I have noticed a huge diffrance in uskovy heads.. I have posted 3 diffrent types I have found and Im sure there are more. What is correct? is allot of skin better then a cleaner face?
A lot depends on the age. The first one looks like a cross. The other two are handsome drakes of different ages. Of course some just look different because they are individuals. I love the white "hair" on the second one!
I agree the first one appears to be a cross, however getting a cross bred Muscovy is next to impossible since they are mules.. so I quickly discounted that.
Yes I agree the second two are drakes the first may be a young one or a cross. Never seen a cross myself.
You can cross with a muscovy. Around here many people do who raise them strictly for meat. It is the off spring that are then the mules and won't be fertile.
I think there is so much variance in the caruncles due to the age and bloodlines of the birds. I think the wild type 'scovies have less, while exhibition birds sometimes have so much it is ridiculous! Feathersite has a picture of a crazy drake with caruncles that practically cover his EYES! Many times breeders like to take what makes a breed different and take it to the extreme. The caruncles are the muscovies main and most obvious trademark, thus some people out there are going to take it to the extreme. Just like some people who breed Sumatras, the more spurs the better because it is a unique, distinguishing feature. If you wanted the "standard" on the Muscovy caruncles, then hopefully somone with a standard will be able to help you out. But unless you are showing then I don't think there is a right or wrong head(unless you are talking about purity of bloodline). If you are worried about purity in an adult, simply test the fertility, if it can produce offspring, then you either have a super rare fertile mule or you have a pure 'scovy. -Kim
That first pic. is of a hen and they do not have near the red face as males do. Hens may be prettier but I love my "ugly ducklings"
Quote:We like the "mohawks" they do as well. It's even better when about 5 or 6 drakes get going back and forth. Just never have the camera handy when they do that. Steve in NC
That first bird is just a young one, they're not born with caruncling. The standard states something to the effect of 'the more the better'. I believe there are faults for interfering with breathing or sight. There is no right or wrong with caruncling - it's all a matter of personal preference and like was mentioned those who exhibit tend to shoot for more caruncling that is not smooth and does not contain any black, or 'gypsy' face. Other than being a breed characteristic there is no practical purpose for caruncling nor is there a practical purpose for excessive caruncling. Unfortunately practicality isn't necessarily a goal when some people breed animals.
