Duck Identification Help Muscovy, Ancona or mix?

[PikeDoss]

This weekend I went somewhere local to purchase some muscovy female ducks to avoid going the straight run route. Once I got there, I noticed how bad the conditions of the place were and quickly discovered the person did not know what breeds they had or much about ducks in general. I really wanted to leave as fast as I could and have nothing to do with the place, but saw two 3-4 week olds that are just at feathering age and one that is probably about 6-8 weeks old that were in a very unclean bare pen with water that was mostly waste trembling and huddling in a corner. Seeing those three young ducks in that situation I couldn't leave without giving them a better home and do anything I can to improve their life. They are in quarantine currently, but acting/looking a lot better and are super friendly after getting a much needed bath, fresh water and what I'm assuming is the first real food in their life.

Long story long; I'm curious to others feedback on what breed these 3 might be (hoping all are females and no drakes)? I feel the grey/maybe blue/black and white (hard to tell with current new feathering) and brown and white might possibly be Ancona's or some mix. The guy claimed to have no clue what they were, but said the dominantly black/white was definitely a female muscovy, however most pictures I've seen she looks different making me question is she a muscovy, muscovy mix or something else. Brown and white quacks; grey and white seems to semi quack and black and white goes between a quack and a sound I'm not familiar with possibly indicating muscovy. Any thoughts/feedback of what anyone thinks they might be would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[bantamluv]

Yeah, the guy definitely had NO idea what they are - not sure I do either!!! The black and white one seems to look like a Duclair/Ancona something, but given the fact I know a whole lot about chickens and not a bunch about ducks, I wouldn't know what to tell you. Seeing them in such a horrible condition would be awful! I'm so glad you stepped in to get them. anyways, hope you find out what they are! -Rachel

 

[PikeDoss]

I'm not familiar with mixes and how they turn out looks wise as I have gotten my current ducks all from Metzer and they are all pure breeds. Duclair mix could be a possibility as he did have some there but kept mistaking them for Pekins. Felt bad for all the ducks there but these three really look like they needed help and makes me feel a lot better seeing them already looking healthier and happy.

 

[bantamluv]

That's great that they got such a nice home. The black and white one kinda looked like my Duclair so that's why I was wondering. Best of luck with them

 

[3crazyboys]

thank you for saving them!!

 

[learycow]

So glad you got them! They look great
Looks to me like you have yourself some runner mixes. Even if they don't stand upright much, they have the typical flat bill to head attachment of a runner duck. No other breeds have that.
It's possible they have some ancona in them, but it's hard to know for sure unless you know the parents. Many crosses tend to be speckled and spotted like an ancona even if they don't have ancona genetics. (makes life more confusing right?!)

As for gender, it's still early based on their size and how feathered they are. The brown looks to be older so that one you may be able to tell by voice. Males are raspy, females are loud.

 

[PikeDoss]

Thanks, I didn't even think of runner but really makes sense. The brown and white is a female and very loud especially when she hears my other ducks on the other side of the property since quarantine is still underway for these 3. The dark black and white one is making a different sound than I'm used to but still young and inconsistent so can't tell. That is the one the guy swore was a muscovy, but he had little to no knowledge about muscovys evident from the basic questions I asked him that he had obvious wrong answers. Will be interesting to see how that one and the the other feather out. I still can't tell if the lighter one is black, blue, grey or mixed. Still crossing my fingers for both of them to be female as my main group has no drakes and outside their pen, we have chickens free ranging and don't want the risk of injury.