Genetics - Bill Color

[Duck Hill]

Update 5-18-18

Comparing the hind ends of "Trout" and "Sunflower" as they begin to feather out. They are full sisters of the same age.

Trout, although she has grey baby fuzz, does not have a blue gene since the black spot in the middle of her feathers is black. The lightening of her baby fuzz from black to grey is due to her light and harlequin genes - and these genes enhance the lighter areas around the black central mark.

Sunflower definitely has a brown gene because the black spot in the middle of her feathers is brown, not black.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Do you breed for show?

 

[Duck Hill]

Oh, no. I do not breed for show. I do have a certain set of colors in mind that I would like to breed in runner ducks. And I am very interested in the science of the genetics of duck colors. The colors I like are rare colors, not show colors. I breed for fun and to get some cool looking ducks going. And for my ducklings, I always tell their correct background (mixed or purebred) for those that I re-home.

 

[Julie Birb]

I'm totally lost when it comes to genetics. It's cool you're so well versed in them. All I can say is that all your ducks and duckling birds are very cute.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Your Runners are gorgeous

 

[Duck Hill]

I'm totally lost when it comes to genetics. It's cool you're so well versed in them. All I can say is that all your ducks and duckling birds are very cute.

Hahaha. As in all things scientific, the theory says one thing and then you try it and it comes out completely different!!! That is what makes it fun. But, as you say, no matter how they come out they are cute.

 

[Julie Birb]

Hahaha. As in all things scientific, the theory says one thing and then you try it and it comes out completely different!!! That is what makes it fun. But, as you say, no matter how they come out they are cute.

That is what is so great about ducks.

 

[Duck Hill]

UPDATE and thoughts 7/6/18

OBSERVATION: The two girls Beacon x Rose that have dark bills are now getting very dished bills. That suggests that Beacon might not be the dad. Harley, a Welsh Harlequin, was with Rose about 10 days previous. Having Harley be the dad would explain the bill color and some other characteristics of the babies (fat body shape for a runner, etc).

BUT... The babies clearly have head stripes. ROSE is a dusky runner, by a blue dusky dad with light genes and out of a penciled (dusky) mom. Welsh Harlequins are supposed to be dusky as well.

QUESTION: Harley and Quinn are said to be descendants of Holderread stock. Does anyone know if Holderread Harlequins ever carry M+ and/or yellow bills?