Surprise Color in my Duckling

[HeiWalker98]

I have successfully hatched out 3 precious little babies! Mama Duchess is a Rouen and I believe the father is one of my Pekin Drakes. I was shocked because the first baby born was identical to Duchess as a duckling But the other 2 are different.

I’m assuming one is just going to be a lighter colored Rouen? But this 3rd one.. I’m stumped. What color is this??

 

[Miss Lydia]

What precious ducklings
Pekins hide any number of colors under their white feathers so when a duckling hatches from a Pekin and another breed they can have some of the most gorgeous ducklings and that is just what we are seeing with yours.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mallard-derived-duck-color-genetics-basics.74277/

 

[HeiWalker98]

Thank you soo much! I just thought Pekins were white and that was about it lol. I didn’t know there was sooo much else involved with duck genetics! I’m super excited to see these little sweethearts fully feathered out

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I believe that is the restricted pattern which is what a Silver Appleyard has.

 

[HeiWalker98]

I believe that is the restricted pattern which is what a Silver Appleyard has.

That’s what I was thinking but I have NO Silver Appleyards in my flock so I was so confused! I just had no idea where this one came from. But I didn’t realize that Pekins could have other colors in their genetics besides white. I was expecting little cow spotted babies at the least. These babies are just so amazing to me! All different colors! So exciting!!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

That’s what I was thinking but I have NO Silver Appleyards in my flock so I was so confused! I just had no idea where this one came from. But I didn’t realize that Pekins could have other colors in their genetics besides white. I was expecting little cow spotted babies at the least. These babies are just so amazing to me! All different colors! So exciting!!

You might enjoy this article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mallard-derived-duck-color-genetics-basics.74277/