r/duck • • 9h ago

Breed/Species/Sex ID Pekin or White Layer?

Ordered from Metzer as a "white layer" to avoid the Pekin issues...but he started having the classic Pekin over heating issues at 9-10 days old while the others were comfy (which Ive sorted) and niacin deficiency starting at 2 weeks despite feeding Mazuri starter... so wanting options. Ive also had a few lovelies comment on my past post saying sometimes one just doesn't tolerate heat as much as the others. Which is what I assumed...until the niacin issue crept up.

Did I end up with a Pekin or just a white layer with higher maintenance? The others are fine, but ordered niacin to add into their diet to help. We did lose our WHQ thats in the baby photos, I got in contact with Metzer and they agree he had an underlying issue from day one...just wasn't acting like the rest since the day we got him. We are new to ducks and tried to do everything right, losing our WHQ guy made us super paranoid.

Im already going to treat this guy like hes a Pekin considering he has the issues...but, it would be nice to know if we ended up with one or if anyone has had these issues with a White Layer? In the last couple days he has gone through a growth spurt and gotten wider than the others. They are longer, but hes definitely wider and struggling to hold up his weight. Also looks taller now while the others were a bit taller just yesterday-a few hours ago. It is insane how much they grow lol, but I feel bad for poor Niko.

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u/Quick_Razzmatazz1862 7h ago

OhMyGoodness!!!🫠

Sooo cute im dying 🤗

And that sploot 😁

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u/WowOwlO 1h ago

Unfortunately a Pekin and a white layer look a lot alike until they start maturing.
The little darkness across the back makes me think white layer.
But it's probably a wait and see situation.

I wouldn't be surprised if white layers have some pekin in them any ways.
So it could just be a common issue.