Muscovy Ducklings, 4 have no eyes?!?

[happyduckygal]

Welcome to BYC. Is there any possibility that the muscovies are closely related ? Poultry tend to handle inbreeding well, but if there are hidden negative genes something like this might become apparent. Crossing between two breeds Muscovy/pekin should actually lessen the chance of physical difficulties. Realistically I have no clue as to what caused these deformities.

One of the males is closely related, brother/sister. But like you said I never thought anything of the inbreeding because it's in there nature but that could be a possibility

 

[happyduckygal]

Hi! I'm gonna post this on both threads.

If your incubation temperature is too high or oxygen too low for days 1 through 6, this can cause chicks to hatch with no eyes. I'd assume the same can happen with ducklings, though the time frame might be different.

Also, very high levels of selenium have also been known to cause missing eyes.

http://ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00004437/00001

It could of course also be a genetic defect, something that the parents are passing on.

I honestly know nothing about the incubation. The mama duck laid on them the whole, I didn't bother them any. Very interesting article though