Crested questions NOW with Photos!

[Stormieqh]

Hi I'm new here and kind of new to ducks. When we picked up some of our ducklings the guy had a lonely looking crested Pekin that I couldn't leave there. I have seen a number of other crested ducklings but this guy's crest keeps growing. It's not just a small lump with some feathers it's huge and more flat. It falls to the side and weighs a bit. He also has a crooked tail. He seems to get along well and is growing and keeping up with the other ducklings his age I just worry about how large his crest his. He is going to be just a pet, I'm not going to let him breed since I don't want to pass that on.
I have been trying to find information about health issues with crested but all I can really find is that some have fat tumors in their skull....but what about health risks to a duck that has an extremely large crest? It falls down the side of his neck it's so huge. I couldn't even find photos of ducks that look like him on line. I'll get a photo as soon as I can.

 

[HamandLily]

The crest is caused by a genetic defect which in time can cause neurological problems. The fact that it is still growing worries me. Could you take him to a vet?

 

[duckyfromoz]

You can trim the feathers if it bothers him too much. Feathers dont weigh much- but an overly large crest can still present problems. The crooked tail sounds just as much a problem though. It is a sign that his spine may be twisted as well. This can also place pressure on internal organs. So glad that someone concerned about the ducks welfare has ended up with him. Seeing a photo once you are able to post one will help others with crested ducks to make comment.

I have two boys right now- one with a small central crest- the other with a rather weird " tassel" that is actually on his neck rather than coming from the skull- But I wont keep any crested Females to ensure any offspring dont inherit a lethal double dose of the crested gene. Neither of mine have ever shown problems relating to their crests but I do know of people with crested that do have moderate to severe neurological problems.

Have a read of this.

http://www.domestic-waterfowl.co.uk/crested.htm

The ducks pictures ( more so the ones up front ) also have what I would consider very large crests. The third in line almost looks like it is wearing a shower cap

 

[Stormieqh]

It's mostly skin/fat and makes the ducks in those photos look like they have tiny crests. It's attached by a good area but flops around. I hope it doesn't keep growing.

 

[Xaviorffviii]

DO NOT CUT!
I have hatched crested ducklings. Most are fine, but I have a female that is wheelchair bound, and has malformed wings, and a slightly crooked beak.

Many crested ducks have parts of their brain growing outside the skull. This does not mean the brain is "exposed without skin", it means it's covered by skin and hidden by the "crest". This may not be true with every single crested duck, however if you take a pair of scissors, and the duck does have that "exposed" brain, you run the risk of actually cutting his brain. I don't even touch the heads of my crested ducks anymore. I however wouldn't worry at all about how long it is.

Also despite what previous posters have said, I find crested ducks actually recover the older they get. My female was completely helpless as a duckling, but as the months went by she gained much better control of her neck and legs, and eats on her own. The fatty brain usually decreases with time(months-years).

If your duck is walking and eating fine, I wouldn't change anything until he shows signs of unusual behavior.

If you do "have" to cut. Wet his head completely first, so his heads soaked. That will help with seeing what's under the feathers. Then observe and look for any "skin tumors"(which are sometimes his brain) and stay away from it, try not to touch it, and definitely don't poke or pinch! Then only cut the feathers a little at a time, and not too much.

Hopefully I was of help. Godbless

-David

 

[julie75]

I have a couple crested ducks, and they are just as normal as any other duck. We do have 1 duck that we have to trim his crest back so that he can see, but other than that he is fine.



https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/83683_100_2683.jpg

 

[Stormieqh]

I don't plan on cutting anything unless he gets the longer feathers over his eyes. Sometimes the skin falls over one eye and he will flip it over. He has never seemed to be "slow" or have any problems mentally. He keeps up with the rest just fine for playing, eating, drinking. I just worry that he will catch the crest on something or it will keep growing. He is in the house right now because he caught some wing feathers on the chicken roost and ripped them out. He was bleeding pretty good and I didn't want the others to pick on him so I"m keeping him in the house until it heals up. He isn't complaining that means bath time in the tub and lots of extra pampering.

 

[StevenW.]

I wouldn't worry about the crest at all. Breeders have breed the crested gene to where it gets very big and floppy that's what breeders want to strive for.

 

[Xaviorffviii]

Stormieqh Sounds like he's got a really good owner, and having a great time! I'm sure he'll manage with the crest, I have a duck with a big one and he bounces it all over the place, he makes it part of his personality!

 

[Stormieqh]

Here are some photos from today's swim in the tub.