Pekin duckling growing black feathers

[shmccarthy]

Hi I'm pretty new to ducks and have 4 ducklings. 2 Pekins and 2 Rouens. All of which I bought at tractor supply. One of the pekins is growing all white feathers, while the other is growing mostly black feathers. I can't figure out why this is and I haven't found much while searching. They are about 3 weeks old.

The two next to each other for comparison

Dark feathers coming in near wings

He had a spot on his tail when I got him, and that's how I told them apart. The spot was only a couple feathers though and very light.

He's covered in dark pin feathers.

I haven't seen this before?

 

[cymbaline]

Hmm, puzzling...maybe a Welsh Harlequin? Looks like sometimes WH ducklings can be almost totally yellow, which could possibly fool you into thinking it's a Pekin.

 

[shmccarthy]

Hm that could be. The biggest thing is my TSC only gets Cayugas, Rouens, Pekins, and Khacki Campbell's. That'd be pretty cool if that did happen though

 

[cymbaline]

That's all mine advertises but they got in one "mixed" shipment that had runners, and swedish, and possibly even a buff (still waiting to see what she turns out to be, lol), in addition to the usual. Keep us updated as he/she feathers out please.

 

[shmccarthy]

I will I'm very excited to see what this one turns into, boy do they grow fast though!

 

[BattleFires]

I got two 'Pekins' from TSC this year and I'm pretty sure one of them is a Runner duck even though the store insists that can't possibly be true. I think there's a high likelihood of mix ups along the way! Mine are about 3-4 weeks.

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

I got two 'Pekins' from TSC this year and I'm pretty sure one of them is a Runner duck even though the store insists that can't possibly be true. I think there's a high likelihood of mix ups along the way! Mine are about 3-4 weeks.

I get "Pekins" every year from my TSC (MI) and I am super polite and agree with them, knowing the whole time that they are Fawn and White Runner ducks. I have gotten them 3 years in a row, and they ALWAYS call them Pekins when they are obviously Runners......

 

[shmccarthy]

Here is an updated photo of "bill"
He is growing dark feathers everywhere however I wouldn't call them black anymore. Most are varying shades of grey. His breast and underside is white but the rest of him is blackish grey. He is also growing a black spot on his head. I'm really looking forward to when he feathers completely.

 

[cymbaline]

He sure is a pretty duck, whatever he is. Looks like too much gray to be a WH though, so I guess I was wrong.

 

[shmccarthy]

Oh yes he is really pretty I guess I will just have to wait and see. I'll be sure to post again once he is more feathered.