got a question on mallards that are not mallards LOL

[citalk2much]

I do wildlife rehab and we are in the middle of the crazy baby season well today a group of maybe 2 day old mallards came in their mom was killed as we have over 150 of them the awww cute factor has worn off to the oh my I am tied of cleaning stinky babies well this group got my attention some of the babies are lite yellow with yellow feet now they do have mallard markings in light gray. And they are the same size as the others. Anyone have any guesses as to what they are mixed with? Oh I know everyone wants pictures I will get some I was so tired when I left tonight I forgot to take one and they are on the main site so I will get one up soon.

 

[goosedragon]

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People have done several color crosses on mallards I haven't really kept up with it because I don't beleive it is a good thing to do. The ones I remember off the top of my head are white, snowy, dusty, and of course golden and silver. they do these by switching the genes that usually give the black colors with ones that produce brown or gray. I don't know how the gold/silver system works but it is supposed to be the difference between kacki campbells and dark campbells. I would not release these altered colored mallards back to the wild, see if you can't find a domestic home for them.

 

[citalk2much]

Because of there unknown mix we can't release we will be finding them homes. The DNR would kill us

 

[goosedragon]

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Good on them! There is already too much hanky-panky going on in the different flyways or up in the great frozen north without crazy breeders letting their off-colored ducks go feral.

 

[citalk2much]

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Good on them! There is already too much hanky-panky going on in the different flyways or up in the great frozen north without crazy breeders letting their off-colored ducks go feral.

You do understand I did not breed these they came in as rescue

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Good on them! There is already too much hanky-panky going on in the different flyways or up in the great frozen north without crazy breeders letting their off-colored ducks go feral.

You do understand I did not breed these they came in as rescue

Yes I did understand, and I gave you credit that if you had bred them you wouldn't be asking about off colored ducks. I have very mixed feelings after tangling with some duck "rescue" people but I approve of the work done by you rehabers. Let me thank you for all the hand work you do for our wild friends!

 

[xke4]

I also do wildlife rehab and presently have a single clutch of Mallard ducklings in my bathroom that are 3 different colour combinations. 3 are normal, one is normal markings but dilute in colour and the other 3 are yellow with pink bills, black eyes and the odd pale grey smudge on their backs. That would make them leucistic instead of full albino. They definitely are all from the same clutch and are all Mallards. I will post their pictures tomorrow.

Here they are.