The Duck Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Ceasargirl all hatched except two one had died in the shell, he was fully developed and the other one never did anything. The last one helped him out of the shell, he has a pompom on his head, the mama duck has one. Three of them have pompoms. Here they r

They are absolutely adorable.. Congrats!! now be sure not to keep them on anything slick for long it can cause spraddle legs since they have a hard time with traction . And you need to be sure these lil ones get good poultry vitamins right from the start and niacin in brewers yeast or nutritional yeast or plain niacin tabs. especially your crested but all can benefit from it and very important for first 10 weeks of life. Type in crested duck up top of page in search and read up.

 

[caesargirl]

Ceasargirl all hatched except two one had died in the shell, he was fully developed and the other one never did anything. The last one helped him out of the shell, he has a pompom on his head, the mama duck has one. Three of them have pompoms. Here they r

Congratulations on a great hatch. So much cuteness! I'd have to see better pics, but, Pom Pom makes me think crested? Now, I've never had crested, but, you must NEVER breed two crested ducks together. I believe it creates a leathal gene. And I also believe that the pom pom grows out of a soft spot in the skull and that spot cannot be pecked at. Again, I've never had crested ones, so, anyone who has, please jump in....
@kukupecpec don't you have a crested?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am rooting for all 3 ending up with Pyxis for good.

Me too.

 

[kukupecpec]

Congratulations on a great hatch. So much cuteness! I'd have to see better pics, but, Pom Pom makes me think crested? Now, I've never had crested, but, you must NEVER breed two crested ducks together. I believe it creates a leathal gene. And I also believe that the pom pom grows out of a soft spot in the skull and that spot cannot be pecked at. Again, I've never had crested ones, so, anyone who has, please jump in....
@kukupecpec don't you have a crested?

I do indeed =) I didn't hatch her though. She's a rescue (followed some neighbors home from the park) but I did some research or if curiosity and from what I found is technically a birth defect that leaves a hole in the skull. The body compensates by filling that hole with fatty tissue to protect their little ducky brain. The pouf is just normal skin and feathers stretched over that fat bubble. I know that the mortality rate for crested ducks in the shell is very high because the brain can sometimes develop outside the skull through that hole. It sounds like crested ducks often have neurological problems and don't live as long as non-crested ducks. I just always blame ChaCha's silliness on the hole in her head LOL

 

[Julie Birb]

I do indeed =) I didn't hatch her though. She's a rescue (followed some neighbors home from the park) but I did some research or if curiosity and from what I found is technically a birth defect that leaves a hole in the skull. The body compensates by filling that hole with fatty tissue to protect their little ducky brain. The pouf is just normal skin and feathers stretched over that fat bubble. I know that the mortality rate for crested ducks in the shell is very high because the brain can sometimes develop outside the skull through that hole. It sounds like crested ducks often have neurological problems and don't live as long as non-crested ducks. I just always blame ChaCha's silliness on the hole in her head LOL

I want ChaCha to live forever!!!

 

[caesargirl]

I do indeed =) I didn't hatch her though. She's a rescue (followed some neighbors home from the park) but I did some research or if curiosity and from what I found is technically a birth defect that leaves a hole in the skull. The body compensates by filling that hole with fatty tissue to protect their little ducky brain. The pouf is just normal skin and feathers stretched over that fat bubble. I know that the mortality rate for crested ducks in the shell is very high because the brain can sometimes develop outside the skull through that hole. It sounds like crested ducks often have neurological problems and don't live as long as non-crested ducks. I just always blame ChaCha's silliness on the hole in her head LOL

You should add a line of safety gear to your duck clothing line!
Thanks for sharing the research you did!!

 

[kukupecpec]

I want ChaCha to live forever!!!

Aww Thanks! We love her, but we plan like she could go any minute. Who knows what damage she suffered at the park. She was in really rough shape when we got her. She's having some trouble right now though, she's not eating. She may be nibbling when I'm not looking, but she doesn't appear to be eating the last few days. I'm hoping she's just stressed out from the move (we bought a house!) But if it's still a problem this weekend she'll go in to the vet.

You should add a line of safety gear to your duck clothing line!
Thanks for sharing the research you did!!

Hahaha ducky safety helmets! I love it! What a hoot

 

[caesargirl]

Aww Thanks! We love her, but we plan like she could go any minute. Who knows what damage she suffered at the park. She was in really rough shape when we got her. She's having some trouble right now though, she's not eating. She may be nibbling when I'm not looking, but she doesn't appear to be eating the last few days. I'm hoping she's just stressed out from the move (we bought a house!) But if it's still a problem this weekend she'll go in to the vet.
Hahaha ducky safety helmets! I love it! What a hoot

I truly hope she's ok. She's a special girl. On top of which, she's the worlds first duck super model!!
Congratulations on your new home. Very exciting!
Maybe instead of helmets, aviator caps!!!!

 

[kukupecpec]

I truly hope she's ok. She's a special girl. On top of which, she's the worlds first duck super model!!
Congratulations on your new home. Very exciting!
Maybe instead of helmets, aviator caps!!!!

Thanks! My husband thinks maybe she's being picked on by the chickens (she spends the work day outside in the chicken run with her swimming tub in the sunshine) but she's usually doing the picking. Maybe Sonny got tired of being bumped by ChaCha's giant head! But she'll be inside with me all weekend so I'll keep a close eye on her =)
We are loving the new house! Big beautiful backyard with a big tree and lots of shade for the animals. DH wants to go back to raising rabbits and be done with chickens. It will certainly be quieter, and ChaCha and the bunnies all prefer to keep their distance so it'd be peaceful lol

I'm going to need to get some leather practice for those caps haha!

 

[Miss Lydia]

You should add a line of safety gear to your duck clothing line!
Thanks for sharing the research you did!!

That's a great idea!!! and a line of knob coverings for Muscovy drakes faces.