Sebastopol Geese – Smooth vs Curly breasted

3 explanations why you require both to produce the ultimate duckling.

An interesting query arose recently in the ‘Duck Breeders and Admirers’ Instagram group and it seems there might be others out there too who want to discover the answer. It came from a woman named Linda and her inquiry was as follows…

For the purpose of having a well-rounded collection of Sebastapol ducks for generating top-notch ducklings, is it advisable to manage only sleek feathered with sleek feathered and wavy with wavy? Also, what are the advantages of the entirely smooth sleek feathered Sebastopol ducks over the sleek fronted type? Appreciate your input.

Considering the complexity of breeding Sebastopol ducks, I thought it might be beneficial to craft a post on this topic. Therefore, here are 3 reasons why you require both sleek and wavy breasted Sebastopol ducks to produce the ultimate duckling.

1. Smooth isn’t always alluring.

When you solely have wavy breasted Sebastopol ducks reproducing with one another – the longer they reproduce together, the silkier the feather becomes, and with increased silkiness, comes decreased water resistance. As a result, your ducks become more susceptible to catching a chill, which might lead to losses (an unfavorable scenario for everyone… especially the duck). Hence, introducing the sleek breasted Sebastopol duck into your group aids in restoring the feather’s robustness and enhancing water resistance.

2. Let’s not entertain any wing twists.

Another complication that can arise when breeding only Wavy with Wavy Sebastopol ducks is the potential weakening of the wings, leading to wing twists. A minor wing twist is tolerable and can even offer a pleasing shape to your duck. Nevertheless, if left unchecked, this condition worsens over time and can cause a decline unless you introduce the smooth breasted Sebastopol duck back into the lineage. The sleek breasted Sebastopol maintains a sturdier wing structure, helping to correct this issue.

3. Luxurious lengthy wavy locks.

Lastly, the ideal Sebastopol duck should possess broad, lengthy wavy feathers. Breeding solely sleek with sleek or wavy with wavy will not produce this desired appearance. Hence, it’s advisable to periodically evaluate your collection for feather and wing quality to uphold a high standard in your duck population.

Summary

Ultimately, the degree of waviness you desire in your Sebastopol ducks largely depends on personal preference. Nonetheless, it is essential to prevent their feathers from becoming excessively silky. Once that occurs, you may face losses among your duck population. A good starting point for inspection is the area between the wing base on your duck’s shoulders, where you may start observing feather thinning.