Is this a crest?

[quackiemama]

It is weird though, right? I thought it would have gone away with the first molt but nope.

 

[casportpony]

I wonder if @Pyxis knows?

 

[Pyxis]

That's unique! Sounds almost like a tuft instead of a crest - a tuft is what is found on tufted roman geese and other tufted geese, and it's caused by longer feathers and maybe a little ball of skin, no gap in the skull or anything like what causes cresting in ducks. A tuft is found on the head, though, of course, and is a goose thing, not a duck thing, so while this sounds similar it definitely wouldn't be the same thing.

Might be a new mutation. I wonder if it would pass on to her offspring.

 

[quackiemama]

That's unique! Sounds almost like a tuft instead of a crest - a tuft is what is found on tufted roman geese and other tufted geese, and it's caused by longer feathers and maybe a little ball of skin, no gap in the skull or anything like what causes cresting in ducks. A tuft is found on the head, though, of course, and is a goose thing, not a duck thing, so while this sounds similar it definitely wouldn't be the same thing.

Might be a new mutation. I wonder if it would pass on to her offspring.

I wonder too, I think she looks pretty with it. That was the only way I could tell her and Maryann apart when they were little. Lovey has always been the runt so she was easy to spot. I suppose I will not concern myself then because she seems perfectly healthy. But now that makes me want to hatch some of her eggs.

 

[WVduckchick]

Very interesting! And adorable!!

If you or anyone figures out what caused it, I’d love to include a pic in my Reference Pictures article. (Still compiling pics, article not done yet)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/reference-pictures-wanted.1295231/

 

[chickens really]

Yes..It's a crest...

 

[DuckyDonna]

I thought that crests were only on heads!

 

[casportpony]

@quackiemama, I just thought of something... Why not email the picture to a hatchery like Metzer and ask them if they have seen something like it before?
http://www.metzerfarms.com/

 

[Pyxis]

Good idea Kathy! Or maybe even Holderread, since I know they don't mind answering genetics questions for people.

Since we are sort of on the topic of crests, if anyone is interested, take a look at this article which studied brain differences between crested and non-crested ducks. It looks like the reason it is so dangerous to yank on a crest (something a drake might do while mating) is because the fat and connective tissue the crest is made of is actually partially nourished by brain vessels coming directly from the brain to the crest, through the holes in the skull the crest sits over. It can lay fat deposits into the brain as well. So you can see how yanking something that is directly attached to the brain can cause a lot of issues.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I thought that crests were only on heads!

Me too never heard of a crest on the neck?