This is Cooper, a crested Cayuga x Khaki Campbell-Cayuga mixed duckling. She's 2 weeks old. Her 2 hatch mates are not crested (mom is crested). Ever since they hatched, the other 2 have been growing at a typical pace. Cooper has stayed small and is a bit chunky shaped. She's almost half their size. However, she has always acted and eaten normally. Underneath her crest, it feels as if her skull has not fully closed. The soft spot feels as if it's getting smaller though. What is going on? Is this normal?
Oh my, they're cute! Sometimes, I've found, that sometimes a duck or chick doesn't grow for whatever reason. It may be because he has certain unknown health issues, like a heart problem, but sometimes they just don't grow for no reason. As for the skull, I've heard from other crested duck owners that it is common for their skull not to be fully closed and filled with fatty tissue. Some duck experts should be along soon. In the wild, I've seen ducks that never really grew to their full size do very well. One, in particular, might have a heart problem, though he hasn't been diagnosed. He gets tired really easy, I've found. But, he's doing very well considering he's a wild duck and there's no mercy in the wild.
Love your ducklings, very cute! desertdarlene is right... crested ducks have a genetic mutation associated with skull deformities and the crest is formed by the fatty tissue that emerges through the gap in their skull. I'm not sure about your growth issue with Cooper but if she acts normal I don't think I would worry too much about it.
