Hi everyone,
We have had Welsh Harlequin ducks for the last 4-5 years. We have always had a trio but have lost some due to foxes and replaced them with new ones as we have needed to keep the trio. Our last girl spent 3 and a bit weeks out in our yard inside a nest she created in a fallen tree on 13 eggs. 10 eggs hatched and 3 days later the ducklings were found on the dam alone with the mother no where in sight and the father constantly swimming away. We assume a fox got her and the father wasn't interested. We spent over an hour trying to catch them all and we have put them in a brooder box. We're happy to look after them.... It's not the first time we've used the box.
But my question is this
Why do I have a girl that has what I can only assume is the start of a pompom. She is the only one with it. Is what I'm seeing the start of a pompom or is it just extra fluffy feathers?
We can't be 100% certain that our last lot of ducks were pure Welsh Harlequins however they never showed any other characteristics of any other breed.
Attached is a photo of just "Dot" as the kids have named her, the father who is currently moulting, the mother with the babies at night and also the babies now
https://photos.app.goo.gl/C4ICz2PAfsEzdj392