The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Daisys Mum on August 27, 2013, 10:17:57 pm

Title: Sexing the runner ducks
Post by: Daisys Mum on August 27, 2013, 10:17:57 pm
I have noticed that some of my young runners have different coloured beaks from the others, they are paler in colour, would be great if I could tell their sex by their beaks as I haven't a clue yet as no one has a curly tail  :-\
Title: Re: Sexing the runner ducks
Post by: roddycm on August 27, 2013, 11:30:37 pm
I vent sex all geese and ducklings at two days old! Its really easy with a wee bit of practice, I think there are how to vids on you tube or just google it... It makes life much easier!
Title: Re: Sexing the runner ducks
Post by: Bodger on August 28, 2013, 10:43:12 am
I do it by voice. Female ducks have a proper quack and the males don't. :farmer:
Title: Re: Sexing the runner ducks
Post by: jaykay on August 28, 2013, 10:49:18 am
Sadly the beaks aren't distinctive between males and females.

As Bodger says, the females quack and the males sound like they've got very sore throats  :)
Title: Re: Sexing the runner ducks
Post by: roddycm on August 28, 2013, 12:09:38 pm
Here is a good video for you all, it saves you having to rear all you duckling til 6-8 wks old only to find the mojority are males! I sell the extra males at day old depending on the breed, as the cute fluffyness means that they make a better price than an adult that I"ve spent time and money rearing! What she says about colour relates to her laying duck strain specifically and may work for appleyards etc but otherwise just ignore that part. The actual vent sexing really is as easy as it looks in the video and I have done it up to four weeks of age with 100% accuracy! Give it a go on your next batch of ducklings :)
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uxoNaQtjb7M&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuxoNaQtjb7M (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uxoNaQtjb7M&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuxoNaQtjb7M)
Title: Re: Sexing the runner ducks
Post by: Bodger on August 28, 2013, 12:21:01 pm
I'll give it a go, it could be extremely handy. :fc:
Title: Re: Sexing the runner ducks
Post by: Daisys Mum on August 28, 2013, 08:48:07 pm
I think mine could be a little p****d off if I try to vent sex them now so will just have to pick them up and listen for the quack  ;D :&>