Duck Breed Focus - Crested Ducks

[quackers619]

Here are my sweet babies Hewe and Dandelion

 

[Kevin565]

Created ducks are considered a separate breed? I thought that the crest gene could appear in any breed, much like the polydactyl mutation can appear in any breed of cat and so on. I was under the impression you could have created Perkins, crested rouens, created Swedish, etc... I must have been mistaken. Good to know.

I believe the UK also recognizes several several different colors as a separate standardized breed.

 

[gardavis2]

Need help with heat in S. FL.
We have 6, 3week old ducklings that we're raising at home with the intention of releasing on our lake when they're old enough. They seem to always be panting no matter where we move them if they're not in their little pool. They're on our screened patio now which has a fan and it's covered. But they still look hot. How much heat can they handle? It's 91 today with a feel like of 100+. Thanks

 

[rp riley]

Need help with heat in S. FL.
We have 6, 3week old ducklings that we're raising at home with the intention of releasing on our lake when they're old enough. They seem to always be panting no matter where we move them if they're not in their little pool. They're on our screened patio now which has a fan and it's covered. But they still look hot. How much heat can they handle? It's 91 today with a feel like of 100+. Thanks

I don't know if you have already but try starting your own thread. Just go to the duck forum and press post thread

 

[gardavis2]

Thank you. Sorry, I thought that's where I was.

 

[member 104844]

Reviving this thread…it took me months to get lucky with a TSC that had them in their assortment. I have Cayugas and Buffs (going for blue and lilac SL ducks) and would like to add the Crest in. White x Cayuga = black bib (chance of crest). Buff x White = Blue Mallard (chance of crest), which is a lovely duck! The plans are there, but will about a year to develop.
Despite all of the naysayers, the ducklings are fine, very active and behave like every other duckling.

 

[Sinadrea]

With the powder-puff of feathers on its head, the Crested duck is a truly striking bird. It is a medium-weight dual purpose breed of uncertain origins, the most credible possibility is that crested runner ducks (Bali ducks) were brought to The Netherlands on ships and crossed with local ducks. The crest found on these ducks does occur in Mallards and their derivatives from time to time though, as a mutation, so it is possible that they were bred from sports of common ducks. Through selection, crested ducks have been created. Though striking, the mutation causes a lethal allele combination when two crested ducks are mated together, can cause around 25% of the embryos to die in the shell and there are quite frequently other health problems in the surviving young that hatch, such as twisted necks. From the offspring there will be some crest-less ducks too. If a Crested duck is mated to a crest-less duck, some of the offspring will have crests and no lethal allele combination, leading to dead embryos.

The ducklings grow fairly quickly, making them good birds for the table and they are good layers. An adult drake weighs about 7 pounds, and females about 6 pounds. They were admitted to the APA's Standard of Perfection, which recognises two forms, Black and White, and the british Poultry standards in 1910. Other varieties, such as Grey (Mallard coloration), Buff and Blue have been developed by breeders, and crests may appear on others. Crests should be large and sit symmetrically on the center of the head.

Details:

Purpose: Exhibition, Utility: meat and eggs.
Eggs: 120 to 200 Eggs.
Origin: Unknown but possibly Asia.
Weight: Drake: 7 lb, Duck: 6 lb.


Pic by @LilDucky85


Pic by @Funky Feathers


Pic by @aduckstolemyheart


Pic by @Funky Feathers


Pic by @Funky Feathers

BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/crested-white

BYC Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/837366/crested-ducks-the-whole-picture/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/418920/crested-duck-and-ducklings-thread/0_30


Do you own Crested Ducks? Are you a Crested Duck breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

I got a rescue yesterday, she's so sweet and is my first duckling. I got her from a coworker and she told me it was a male but after I did some research, I believe she's a female because she's quacking a lot. She is growing her adult feathers so I'm not sure how she'll look as an adult.