Odd ducks

[PotterWatch]

Is it common to get ducks from a hatchery that a quite different than the breed they are supposed to be? I have five mallards and one is smaller and colored different than the rest. She has a white ring around her neck and a lighter colored breast. She is lovely, but definitely not a pure mallard.

I also have four cayugas. One has a slightly different body shape and is a brownish-black with none of the beetle-green that is characteristic of the breed. She is in the middle of the pool in this picture.

 

[Going Quackers]

While they may not be up to SOP(standard) they should be the actual breed? i have a call duck coloured like that..



Have you contacted the hatchery with your concerns?

 

[MohicanHase]

I would say she is just light colored, or leuistic (lacking pigment). She is beautiful!!!

 

[MohicanHase]

While they may not be up to SOP(standard) they should be the actual breed? i have a call duck coloured like that..



Have you contacted the hatchery with your concerns?

 

[PotterWatch]

I don't care very much, they are just for our enjoyment, not breeding and selling. I am just surprised because I've never had that happen when buying chicks from hatcheries.

 

[PotterWatch]

Mohican, I would agree with you except she has a different body pattern, not just lighter coloring. She has a distinct white ring around her neck that is hard to see well in the pictures. She also has a different pattern on her breast and belly than on her back. My mallard girls have the same pattern all over. She is lovely and frankly I'd like to have more like her!