Now that begins to make sense! - Some time ago if found my Buff Orpington drake Erpelchen beaten up pretty bad, ruffled up plumage, missing feathers, swollen eyes, the whole package… 😲
I had no clue what happened, but after looking into the table in your article, there are only two ways how this duckling could have been created: Erpelchen must have mated with one of the Black Swedish ducks - and got caught in the act by Ralphie Dux, the Black Swedish drake... ☠
Ralphie is twice the size of Erpelchen.
Wishing my Black Swedish half Call Duck was chocolate so I could tell the sex off it but still leaning towards boy but hoping for girl, lol.
 
I had no clue what happened, but after looking into the table in your article, there are only two ways how this duckling could have been created: Erpelchen must have mated with one of the Black Swedish ducks - and got caught in the act by Ralphie Dux, the Black Swedish drake... ☠
Ralphie is twice the size of Erpelchen.
That's only one way... What's the second?
 
That's only one way... What's the second?
The second way is so unlikely, that i forgot about writing it down: Erpelchen, dragging a Wild Mallard duck into the duck-house and keeping her hostage until she laid an egg…
From the possible sex-link combinations in this table:
1688141862044.png

I only have a Buff Orpington drake and two Black Swedish ducks. - And the occasional Mallard visitor.
But: Who knows which other of my mixed-breed drakes also carries that chocolate gene in hiding…
 
The second way is so unlikely, that i forgot about writing it down: Erpelchen, dragging a Wild Mallard duck into the duck-house and keeping her hostage until she laid an egg…
From the possible sex-link combinations in this table:
View attachment 3561127
I only have a Buff Orpington drake and two Black Swedish ducks. - And the occasional Mallard visitor.
But: Who knows which other of my mixed-breed drakes also carries that chocolate gene in hiding…
You forgot Buff Orpington in the females, and put Magpie twice. ;)

Mamma Duck Mocha took the ducklings out this morning, so I got to count as well as check the remaining eggs. She has 13 babies with her! And one died in the nest :( So that was 14 hatches.

Of the remaining eggs, one had an external pip and was peeping, one or two had internal pips and movement, and the others were maybes. So I put some under Cocoa my Buff who is still sitting even though her eggs were duds, and she can have some babies for herself. She permitted me to do this by only removing my pinky finger.

1688145949757.jpeg
 
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You forgot Buff Orpington in the females, and put Magpie twice. ;)

Mamma Duck Mocha took the ducklings out this morning, so I got to count as well as check the remaining eggs. She has 13 babies with her! And one died in the nest :( So that was 14 hatches.

Of the remaining eggs, one had an external pip and was peeping, one or two had internal pips and movement, and the others were maybes. So I put some under Cocoa my Buff who is still sitting even though her eggs were duds, and she can have some babies for herself. She permitted me to do this by only removing my pinky finger.

View attachment 3561190
If those ducklings get into that tub of water they won't be able to get out
 
If those ducklings get into that tub of water they won't be able to get out
I made sure they had a way out. You can't see it from this angle, but the nearer part has more stones that make stairs all the way up to the ledge.

I lost a duckling to drowning last year, and never want to have to have that happen that again!
 
You forgot Buff Orpington in the females, and put Magpie twice. ;)

Mamma Duck Mocha took the ducklings out this morning, so I got to count as well as check the remaining eggs. She has 13 babies with her! And one died in the nest :( So that was 14 hatches.

Of the remaining eggs, one had an external pip and was peeping, one or two had internal pips and movement, and the others were maybes. So I put some under Cocoa my Buff who is still sitting even though her eggs were duds, and she can have some babies for herself. She permitted me to do this by only removing my pinky finger.

View attachment 3561190
Happy Canada Day tomorrow Canadian Wind. I might not get to get on here much because of going out of town for the day so I wanted to wish it to you now. Enjoy your day.
 
I made sure they had a way out. You can't see it from this angle, but the nearer part has more stones that make stairs all the way up to the ledge.

I lost a duckling to drowning last year, and never want to have to have that happen that again!
I've lost one that way to that is why I freaked out.
 

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