duckling concern...

[Elly]

I have three ducklings that my daughter rescued and I know very little about ducks, but was told they were Pekin ducks and that they were 3 to 5 weeks old when we got them. We have had them now for two weeks. The largest of the three has black markings on the top of his/her head. I noticed this about the third day of having them. The others are just starting to show signs of this also. I thought Pekin ducks had no dark markings only yellow as ducklings and then white as they get older. I just want to make sure they don't have a fungel infection or something lacking in their diet that could be causing this. I am feeding them a duckling grower/stater that I got from the feed store with access to water all the time. Any help or suggestions would be wonderful.

Here are some pictures:

Thanks

 

[MissPrissy]

If you have waterfowl starter feed you are doing an excellent job. Just like chicks you can give them yogurt. I also (for my Geese and ducks) float chopped lettuce and grass and spinach in a bowl of water for them to eat. They will LOVE it. Ducks also like bugs and worms. They are meat eaters.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I'm going to guess that your duckies aren't purebred pekin, probably some other duck genetics going on. they look adorable. my kids went slug hunting for our ducklings, little slugs, so they don't choke. The loved them. Enjoy your duckies!

 

[Fudgie]

Do yours have as much fun in the tub as mine do? Oh my what a hoot to watch them!

I question do you have a heat lamp on them? They are not burning their heads are they? Reason I ask is I had a hen do that, she singed the feathers right off her back. Didn't realize it till it was almost too late. Just asking, it looks like they have all of the feather there, so I am thinking it is a mix breed duck they are adorable though!

 

[theOEGBman]

If this hasnt been addressed, they look like Muscovies to me.

 

[MilkMaid]

Hello,

Those are very pretty ducks, but they don't look like any pekin ducklings I have ever seen, even without the black markings. Their beaks and feet are pinkish instead of dark orange like a pekin and the shape of the head and body don't look typical for any pekin ducklings I have seen either. Maybe they are mixed or maybe something else entirely.

 

[theOEGBman]

Should have added that some White muscovies get the black spots on their heads.

 

[conny63malies]

Quote:
Ditt , just look at their tail.

 

[birdnutz]

Scovies are ALOT cuter as babies then. They look good and healthy to me.

 

[Bex]

My Pekin Duckling (who's almost 3 weeks old) tail looks just like that so I don't think its the tail that makes it look like a muscovy, lol.

I think they are cute either way! I think if it was a fungal infection or something you needed to really worry about that it would be all over the body - not just in a secluded spot on top of the head.

Addorible!