Quacking Pigeon
Crowing
A current project of mine and many others in Australia is to recreate the Welsh light duck breed known as the Magpie. Unfortunately, it is unknown whether Magpies were ever imported in Australia, and with current rules and regulations in place for biosecurity it is too expensive to import breeds from overseas. Due to Magpie Duck Genetics, they are able to be recreated with breeds that we have available like Indian runners, Campebells and so on.
Last year I had the opportunity to get some fertile eggs posted from a Magpie breeder in Tasmania up to NSW. From one dozen I hatched out 3 Magpies, 1 undermarked Black, 1 undermarked Chocolate and 1 better marked chocolate. These would become my breeding stock for this season, also including other crosses with helpful genetics.
Magpie ducklings with Mallards and Australian Calls in 2020.
From the ducklings I hatched from the eggs from Tasmania, it resulted in the better marked bird being a drake, and two undermarked ducks. The Drake is chocolate, and is my favourite of the three.
Chocolate Magpie Project Drake showing fading on his back from sunlight exposure.
I have set up 4 breeding groups of ducks to use for the project. And my season has begun early, already hatching ducklings. From what I have learned, producing a well marked Magpie is few and far between, and that is proving a challenge with them along with the Birds incorrect genetics.
I aim to produce Magpies in a variety of colours including black, chocolate, blue, splash, lilac (blue chocolate), lavender (splash chocolate) and light chocolate (buff chocolate) bred to type to the Australian Poultry Standards. I will keep this thread updated annually on my progress and any major achievements or issues faced along way of developing the breed.
Last year I had the opportunity to get some fertile eggs posted from a Magpie breeder in Tasmania up to NSW. From one dozen I hatched out 3 Magpies, 1 undermarked Black, 1 undermarked Chocolate and 1 better marked chocolate. These would become my breeding stock for this season, also including other crosses with helpful genetics.
Magpie ducklings with Mallards and Australian Calls in 2020.
From the ducklings I hatched from the eggs from Tasmania, it resulted in the better marked bird being a drake, and two undermarked ducks. The Drake is chocolate, and is my favourite of the three.
Chocolate Magpie Project Drake showing fading on his back from sunlight exposure.
I have set up 4 breeding groups of ducks to use for the project. And my season has begun early, already hatching ducklings. From what I have learned, producing a well marked Magpie is few and far between, and that is proving a challenge with them along with the Birds incorrect genetics.
I aim to produce Magpies in a variety of colours including black, chocolate, blue, splash, lilac (blue chocolate), lavender (splash chocolate) and light chocolate (buff chocolate) bred to type to the Australian Poultry Standards. I will keep this thread updated annually on my progress and any major achievements or issues faced along way of developing the breed.
