Apricot Trout vs Blue Trout Runners Ducks

[Waddlewoods]

I just hatched out some eggs I purchased from an Apricot Trout breeding program. It was stated there was a chance of apricot trout and blue trout.
Upon hatch I noticed one of the ducklings was a bit darker - still yellow but with more of a light blue tinge. Now they are starting to get their feathers and all but one of them are getting these beautiful rosey coloured feathers but that one is getting a lighter pale colour with a slightly blue tinge.

I can't find any comparison pics between Blue Trout and Apricot Trout. Can I assume the one is a Blue?

 

[Papaye]

Hi!

Here : https://www.duskyfeatherswaterfowl.com/mallard-pattern

Look at the 4th colour - "Mallard Pattern/Light Phase with single Blue" : it is the Blue Trout colour.

 

[Waddlewoods]

Hi!

Here : https://www.duskyfeatherswaterfowl.com/mallard-pattern

Look at the 4th colour - "Mallard Pattern/Light Phase with single Blue" : it is the Blue Trout colour.

Oh thank you! That's actually where I ordered my eggs from. I can't believe I missed that as I've read over all the info on there several times in the past. So much info to take in when learning about genetics.

I believe my one duckling (Rain) is infact a blue trout then as that's what she looked like as a duckling and her feathers are looking just like that with a ton of grey/blue. So happy she is female. Out of the 5 trouts that hatched (4 apricot & 1 blue) it sounds like at least 3 are female which I'm happy with.

 

[Papaye]

Oh thank you!

You are welcome!

That's actually where I ordered my eggs from. I can't believe I missed that as I've read over all the info on there several times in the past. So much info to take in when learning about genetics.

I feel I have learned a lot from them.

The pictures are really helpful - especially the ones showing the ducklings -, but it is true there are a lot of information to remember!

(You need time to learn, and then time to digest what you have learned...)

I believe my one duckling (Rain) is infact a blue trout then as that's what she looked like as a duckling and her feathers are looking just like that with a ton of grey/blue. So happy she is female.

You are lucky, then!!

I have one : a Blue Trout coloured Indian Runner hen.
And in my opinion, this colour look so much prettier in real life than in pictures...!!

Out of the 5 trouts that hatched (4 apricot & 1 blue) it sounds like at least 3 are female which I'm happy with.

It is good.
2 drakes for 3 hens is not considered a good ratio, but since they are growing up together, it actually might work...? (You never know...!)

Are you planning to keep the five of them?

 

[Waddlewoods]

You are welcome!



I feel I have learned a lot from them.

The pictures are really helpful - especially the ones showing the ducklings -, but it is true there are a lot of information to remember!

(You need time to learn, and then time to digest what you have learned...)



You are lucky, then!!

I have one : a Blue Trout coloured Indian Runner hen.
And in my opinion, this colour look so much prettier in real life than in pictures...!!



It is good.
2 drakes for 3 hens is not considered a good ratio, but since they are growing up together, it actually might work...? (You never know...!)

Are you planning to keep the five of them?

I'm hoping one of the other two is a hen and one a drake. I also have one snowy runner duckling with them. I had 7 snowy eggs and only two hatched and one had bad wry neck and unfortunately did not make it.

I have a full grown snowy runner drake from last year's hatch so I'm hoping that one snowy duckling is female but no quack yet, still early though as they are only 4 weeks old.

I also have an existing flock of 16 runners which includes 2 drakes. This breeding season has gone well with these particular drakes - last year I had some very aggressive drakes, I rehomed some and unfortunately racoons took out the others.

So my plan is to see how it goes and rehome if necessary. I will be separating into breeding pens for the trouts and snowys in the spring.

 

[Papaye]

I also have one snowy runner duckling with them. I had 7 snowy eggs and only two hatched and one had bad wry neck and unfortunately did not make it.

Just to be sure : when you say "snowy", do you mean Welsh Harlequin ducks' colour?

Do the eggs come from Dusky Feathers Waterflow too?

I have a full grown snowy runner drake from last year's hatch so I'm hoping that one snowy duckling is female but no quack yet, still early though as they are only 4 weeks old.

Huuuh... would be really great if it was a girl, so you can make Snowy coloured babies eventually...!!
(They are so beautiful...!!)

I also have an existing flock of 16 runners which includes 2 drakes.

What colours?!

 

[Waddlewoods]

Yep, they are from Dusky Feathers. The drake I rescued in the fall from a lady nearby who hatched him that spring. He was a bit crusty so we named him Rusty. Here he is...

The rest of my flock is a mix of black, blue, silver and lilac.

I also have 33 eggs hatching over the next 24hrs AND my Silver hen and her black sister are tandem sitting on 27 eggs set to hatch next week. Despite everything you read about runners being horrible moms, these two have hatched out multiple clutches over the past two years and raised them really well! I'll be removing these ducklings this time and selling them as I just don't have the space.

 

[Papaye]

Yep, they are from Dusky Feathers. The drake I rescued in the fall from a lady nearby who hatched him that spring. He was a bit crusty so we named him Rusty. Here he is...

You "rescued" him...? What happened?

He is beautiful, and is going to make cute babies!

(If ever you don't get a Snowy girl : if my understanding is right, you will get Blue Trout ducklings if you breed Rusty to an Apricot Trout girl...?
Advantage is : 50% of the ducklings would then carry Harlequin!)

The rest of my flock is a mix of black, blue, silver and lilac.

Woooow... they are cute, but your Splash (Silver) hen is particularly pretty.
How old is she? Has her plumage always been so white, or is it due to her age?

I also have 33 eggs hatching over the next 24hrs AND my Silver hen and her black sister are tandem sitting on 27 eggs set to hatch next week.

That's a lot!
But can both of your hens really fully cover these 27 eggs?!!

Despite everything you read about runners being horrible moms, these two have hatched out multiple clutches over the past two years and raised them really well!

It is because they are renowed bad moms that I never let my Runner hens sit on eggs...

(But this year, I kind of have to let ONE Runner hen sit on eggs...
Not sure the eggs will eventually hatch : this duck has a dead, gangrened leg that I'm waiting to fall off... so, I don't know if she can turn the eggs in this condition...?)