standard color...or lack of color?

[KSWaterfowl]

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Indian Runner colors, but I have a "problem". I have trouts. 2 hens and a drake. They all have the normal eye stripes and the typical trout pattern. BUT I have another younger hen that is typical in everything, but she doesn't have the cream/white eye stripes. I was thinking she's always been darker than normal but, she is the same as the other two hens in body color, just lacks the facial stripes. Is this a dusky trout? I apologize, I know that Runner and Call colors are a point of contention for some breeders. But trout is a fairly established color pattern. Not something from last breeding season with a new name slapped on it. I can get a picture tomorrow if anyone would like. I am hesitant to use her for breeding, I'll probably cull her, but I thought she was just coming into her color, she got all her body color, and is coming out of her first adult molt, but doesn't have facial stripes or any inkling of getting any. its not a grey, but very distinct like this but lack the stripes.
Thanks in advance.


K&S --Jason

[Hummer]

I think you have probably figured out the answer to your question. Yes, if the hen is lacking they eye stripes of the typical Trout she could be a Dusky Trout. Dusky and Trout both effect to color of the Gray(or Wild) color pattern but work on two different gene sets. Dusky is imcompletely dominant while Trout is a recessive trait. The drake counterpart to the hen you described would show a partial or lack of bib and a partial or lack of neck ring. So, you probably should not use the hen for breeding with Trouts.

Hope it helps,

Hummer

[KSWaterfowl]

Thanks Hummer I had thought as much. Your response came after I sold her to a family looking for pet ducks. She was very friendly but I was reluctant to put her in with the trouts because I was pretty sure she was going to pass on the same genes and I don't need any more "projects" haha.
THANKS Again!