Common ducks have smooth and short feathers on their heads. But there are breeds of black and white ducks with a tuft. The decoration gives the birds an unusual appearance; they immediately stand out from the rest, for which they are valued by poultry farmers. Let's consider the description and inherent characteristics of the breeds, their pros and cons, how to properly keep them, what to feed them, and how to breed tufted ducks.
Breeds of black and white ducks with a tuft on their heads
The appearance of crested breeds dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Their family includes local breeds without a tuft and tufted ducks. They can be classified into a separate group called Crested Duck. It includes several breeds, with differences in characteristics, but with a common feature - a lush crest on the head. The color of the plumage of tufted ducks is different, depending on the color of the breeds that took part in breeding. But there is a certain pattern - if the feathers are dark, then the color of the legs and beak is dark.
Russian Corydalis
The duck has a light, squat body, slightly raised, well muscled. The bird's head is rounded and elongated, the neck is short and curved. The back is wide, lowered towards the tail, the belly is voluminous. The feather is thick and close to the body. The crest is large, lush, consists of long narrow feathers, lighter than the general plumage.
The color of the ducks is white, black and white, multi-colored, orange legs.
Ukrainian Corydalis
The color of Ukrainian Crested cats is brownish-gray, pure white, and brownish. White ducks have a stripe on their necks of a different shade. On the chest, back, and sides there are feathers of a characteristic wild color, like those of a mallard. There are 2 dark stripes on the sides of the head.
The weight, build, characteristics and productivity of Ukrainian Cresteds are the same as those of Russians.
Bashkir Corydalis
The body is strong, muscular, convex chest, short neck, legs with large flippers.
Bashkir ducks have white and white-black colors, khaki-colored plumage with a pattern, like wild ducks.
Tufted duck
This is a wild duck with white and black plumage, which is common in Russia and Europe. The birds have a stocky build, drakes weigh 0.8-1.2 kg, ducks - 0.7-1.1 kg.
The color of the drakes is white belly, sides and chest, the head, neck, back and tail are black. White specks can be seen on the wings, shoulders and back of the feathers. The wings have a wide white stripe with a black border. The paws are black. Female Tufted Ducks are dark brown, with a white belly feather, and a dark gray beak.
How to choose?
When choosing the best representative of any breed, you need to pay attention to the correct build, healthy appearance, cleanliness of plumage and pattern. Ducklings must be properly developed, large, have a good appetite and activity. Adult ducks must have the characteristic characteristics of the breed and show good egg production.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tufted ducks are not factory farmed but are kept in private backyards as exotic rare breeds.They are not interesting for production, because the average weight of a drake is 3 kg, a duck is 2-2.5 kg, and the egg production is 55-60 eggs, the weight of which does not exceed 80 g.
Content Features
Wild ancestors passed on unpretentiousness to domestic tufted ducks. They are omnivorous and undemanding in their maintenance. Birds can be kept in outdoor pens, but it is better if they live free-range. In a pond, corydalis can find food in such quantities that they do not have to be fed. If there is no pond nearby, the ducks are fed soft grass, grain - crushed or sprouted.
Rules of care: placement of no more than 4 birds per 1 square. m, cleaning straw or peat litter, cleaning and disinfecting feeders and drinkers. Daily ventilation of the room and lighting in winter for 10-12 hours.
Breeding corydalis at home
The crested gene is not inherited by all ducklings. If one of the parents is without a tuft, then the ducklings will be ordinary. To obtain ducklings with a characteristic feature, it is necessary to select crested birds, both females and males. And not in one, but in several next generations. But even in this case, ordinary ducklings may appear.
Chicks can be hatched in an incubator or under a hen. The female can hatch 12-15 eggs.
Egg production and procreation
Corydalis can lay 60 eggs per season. If you keep drakes with ducks, you can use them for breeding. Usually all eggs are fertilized and the ducklings hatch well. The inherent resilience and disease resistance of wild ducks allows them to survive even in unfavorable conditions. During natural breeding, females themselves care for the offspring and preserve them without loss.When hatched in an incubator, ducklings are raised in a brooder; when they reach one month of age, they are transferred to a poultry house.
Tufted ducks are not raised for meat or eggs, nor for profit. Their value lies in their decorative appearance and bright plumage. As an ornamental bird, the corydalis is kept in private homes to decorate the yard. Despite the low productivity and rarity, poultry enthusiasts try to preserve the breeds and maintain interest in them.
