Buyer's Remorse - are my new Anconas actually a cross? Experts weigh in please!

[harriedhomemaker]

I found this picture from user Mellybelly... She posted last year about this same thing. I copied a picture from the ducks, and seems this is a natural thing..

As you can see, this one has much more green sheen along with some purple sheen.

Thank you!

 

[toadbriar]

Oh how lucky to have found four hens available - and so nicely marked! How old are they? They look just like nice Anconas to me, the green color is just the light reflecting off nice healthy feathers. One of mine has purple-blue. Even chocolates can have the green iridescence. Have they just molted? Mine are in the midst of molt, some just finished up and are looking all spiffy, like these ladies. I think these girls will balance your flock really nicely in terms of markings. Who's your drake(s)?

I have seen rooster tails iridescence and I don't think it's as striking as the black duck feathers can be, maybe it has to do with the oil in the feathers or something.

 

[harriedhomemaker]

Oh how lucky to have found four hens available - and so nicely marked! How old are they? They look just like nice Anconas to me, the green color is just the light reflecting off nice healthy feathers. One of mine has purple-blue. Even chocolates can have the green iridescence. Have they just molted? Mine are in the midst of molt, some just finished up and are looking all spiffy, like these ladies. I think these girls will balance your flock really nicely in terms of markings. Who's your drake(s)?

I have seen rooster tails iridescence and I don't think it's as striking as the black duck feathers can be, maybe it has to do with the oil in the feathers or something.

Thanks for weighing in, Kim.

The lady I bought them from received them as a swap for other ducks, so she didn't know much other than they are this year's hatch. She didn't even know if they are laying yet because they were in a pen with other ducks and she didn't know who was laying. They are definitely larger than my seven weekers and most definitely female because they quack up a storm! I was so excited to find them and even more excited now that I know the green feathers are normal!



In this photo, my drakes are the two on the left (chocolate, black). The tricolor in the middle we sexed at 1 day old as a female, but she isn't quacking like the two on the right (chocolate and technically tricolor [mostly blue with just a few flecks of black]). S/he's still peeping, so s/he could go either way.

 

[Oregon Blues]

They look like anconas to me. The green you are seeing on the wing might be the speculum which is usually green or blue.

 

[harriedhomemaker]

They look like anconas to me. The green you are seeing on the wing might be the speculum which is usually green or blue.

Thank you! I still have so much to learn about poultry, especially waterfowl.

 

[Macro]

I don't really have anything to add other than, what gorgeous duckies you have! Makes me want to get Anconas.

 

[toadbriar]

I was so excited to find them and even more excited now that I know the green feathers are normal!

Better than normal IMO - I always thought of the iridescence as quite desirable but maybe that's just me

I especially like your new spotty gal in the foreground. If the tricolor blue turns out to be a drake she'd balance out his overmarking nicely I bet.

 

[harriedhomemaker]

Better than normal IMO - I always thought of the iridescence as quite desirable but maybe that's just me

I especially like your new spotty gal in the foreground. If the tricolor blue turns out to be a drake she'd balance out his overmarking nicely I bet.

I had never read about or seen iridescence in Anconas before. I feel kind of stupid.

 

[harriedhomemaker]

I don't really have anything to add other than, what gorgeous duckies you have! Makes me want to get Anconas.

I highly recommend Anconas. I love the variety and I have no trouble telling them all apart.

 

[Hemlock Hill]

Yes- my anconas have green sheen on them as well. Pretty!