Duck Egg Colour Genetics

[PerkinandCo]

So...I just put 28 duck eggs in my incubator. Eighteen are Welsh Harlequin, which I expect white eggs from, same as I get from them now. Seven are Khaki Campbell x Welsh Harlequin, and three are Khaki Campbell x Cayuga. My female Cayuga lays green eggs, and I am curious what her daughters will lay if I am able to hatch any.

I found this article (https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/eggs-meat/how-genetics-determine-duck-egg-color/) that says the green egg gene could really come through in the daughters, which would be pretty awesome:

The tendency to lay shells with biliverdin (green shells) and without (white shells) is in the genotype. Green shells (G) are dominant. This means, if the hen has a strong (G) gene, but the drake doesn’t, her ducklings will most likely also have a strong (G) gene.

But this isn’t always the case. Because they’ve been bred so many times, many duck breeds have both (G) and (W) genes, some stronger than others. This would be expressed (Gg) for two green genes, (Gw) for a dominant green gene over recessive white, and (Ww) where the duckling received two white genes with no green gene to overrule. (link)

How cool is that?! Extra bonus: The ducklings I hatch from Dutchess' green eggs should be sex-linked, since she is mated with a Khaki Campbell drake. Pretty cool! Can't wait to see if these eggs hatch successfully!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Very interesting about the egg color. I love genetics! We are going to need to see pictures of those cute little chocolate and black ducklings!

 

[Goosebaby]

And here I am over here side eyeing all my girls who were advertised to lay blue eggs yet all lay white eggs.