is there any way your breeder Anconas came into contact with other ducks?

 

[Happy Hill Farmstead]

Is there any way your breeder Anconas came into contact with other ducks?

No, we have Welsh Harlequin ducks too, but they are in a completely separate area; there were only anconas in the pen where these eggs were gathered. Thanks

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

I had an Ancona duckling hatch with pale down several weeks ago. It wasn't pure white but it was lighter than yellow. It was an assisted hatch and didn't live more than a day or two. I don't know if the lack of color is related to the early death but I might try to look into it.

 

[Happy Hill Farmstead]

I had an Ancona duckling hatch with pale down several weeks ago. It wasn't pure white but it was lighter than yellow. It was an assisted hatch and didn't live more than a day or two. I don't know if the lack of color is related to the early death but I might try to look into it.

I feel like it is most likely related based on what I am seeing from this one, but I am having a terribly hard time getting any information about it, if you find any please let me know. Thanks!