Duck Genetics

[ParksPoultry]

Hello,

I lost one of my sweet black Indian Runner Duck today. Although I’m absolutely devastated, I’m holding on hope because I already had her eggs in the incubator and they’re developing.
My duck flock consists of Welsh Harlequins (including the Drake) and three runners (black, blue, and fawn/white). She laid blue eggs but so does my blue runner. How can I know which ducklings are hers if they are a cross? Is there a predictable color pattern? I’m more familiar with chickens. This is actually my first time hatching ducklings.

Thank you

 

[KathiQuacks]

So sorry for your loss

The babies from your Black Runner will all be solid black like her.
The babies from your Blue Runner will be half solid black, half solid blue.

So, any blue baby is not hers, and any black baby may or may not be hers.

 

[ParksPoultry]

So sorry for your loss

The babies from your Black Runner will all be solid black like her.
The babies from your Blue Runner will be half solid black, half solid blue.

So, any blue baby is not hers, and any black baby may or may not be hers.

Thank you so much! I’m so glad that I had already started the eggs. I appreciate your insight!

 

[RogueRubbDuck22]

I've never heard of a Blue Runner before, and they are beautiful! Where would you be able to get one at?

 

[ParksPoultry]

I've never heard of a Blue Runner before, and they are beautiful! Where would you be able to get one at?

I got mine from Metzer. They also have the Silver Runners and I’m so tempted! I just don’t trust USPS to deliver them safely. I’ve had too many issues recently with them to order anymore live birds

 

[Amer]

I got mine from Metzer. They also have the Silver Runners and I’m so tempted! I just don’t trust USPS to deliver them safely. I’ve had too many issues recently with them to order anymore live birds

If you breed two blues together you can get black, blue, and silver since blue genetics in ducks works like blue in chickens.

Also any blacks and blues bred with Welsh Harlequins will be black bibbed and blue bibbed (like Swedish) not solid black. Uhhh never mind that was wrong.

 

[KathiQuacks]

Also any blacks and blues bred with Welsh Harlequins will be black bibbed and blue bibbed (like Swedish) not solid black.

I was under the impression that Harlequins were Dusky, and would therefore remove the bib, no?

 

[Amer]

I was under the impression that Harlequins were Dusky, and would therefore remove the bib, no?

No you're right. I guess Light Phase gives the bib back. I didn't know that. Thank you for correcting me.

 

[ParksPoultry]

No you're right. I guess Light Phase gives the bib back. I didn't know that. Thank you for correcting me.

My babies are hatching now! I can post pictures once they’re all done and fluffed up I’m pretty sure I have a few blues and one black!

 

[ParksPoultry]

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m seeing what looks like blue? Could the Welsh Harlequin Drake passed on the bill sexing trait to his offspring even if it was over a Blue Runner hen? Or could one actually be from my fawn/white runner?