Magpie Duck Coloration/Markings

[anbuethorn]

Hello! Seasoned backyard chicken-owner, here, but our first time raising ducks. We purchased one Blue Swedish, two fawn/white Indian Runners, and two Magpie ducks this spring; all seven weeks old now. Not old enough for drake feathers or eggs, yet.

Noticing that the magpies have developed some iridescent beetle-green/purple mixed with the black on their caps/backs/wings. The one with less white is more iridescent.

Wondering if this suggests they are drakes, mixed-breeds (supposed to be pure), or just poor example of breed standard? No luck finding info about this specific color trait under breed regulations.

I also notice they don't have as much white as most breed info pics, but perhaps will change as they continue to mature? This breed is apparently very difficult to breed to standard.

Mostly just curious, especially about how many drakes we've ended up with.

 

[Katiepusey86]

I'm a few years late but I recently bought 2 duckfrom an assorted bin. Everyone tells me they are magpie ducks. They 7 weeks old today and mine have this beautiful iridescent purple/green coming in mostly on their wings and tails also.. more so on the 1 I believe is a male but haven't been able to 100%verify it yet.

 

[Katiepusey86]

I'm a few years late but I recently bought 2 duckfrom an assorted bin. Everyone tells me they are magpie ducks. They 7 weeks old today and mine have this beautiful iridescent purple/green coming in mostly on their wings and tails also.. more so on the 1 I believe is a male but haven't been able to 100%verify it yet.

The iridescent is only in their black. And only sofar on their wings and tail

 

[deer trail duck farms]

I'm a few years late but I recently bought 2 duckfrom an assorted bin. Everyone tells me they are magpie ducks. They 7 weeks old today and mine have this beautiful iridescent purple/green coming in mostly on their wings and tails also.. more so on the 1 I believe is a male but haven't been able to 100%verify it yet.

they most likely are magpies when you buy breeds like magpies anconas, cayugas. from a hatchery like hoovers or metzer. your not going to get "show quality" birds. not saying there low quality. just takes a lot of experience time and effort to get perfect standard birds.

 

[Katiepusey86]

they most likely are magpies when you buy breeds like magpies anconas, cayugas. from a hatchery like hoovers or metzer. your not going to get "show quality" birds. not saying there low quality. just takes a lot of experience time and effort to get perfect standard birds.

My "magpies" came from our local feed store and my 2 new baby cayuga from metzer. I wasn't expecting the iridescent coloring on my "magpies" so iv been googling. That led me here. So it's nice to see someone else say their magpies also have these colors. They are gorgeous ducks and even if they are not show quality they are In my eyes bc they make my day so much better and are so beautiful and loving.

 

[deer trail duck farms]

My "magpies" came from our local feed store and my 2 new baby cayuga from metzer. I wasn't expecting the iridescent coloring on my "magpies" so iv been googling. That led me here. So it's nice to see someone else say their magpies also have these colors. They are gorgeous ducks and even if they are not show quality they are In my eyes bc they make my day so much better and are so beautiful and loving.

I 1000% agree!! i dont care about show quality either.

 

[Katiepusey86]

I 1000% agree!! i dont care about show quality either.

 

[Katiepusey86]

I never thought about owning ducks ever. Then these 2 melted my heart in tractor supply and that was it they came home with us. They follow me everywhere and have recently decided they like to chill out on our deck all the time. So now we have 2 magpie(we think 1 male 1 female) and 2 female cayuga. I really want to get a few pekins also

 

[deer trail duck farms]

I never thought about owning ducks ever. Then these 2 melted my heart in tractor supply and that was it they came home with us. They follow me everywhere and have recently decided they like to chill out on our deck all the time. So now we have 2 magpie(we think 1 male 1 female) and 2 female cayuga. I really want to get a few pekins also

that is how it starts youll have around 50 soon LOL