my duck is losing her colors

[Zesty108]

Hello, My cayuga duck just turned 1 year last month, and for the last few weeks when ever a feather falls out, instead of coming back in the normal blueish/greenish black color its coming back white. she has a bunch of white feathers now. Could it be a vitamin deficiancy? she continues to lay her eggs normal, and doesent apear to have anything changing but her feathers.

 

[duckyfromoz]

It is usual for black ducks to start turning white after a year or two. Some can end up almost completely white after a few years. It is one of the reasons that it is very uncommon to see older black ducks at a show.

 

[Zesty108]

oh wow i dident know that. She is so beautiful with her colors its kinda sad. But its good to know that its normal. THanks

 

[Amiga]

Yes, my black and chocolate runners all have at least some "snow," and it is just a different kind of beautiful!

I have always admired Cayugas, and met one last year with loads of white. She was lovely!

 

[Zesty108]

how long do they keep getting white feathers for usually. is there any other changes i should be aware of as she gets older?

 

[Amiga]

My runners are a little over two and a half years old, and about half of them still have mostly dark feathers. Of the others, two seem to be headed toward mostly white, and the others seem to hold steady with a "shawl" of white around their shoulders and breasts.