Mutant Duckling?!

[TroyerGal]

Hi... I have an 3ish week old Peking duckling who is GIGANTIC! We purchased him from TSC, along with 3 others... 2 khaki campbells and 1 mystery duckling. the reason i am wondering about his size is because the "mystery" duckling, Dollypop was assumed to be a Peking as well, and TSC told us that they may be a male and female Peking... well, Kernel the "mutant" duckling is now well over 2 pounds while Dollypop is the smallest. I don't know how much the others weigh but it's definitely NOT over 2lbs... What is strange though is that they all are about the same developmentally... what is causing my duckling's hugeness? or is it just a Peking thing?

P.S. Kernel is often panting while the others are all comfy-cozy in their brooder... i don't want Kernel to get too hot, but i also don't want Brownie, Frowny and Dollypop to freeze... Help?

P.P.S I can post pix upon request

 

[Kdb2006]

Pics?

 

[enola]

If one of them is panting, your brooder is too small and probably too hot.

Can you show us pictures of your setup?

 

[Amiga]

Sounds like a Pekin duckling, to me. And they grow quickly, and may need a cooler brooder. You are right to be concerned for the smaller ones...let's see what we can work out.

What is the temperature in the brooder?

What are they eating? Do they have water 24/7? Bath time (no soap)?

Take a look at The Brooding of Allie, Casey and Latte. @Tevyes Dad is tracking the weights of three ducklings that are each a different breed. One is a Pekin, I believe.

 

[TroyerGal]

Here is my duckling brooder... made out of my old crib from when i was a baby!

As you can see... the 2 biggest, Frowny and Kernel are far away from the lamp

Here is Kernel--- forgive his little "mess"

here is Kernel next to Dollypop... note the big difference in size

 

[TroyerGal]

The duckling are eating Flock Raiser/Starter from TSC... yes, they have a nice, deep waterer to stick their whole heads in and, i do not measure heat with a therometer, just on where they are located in the brooder

 

[Wobbles]

I think Dollypop may be a runner rather than a pekin. Or a Buff but I'm not real familiar with those so I'm not sure.

 

[Amiga]

I think Dollypop is a Runner. They're both adorable

Did you see the Brooding thread I mentioned? The Pekin duckling is just under 3 pounds already.

 

[TroyerGal]

Yes, i agree... they are adorable! and i did look at that thread, but didn't have time to really read it. do you really think Dollypop is a runner? i also thought so when i took a good look at her... but, TSC only carries 4 different breeds? i have seen other members with different breeds from TSC like blue/black swedish... is that possible?

 

[shiningeyes]

Just wanted to chime it that my 3 week old Pekin is huge also

He looks like a monster next to my KK/Chocolate runner (not sure which yet). They are heavy breeds so I guess that's to be expected. I wonder if there is any difference in male/female size so early on? I've been assuming mines a drake as it's starting to have a somewhat coarse voice.