Author Topic: Sexing Ducks (Read 9399 times)

fairhaven · « **on:** August 01, 2012, 08:12:41 pm »

Hi

I've got a feeling that almost all of my Aylesbury's are male... I could have sworn that they were 3 trio's that we bought

They are about 4 - 6 mths old and their beaks are now all orange except one rather pinky one and they all have curly tails - Before I poke around their bottoms looking for something that I 'wouldn't know one if I saw one'

Has anyone here got any advice on sexing aylesbury ducks?

chris3000 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2012, 08:28:17 pm »

If the tails have curled then I would say they are definitely Drakes

What noise are they making - are they croaking or quacking?

Think they may be dinner

fairhaven · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2012, 09:00:15 pm »

A little bit of both - They seem to be getting more quacky than they were a month ago, We had planned on eating the males anyway, but it would have been nice to have had some females left for eggs later on!

Beeducked · « **Reply #3 on:** August 01, 2012, 09:49:22 pm »

This is the best demonstration of the difference I have found online.

http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/artquacks.htm

The curly tails are also a give away. If you do decide to keep one for future breeding keep the one with the pinky / flesh coloured bill. It is actually the colour Aylesbury's are meant to be!

graham-j · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2012, 10:21:17 pm »

Hi,that is so spot on.I have used this quack test for sexing ducks for a couple of years and amazing as it sounds I have found it 100% accurate.
If you have any doubt pick one up the females make a right din,any that don't are male.I pick them up check for the sound and mark them with a spot of sheep marker spray or fit a leg ring at the same time.

Graham.