Bullseye on yolk = fertilized egg?

[Ravynscroft]

Ok devil's advocate. How long have you had them? How old are they? Have you actually heard all 3 separately quack? Could you have a drake in eclipse plumage?

Yes im still learning but just found a Google image of a runner duck in mallard colors that makes me excited for ducklings next year. Runner alpha drake and 2 Rouen females in the mix.

Drakes in eclipse have faded/washed out speculums... all of hers are bright blue...

 

[pamelajean]

Ok devil's advocate. How long have you had them? How old are they? Have you actually heard all 3 separately quack? Could you have a drake in eclipse plumage?

Yes im still learning but just found a Google image of a runner duck in mallard colors that makes me excited for ducklings next year. Runner alpha drake and 2 Rouen females in the mix.

They are 22 weeks old and have heard very definate quacks from all three. Unless I have a drake with no drake feather in eclipse with a female voice...I am new to ducks too so it's a mystery!

 

[kesrchicky16]

Drakes in eclipse have faded/washed out speculums... all of hers are bright blue...

You are exactly what I need. I hesitate to believe google for somethings. But that picture does make me excited for ducklings a runner in mallard like nuptial plumage. BEE YOU TIFF ALL!

 

[kesrchicky16]

They are 22 weeks old and have heard very definate quacks from all three. Unless I have a drake with no drake feather in eclipse with a female voice...I am new to ducks too so it's a mystery!

Eclipse apparently only happens after the first full year. So 22 weeks can't be eclipse.

Any other waterfowl males? I haven't looked into hybrids with ducks but possible chicken hybrids are unbelievable. Peacock, pheasant, roosters to female turkeys...

 

[Ravynscroft]

They are 22 weeks old and have heard very definate quacks from all three. Unless I have a drake with no drake feather in eclipse with a female voice...I am new to ducks too so it's a mystery!

All have definite loud quacks, then female... I am betting they have a visitor... keep your eyes out for one...

You are exactly what I need. I hesitate to believe google for somethings. But that picture does make me excited for ducklings a runner in mallard like nuptial plumage. BEE YOU TIFF ALL!

I can help you with colors, patterns and genetics... feel free to PM if you wish, or start a thread and tag me...

Eclipse plumage is actually similar to juvenile plumage, not female... in some colors this makes a big difference... and females eclipse as well, just only noticeable in certain colors as well...

Eclipse apparently only happens after the first full year. So 22 weeks can't be eclipse.

Any other waterfowl males? I haven't looked into hybrids with ducks but possible chicken hybrids are unbelievable. Peacock, pheasant, roosters to female turkeys...

She mentioned a mallard pair visiting earlier in the year... any mallard derived domestic ducks can hatch viable offspring with mallards...

Some of the pairings you mention are actually not possible... some are just too genetically different...

 

[kesrchicky16]

Some of the pairings you mention are actually not possible... some are just too genetically different...

I researched the chicken stuff quite heavily when I had a EE chicken run off broody when I didn't know more then feed them, collect eggs, repeat and didn't have a roo. I've come to the conclusion she was just crazy but found small farm pics of actual hybrids that hatched and survived. Most turkeys and chickens can't but 1 certain breed of female turkey can with 1 certain roo. That was a whole case study of thousands if eggs. Most pheasant breeds can mix with heritage chickens semi easily and peacocks are simply Indian or bermeese pheasants.

All that said most hybrids of any species don't survive as well as pure bred or closely bred animals.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I researched the chicken stuff quite heavily when I had a EE chicken run off broody when I didn't know more then feed them, collect eggs, repeat and didn't have a roo. I've come to the conclusion she was just crazy but found small farm pics of actual hybrids that hatched and survived. Most turkeys and chickens can't but 1 certain breed of female turkey can with 1 certain roo. That was a whole case study of thousands if eggs. Most pheasant breeds can mix with heritage chickens semi easily and peacocks are simply Indian or bermeese pheasants.

All that said most hybrids of any species don't survive as well as pure bred or closely bred animals.

Or if they do survive they are "mules".... like chicken and guinea hybrids... but those are so hard to hatch even...

Muscovy and Mallard derived can breed together, but all offspring are mullards (mules)...

 

[kesrchicky16]

Isn't genetics interesting? I had no idea that most ducks started as mallard. And most dogs were wolves in the way back when.

But back to @pamelajean your ducks are beautiful and who knows you may get free ducklings at some point.

 

[Pyxis]

I researched the chicken stuff quite heavily when I had a EE chicken run off broody when I didn't know more then feed them, collect eggs, repeat and didn't have a roo. I've come to the conclusion she was just crazy but found small farm pics of actual hybrids that hatched and survived. Most turkeys and chickens can't but 1 certain breed of female turkey can with 1 certain roo. That was a whole case study of thousands if eggs. Most pheasant breeds can mix with heritage chickens semi easily and peacocks are simply Indian or bermeese pheasants.

All that said most hybrids of any species don't survive as well as pure bred or closely bred animals.

By the way, since I'm not sure if you meant you thought your hen was crazy because she went broody with no rooster, they definitely don't have to have mated or have fertile eggs to go broody. When their hormones tell them to do it, they do it, whether they have ever seen a male in their lives or not

 

[JeanR]

Bulls eye is not a reliable check on a fertile egg. There are many variations of the chalazae, that holds the yolk in place. And the Germinal disc can easily thought to be the bulls eye. Only by incubation can you be certain. And, of course the egg you opened, may not look just like the next one. Store bought eggs, not fertilized as a rule, may also have the bulls eye or be perfectly clear, with no view of the chalazae. No matter,----
if not saving eggs for hatching, they are all GOOD FOOD, no matter how you fix them!