What are my ducklings

[TheDucksOnTheCanal]

Mom was Welsh Harlequin and by the looks so was dad. And while 7 do absolutely look like Welsh harlequins, there are 5 that simply do not lol. They all came from the same clutch besides 2 that are definitely Welsh harlequins. Let me know what you think!

 

[KathiQuacks]

The 5 are very Rouen or Mallard-like. Are they from your ducks?

 

[TheDucksOnTheCanal]

The 5 are very Rouen or Mallard-like. Are they from your ducks?

No I got them from a girl who had a drake and duck. So 11 are from the same mother, but those 5...just odd lol this is a pic of Mom and dad. These are the only 2 ducks she has.

 

[deer trail duck farms]

def rouen or mallard. its possible a wild mallard visited mama duck if those are the only ducks she had

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I think I see what’s happening here. So a true “snowy” colored duck happens when there are two copies of the harlequin gene because harlequin is recessive. Snowy is technically just a mutation of the mallard “wild” or “grey” pattern that causes where the darker browns/greys are to be lightened. See the drake here on his shoulder area? He is not carrying two copies of the harlequin gene. You can see the “wild” gene showing through right here. One copy will cause a lightening effect to varying degrees, but not be true snowy. The wild gene is dominant and since the harlequin gene is a lightened mutation of the wild gene that is why you are seeing so many mallard/wild patterned ducklings.

 

[TheDucksOnTheCanal]

I think I see what’s happening here. So a true “snowy” colored duck happens when there are two copies of the harlequin gene because harlequin is recessive. Snowy is technically just a mutation of the mallard “wild” or “grey” pattern that causes where the darker browns/greys are to be lightened. See the drake here on his shoulder area? He is not carrying two copies of the harlequin gene. You can see the “wild” gene showing through right here. One copy will cause a lightening effect to varying degrees, but not be true snowy. The wild gene is dominant and since the harlequin gene is a lightened mutation of the wild gene that is why you are seeing so many mallard/wild patterned ducklings.

View attachment 3865870

Wow thank you!!! This is so cool!