Yes, it is, as a matter of fact, Mandies and Woodies are cousins ;o)
Duck ID needed please.
What is it that keeps them from cross breeding? Other duck breeds can cross.
Not all of them can and then only with certain breeds. If Mandies are here long enough, they may begin to cross breed.
That is interesting, I did not know that!
There is a duck in out creek that looks to be a cross of pekin and mallard. Do you know if that cross is possible? How about pekin and muscovie?
All domestics (except the muscovy) are related mallards. Mallard drakes are notorious for mating with any mallard derivative hen. Pekin/Mallard cross will produce some odd looking (fertile) mallards with lots of white and a few that will look like a normal mallard. Rarely will there be a completely white duck hatched from this cross. However, pekin hens are not very broody and usually will stay on the nest long enough to hatch. Many people will put pekin eggs in a muscovy hen's nest because she will be very broody and an excellent Mom.
Muscovies can cross with a mallard derivative (which does not occur with wild ducks) but this will mostly produce what are called Mules, which are sterile. There have been a few reports of fertile off spring but this is very rare. A Moulard which is a Muscovy drake Pekin duck cross, has become popular with people that raise for food. The muscovy has a nice flavor without being greasy or fatty and the pekin will grow large quickly.
I am certain that this is more information then you wanted...but hey...look at all of the trivia you now know ;o))
On the contrary. I love to learn about everything animal related. If I had a memory worth anything I'd be pretty smart. I read a lot but I don't remember much. The pekin / mallard X is a huge drake. He is marked like a mallard but his body is smokey gray and his head is almost black. There is a hen that I'm sure must be from him with a mallard hen. She is a buff color all over. She looks almost like a dirty white duck but not glaring white like a pekin. She is the size of a mallard. We have lots of mallards with white rings around their necks.
Mallard drakes should have a white ring around their neck. However, if it is too big, it may be a sign of cross breeding. If the mallard looks like a wild mallard but is just big, it may be a domestic mallard or a rouen. The buff colored duck is probably a cross, it looks like a cross of a khaki and white campbell but I could be completely wrong ;o)
It might well be one that a kid got for Easter and when the novelty wore off got released in the creek to live the wild life. If it was bought at the flea market or from a roadside stand, there is no telling what it might be. I never saw it as a chick so I think it entered our area as an adult. She hatched some ducklings last year but didn't raise any successfuly. There is a big mortality rate on our creek. Snapping turtles, mink, cats. Any number of dangers for a baby duck to face.
You are so right, everything loves to eat duck!
Including me!
LOL
I think you've all gone quackers...
Ginger
Now that you mention it, saltines do go pretty good with pot fried duck. :)
Guess what the local feed store had? Baby ducks, Anconas to be exact. I purchased one that had a saddle and plenty of spots on its bill and feet. It was in a bin with a sign that said hatchery choice. It said it could include Anconas, Harlequins (not the gorgeous wild ones, but Welsh), or any other choice. There was one other duck in the bin that I bought because it kept jumping up at me. It likes to be held and I have tried to identify it to no avail. It has a bill that is both black and orange (on the sides). It's feet are spotted, but I don't think it Ancona because it's back is a light brownish color, but I don't think it khaki campbell because the feet are not solid and it's not dark enough. It had yellow tips on its wings and its belly is also yellow. It doesn't look like any of the ducklings that this hatchery (Estes out of Springfield Mo) carries. I though maybe Rouen, but it's not the dark wild stripey, but more of a lighter brown with traces of a stripe (light brown) under the eyes. I'm surprised that I cannot figure it out.
Can you show a picture?
Oops, I was trying to figure out duckling that I forgot to tell you congrats on the new babies. Sounds like they had a nice variety. I am afraid to go to our local feed store because I may bring home all of the ducklings!
This message was edited Mar 20, 2009 8:47 AM
Thanks for the congrats! Yes, I will take a pic and post it later today with hopes that you may be able to help me identify my new friend : )