The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: PJB on August 04, 2013, 11:48:59 am

Title: male or female ducklings
Post by: PJB on August 04, 2013, 11:48:59 am

Probably a questions that is asked all of the time so forgive me.
My Ducklings are about 10days old now and growing fast.
is there any easy way to tell between Drake and females?   One is a lot bigger so i reckon this is a drake.
Any information appreciated.

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: graham-j on August 04, 2013, 12:45:12 pm

Hi,most people wait until they are about 8 weeks old and then quack test them.Pick them up if they quack they are female if they make a rasping noise they are male its as simple as that.
The only other way is to vent sex them this is both intrusive and difficult there are loads of video's on utube how to do it.

Graham.

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: gerpsych on August 04, 2013, 03:46:09 pm

Greenish bills and orange feet - more likely males (muscovey's anyway). But the advice about the quack test is more reliable.

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: roddycm on August 04, 2013, 04:17:59 pm

I vent sex at day old, found it very easy right from the start! I got a friend who breeds geese and ducks to show me how. Ask a breeder near you, its very simple and extremely useful!

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 04, 2013, 05:59:55 pm

once they have feathers their voice will break. boys kind of croak and girls quack. Catch them, squeeze and listen what noise comes out (whoever said that last year - you still make me laugh!  :roflanim: ). We are awaiting the feather stage urgently for 8 ducklings. Looks like more on the way , help! :&>

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: gerpsych on August 04, 2013, 08:29:54 pm

I found this to be a useful video

Metzer Farms - Sexing Baby Ducklings and Goslings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0kqaA8balc#ws)

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: HesterF on August 04, 2013, 10:40:03 pm

Colouring tricky because it's breed dependent. On the basis of mine, the females have started quacking at about four weeks whilst the males have continued to peep until two months old.

H

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 04, 2013, 10:47:35 pm

mine are about that old and so far I can't tell if there is a difference between the noises. I hope that they are all girls  ;) :&>

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: Hevxxx99 on August 07, 2013, 10:04:42 pm

I have muscovys and the males have noticeably longer backs and tend to be a little larger.  The ducks somehow look more feminine as well...  :eyelashes:

Title: Re: male or female ducklings
Post by: PJB on August 08, 2013, 07:57:53 pm

thanks everyone for your information.