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Chocolate
Silver Duck.
| Silvers
are still rather unstable colour group at present. UK Shows
and auctions this year have included a wide range of birds,
some with complete hoods, many missing hoods completely and
a mixture of birds with and without chocolate dilution all being
offered as 'Streichers'. This bird has the chocolate dilution
(d-) but lacks the tortoiseshell markings of the Welsh Harlequin
chromotype. She does have dark bill and feet suggesting that
dusky mallard (md md) genes are present. |
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2003 Silver
duckling showing 'tortoiseshell' markings.
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One of
our 2003 silver ducklings. Though lacking chocolate dilution,
did develop quite strong tortoiseshell/Welsh Harlequin markings
(including the peachy breast colour). This colour is close
to the historic 'Whalesbury' (Welsh Harlequin X Aylesbury),
although her wingbars are actually the violet/green correct
for the Streicher/Abacot chromotype.
Next year we will try some experiments to see if the chocolate
and the tortoiseshell markings can be combined. I don't know
what we'll call them if we succeed - Welsh Harlequin Runner
is a bit long!
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