Rouen feathers coming in black?

[Purra]

I've never raised ducks before, so I'm not sure if this is normal and the feathers will change? My rouen duckling is getting in his/her feathers. Black tipped with brown on its neck and around the wings, but the entire belly and tail is solid black. Do you think it's maybe a cross with another duck? It doesn't really matter much, I'm just curious. I thought they got the same feathers as mallards, and my mallard duckling has a cream colored belly.

Sorry for the silly question!

 

[Amiga]

Not a silly question at all.

Sounds to me like it could be a cross, though not necessarily. Sometimes breeds have "phases" of color. Since I have runners and buffs, I cannot say much about rouens, except that I have seen photo's and they are lovely.