Mallard DNA
Contributors to this thread:Small Game
From: Zbone
06-Feb-25
Zbone's Link
For you waterfowlers, did not know this is an issue: "Mallard DNA Test Shows Farm Genetics"
https://www.fieldandstream.com/hunting/mallard-dna-farm-genetics?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=ntdLK_vWMYvnvufd_tB9c7AvJpDWW0SN1Dx7pwqkFJs.Y7Ln5L
From: sawtooth
06-Feb-25
Turkeys would be interesting too. Good information.
From: Corax_latrans
06-Feb-25
Makes me want to go duck-hunting and try to target the drakes that look like his….
From: Aspen Ghost
06-Feb-25
Interesting. It says it takes 3.3 farm/hybrid hens to produce as many offspring as a wild hen. So why are the hybrids becoming the predominant population if they are being out produced by wild birds?
From: JohnMC
06-Feb-25
Not only that Aspen but it says negatively impact migration, nesting, and survival. Seems like the problem would to a large extent take care of itself.
From: Zbone
06-Feb-25
Yeah Aspen Ghost and JohnMC, I was thinking the same thing, those stats make me wanta think farm birds are going extinct...8^)
Yeah sawtooth, turkeys genetic I think would be interesting too...
From: ltg11
06-Feb-25
I've listened to a few podcasts on it. Very Interesting. Some of the farm mallard hybrids have shorter wings that aren't as good for migrating and they're not going as far south.
My buddy was selected for their normal test.
They are testing a weirdo hybrid duck I shot this year too.
From: Norseman
06-Feb-25
Piebald teal?
From: Zbone
06-Feb-25
Yeah, is that a piebald teal, or wonder if one of the parents was crossed with a farm duck... Would be interesting to know it's DNA...
You say are they testing it?
From: SD
06-Feb-25
I've shot a couple (as long as 30yrs ago) that the local college bird expert said were likely mixed with domestic ducks. A lot of parks and gold courses where I live have plenty of domestic ducks mingling with wild ducks. Could just be a lot of opportunities for them to breed together that keeps the domestic genes from breeding out.
From: Bowman
10-Feb-25
@ geometry dash lite: That is amazing. Good information.
From: ltg11
11-Feb-25
zbone, yes... They are mainly are interested in mallards. But they will test interesting hybrids as well. I should know in a month what it is. At least, if its 100% teal, that means its a piebald, albino, leucistic or whatever mutation vs some kind of farm duck cross breed.
The reason for the project... there are game farms that release domestic mallards to shoot. With a bird that can fly, obviously, some escape. After years and years of escapees and those game farm mallards breeding into the wild population, it is having some negative effects.
