What's up with his head?

[Mrs.H]

Very interesting thread. I had no idea, not a fan of the looks of a crested duck anyway. But good info to know. I just assumed crested ducks were just a normal breed.

 

[chooks4life]

Very interesting thread. I had no idea, not a fan of the looks of a crested duck anyway. But good info to know. I just assumed crested ducks were just a normal breed.

They ARE a normal breed; so are many other deformed animals. 'Normal' is an acquired taste, lol.

Best wishes.

 

[smonkeySK]

I will def not breed him.
What are chances of him surviving?
This was our first duck hatch and he hatched all on his own and is sooo sweet .

I'm sure he'll be fine; just make sure you get enough niacin into him to ensure good development - it doesn't guarantee that there won't be neurological or growth issues due to genetics, but it will help stop these conditions being caused by diet.

He's a cutie and I'm sure he won't be short of the love and attention that he may need (whether he needs it or not I suspect )

 

[laura8700]

Thank you all for the information.
Genetics are truly so amazing.

Back story is that I homeschool my kids and we happen to have a male:female pair of ducks. We incubated as a learning experience and wow have we received an education!

I wonder if that is why he has little
Feathers on his legs also?

 

[chooks4life]

Thank you all for the information.
Genetics are truly so amazing.

Back story is that I homeschool my kids and we happen to have a male:female pair of ducks. We incubated as a learning experience and wow have we received an education!

I wonder if that is why he has little
Feathers on his legs also?

I've wondered about that myself... Every now and then someone makes a thread on this site about ducks with feathered legs, but like turkeys with crests it seems a rare sport, not something that reliably breeds true. It might well be linked, certainly it shouldn't be too likely for two fairly uncommon mutations to crop up in the same individual without being somehow linked.

Best wishes.

 

[Rachele anne]

If it turns into a female when older u may want to keep it separated during mating seasons so the male won't bite it ... I have a white crested Pekin I'm not going to breed him but as long as u keep an eye on it he/she will b ok

 

[ftpagain]

wow. something new everyday. i have now 9 ducks and 6 have those fluffy theaters on their heads. i have always seen breeds with "crests" and never thought that its a health problem. reminds me of the Rhodesian ridge back dogs.

 

[TheBeardie]

I have had good luck with the crested I have had 3 different sets of crested and non of them died from Heath problems, only wild animals, I saved my last set from chicks pecking them to death. My last set only have some minor problems, crooked tail, and bad sight. I don't breed them because of some of the medical issues they can have. I must say your boy is beautiful