Duckling genetics

[cchicks4]

I have 4 ducks; pekin (1 male and 1 female) and buff Orpington (1 male and 1 female) .. I hatched two of their offspring and to my surprise one came out a light brown colour with black legs and dark on its beak. All four of my ducks were yellow as babies. I don’t know much about genetics but how does this work?

 

[Pyxis]

White in ducks is recessive and eclipses all other colors. So the pekins could really be any color at all 'under' the white. What you're seeing is the result of them genotypically being other than white 'under' the white.

Buff orpingtons genetically are lilac, which is chocolate and blue. So you're seeing expressions of chocolate, blue, and whatever is 'under' the white on your pekins.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Im curious to see what they grow up to look like

 

[cchicks4]

Im curious to see what they grow up to look like

I am too! The parents look textbook for their breed description as well

 

[cchicks4]

White in ducks is recessive and eclipses all other colors. So the pekins could really be any color at all 'under' the white. What you're seeing is the result of them genotypically being other than white 'under' the white.

Buff orpingtons genetically are lilac, which is chocolate and blue. So you're seeing expressions of chocolate, blue, and whatever is 'under' the white on your pekins.

Interesting! Thanks for the reply. So are buffs ever known to have brown/black legs?