What is this baby?

[bdawson]

I think my Toulouse goose bred my blue swedish duck. This little guy is so funny looking and nothing like any of the other ducks we have hatched out. His legs are big and beefy, like the gosling we have. And look at the funny head shape and his bill, it's not shaped like a duck bill. I've read that it is possible, and they are essentially a sterile "mule" type hybrid. Just wondering if anyone thinks this is possibly a hybrid goose/duck cross.

 

[DucksAndGardens]

Geese and Ducks can't interbreed to produce offspring because they have mismatched chromosome numbers so I don't think you have a cross breed. Maybe just a giant duck?

 

[bdawson]

Interesting, I'd read that they both have the same chromosomes, and that a couple of zoos have some. One never knows, I guess. Stranger things have happened

 

[Amykins]

Interesting, I'd read that they both have the same chromosomes, and that a couple of zoos have some. One never knows, I guess. Stranger things have happened

You sure it wasn't just a mixed breed with a Muscovy? They look rather goose-like. Geese and ducks simply cannot interbreed, they're too far removed genetically. It's like trying to breed a cow to a goat; they're in the same family, but that doesn't mean they can have babies!

 

[casportpony]

Interesting, I'd read that they both have the same chromosomes, and that a couple of zoos have some. One never knows, I guess. Stranger things have happened

Welcome to BYC!

Has more of a goose bill than a duck bill, that's for sure. FWIW, I'll post some pictures of my Muscovy crosses so everyone can see what they look like as ducklings.

Curiously, how big was the egg?

-Kathy

 

[desertdarlene]

I think it's a mule and just has a weird shaped bill. Do you have Muscovies in your area? They could have bred with any female ducks that you have.

 

[casportpony]

I think it's a mule and just has a weird shaped bill. Do you have Muscovies in your area? They could have bred with any female ducks that you have.

You think? It doesn't look anything like my mules and hinnies. I'll take some pictures later.

-Kathy

 

[Amykins]

Maybe it's a mutt goose and not a duck at all?

 

[casportpony]

I do think it looks way more like a goose. Gotta know, is there a female goose there?

-Kathy

 

[Amykins]

I like saying "goose". Goose goose goose goose goose <3