Hello! Hoping yall can please help me understand what is going on with 2 of the drakes that hatched this past April, 2025 (image #1). Their heads have that iridescent, Cayuga-looking sheen, but their bodies look like their Khaki Campbell father, Duke (foreground of image #2). Their mother is either a Cayuga (image #3) or what I assume is a Khaki Campbell (image #4). Those were the only two hens. The reason I am confused is because the other 5 drakes that hatched in April look exactly what you would expect from a Cayuga mom × Khaki dad (image #5). I can not figure out why these 2 appear to have the head of Cayuga with Khaki-looking bodies. Any ideas? I'm still fairly new to this whole duck thing. I've had Duke and his 2 wives for about a year and half, but this is the very first clutch/brood. Thanks!
If I am understanding who is who in the pictures, the boys are half Cayuga and half Khaki. Is Duke is picture 4 or 5? 5 is a Khaki Campbell drake. 4 looks like a silver Appleyard to me. Khaki Campbells do not have facial stripes. The extended black of a Cayuga is a dominant trait so even crossed to a Khaki they will look more like a Cayuga. I hope that helps.