Duckling ID

They might be hatchery Magpies :) A well-bred Mapgie duckling will have the exact same pattern in its down that the adults will have in their feathers, so they look like this, with just a black cap on their head and their back (or blue in this case since these are blue Magpies):

31977_magpies3.jpg


However, as with all things, this correct pattern needed to be bred and selected for, and hatcheries really don't pay attention to breeding correctly, so even though these ducklings don't have the correct pattern, they very well could be hatchery quality Magpies :) I wouldn't think they are Anconas because, as was said, Anconas have much more of a spotted pattern.
 
Magpies are one of the hardest color patterns to breed to the standard, so none of the hatcheries are going to have quite the "classic" Magpie pattern.They start to look more like this:
Vs. This:
 
I think they are all beautiful! I’m excited to watch them mature. They’ve settled in very nicely and are actively “foraging” around in the straw, and eating/drinking quite well. They’re also much more mellow than my Rouens as far as being handled and will even willingly sit in my hand.
 

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