[Hillview Farm]

I bought 4 aylesbury "female" ducks in october. They were 17-21 weeks old and I was quite happy with thwm. They all make the female sort of quacking. None have a curl on there backside like males but yet this week I saw one mating another . Do they get confused? Everything seems female about it but yet it acted like a male?

Any surgestions?

[Sylvia]

A gay duck    Shouldn't stop her laying I wouldn't think!

[Ina]

I've known a female that developed into a male quite late... We'd always wondered why we only had 7 eggs from 8 ducks - until we noticed some slight signs of maleness (curly feather) in one!

[Daisys Mum]

I have 11 runners that were born in September and I still can't see any difference apart from 2 of them having paler beaks.

[goosepimple]

Could be a late developer - I did see one of our Muscovy males trying to mate with another male on the pond recently, I do think they get confused, or perhaps they are going through an experimental phase 

[Marches Farmer]

Are you sure they were young ducks?  Male hormones do "turn on" as ducks age.

[Hillview Farm]

They are defo young but I think there all abit confused. One of my other females (who I know if female and is laying) was "mating" another female. Maybe as its out of season and my males are taking no notice they are showing dominance?

[northfifeduckling]

my ducks do that,  mainly during winter and early spring. I think it has to do with establishing a "pecking" order. It is a weird thing and at first I thought I wasn't seeing right as they are definitely girls on top - they had been laying eggs before! Time to do some research into duck anatomy, it gets me curious 

[robbiegrant]

Hmmmmm Happy New Ear!!!!
Looks like we have ended up with 5 ducks that quack, but I have my doubts. Oooty has a funny husky quackand is getting ginomous by the day, a fine strapping duck. looks like he/she is leading the flock now. Bali( Doing very well now )  in contrast is slender and very upright in stance, very ladylike, still a lower frequency quack. I did read a post ( dunno where?!?! ) about ducks from different places having accents. Ours have come from 3 different places and sound very distinct. I m sure i can identify them individually by there quack alone.

I suppose the proof of the pooding is egg laying....

That first eggs is gonna be so tasty ( it should be it has cost loads to produce ) 

Hope u all have a very successful 2013

Robbie

[Mel Rice]

I bought 3 pairs of different ducks....or at least thats what I ordered. I now have only 3 lert(due to Mr fox!) Two one type (LandEnten....like an alysbry ie: big and yellowish white) The other is also white with black markings on its head.
Both the Landenten have a curl to the tail, one has a very yellow beak the other has pale beak, they all seem to quack.. I was hoping that the yellow beak one was male and the other two female....I think I will have to wait til spring to find out for sure.

[robbiegrant]

They are defo young but I think there all abit confused. One of my other females (who I know if female and is laying) was "mating" another female. Maybe as its out of season and my males are taking no notice they are showing dominance?

Domanatrix Duck

[northfifeduckling]

yeah, I have quite a few of those 


how did you fare in the recent floods, robbie? River went over quite a few places again 

[robbiegrant]

Evening.. Kerstin, I trust yew are well.
Did ewe just use the F word?!?! Its the worst I've seen it since I came here in '94.
A bit scarey. But with friends and neighbours we managed. Ta for asking 
It'll take more than a wee drop o water to stop us!!!

See also here..... http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=30078.msg301815#msg301815

Robbie

[northfifeduckling]

Bleeding hell, I had no idea this is where you live! I pictured you down river somehow. We came over the next day and the Argos road was still closed, we kind of got the idea....good you are all safe! Neighbours here were hit again with water draining off the field in the shape of rivers right through their basement level kitchens....I saw some  on the river yesterday and did wonder if they are escapees, looked like real beauties, Peking ducks maybe, and did think off you and yours.
Off to hopefully get a car tomorrow after 7 weeks involuntary home confinement and dependency on flexi taxi and lifts