Gilberta's Breed has been Identified!!!

[Kkrista123]

Hello! We were all taking guesses at Gilberta's breed but now that she's large enough, my friend I got the egg from was able to identify her parents from her flock. The mom, fawn and white runner and the dad, white crested! Next question... do we think the dad was white crested or white crested runner... I asked my friend, I'll see what she says! Any other opinions?! Thanks everyone!

 

[DuckyDonna]

Such a pretty duck! I'd like to know more about the "crested" ducks. Is it a breed or is it a birth defect where the skull didn't close so the duck grew more feathers to cover and protect the head? I keep seeing that people write about a lot of neurological problems with crested ducks and my enquiring mind wants to know.

 

[Savager]

Such a pretty duck! I'd like to know more about the "crested" ducks. Is it a breed or is it a birth defect where the skull didn't close so the duck grew more feathers to cover and protect the head? I keep seeing that people write about a lot of neurological problems with crested ducks and my enquiring mind wants to know.

White crested is a recognized breed but crests are a defect that can occur in any duck species descending from mallards. For instance here are my crested pekins.

 

[DuckyDonna]

OMG! That is just so cute with the little santa hats! I'm not sure I understand how it can be a breed but can still happen in any species. So I could hatch out Indian runners that could be crested too since they are descended from mallards?

 

[Savager]

OMG! That is just so cute with the little santa hats! I'm not sure I understand how it can be a breed but can still happen in any species. So I could hatch out Indian runners that could be crested too since they are descended from mallards?

Yea I can occur in lots of species but like if you look at online hatcheries for white crested they are a recognized breed but the gene can occur in other breeds. A crested pekin isn't a white crested because pekins are larger.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Oh, I think I get it now. I was looking at your white duck and thinking white meant any white duck but I see now it is a separate breed. Thanks for the explanation! One more question. Do you have to be a lot more careful with crested ducks because of this? Like if non-crested ducks get into a fight with a crested are they more likely to go for the feathers on the head and leave it's little brain open to infection and damage?

 

[Savager]

Oh, I think I get it now. I was looking at your white duck and thinking white meant any white duck but I see now it is a separate breed. Thanks for the explanation! One more question. Do you have to be a lot more careful with crested ducks because of this? Like if non-crested ducks get into a fight with a crested are they more likely to go for the feathers on the head and leave it's little brain open to infection and damage?

i haven't had any fights yet, as these are my first 3 ducks. I have heard that they can pull on it, but the crest comes from an area of fatty tissue covering a hole in the skull, so it's pretty dense with feathers and tissue, not just skin and feathers covering it.

 

[Savager]

i haven't had any fights yet, as these are my first 3 ducks. I have heard that they can pull on it, but the crest comes from an area of fatty tissue covering a hole in the skull, so it's pretty dense with feathers and tissue, not just skin and feathers covering it.

I did have a situation where one girl injured herself getting stuck in a fence, and the only think was that it was hard to address the damage until later because it was cut under the crest. The next day though she looked like she had a receding hairline. However she recovered fine and is healthy now.

 

[MillersFarm]

Pretty khaki campbell hen at this age she would have a green bill if she was a he. Hens will also make loud "Quacking" noises meanwhile the drakes make more of a raspy whistle like sound.

 

[Loopeend]

My bet is on Indian runner duck crested. It has too many features of an Indian runner then a white crested. The bill, too high on the legs, long neck, vertical body stance..I would say Indian runner crested.

Allthough I don't see where the crestiness is happening..?
But then again I don't have any knowledge about crested ducks since I like to keep away from it since the negative sides of it.

Pretty duck though! Love the colour and a happy cheeky confident face!