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Determining Age?

post #1 of 8
6/29/12 at 10:52am
Thread Starter 

Hi all,

 

We have finally been able to purchase our first ducklings!  We have two different breeds: one is a Golden 300 and the other two are Magpies.  Our Golden 300 is significantly bigger than the other two but we were told they were relatively the same age (1-2 weeks old).  I have searched online in vain to find a sizing chart for ducklings.  Can anyone help me figure out how old my ducklings are?  The Golden 300 already has tail feathers forming.

 

We are newbie duck raisers, this is our first flock. :)

 

Thanks for your help!

 

Jennifer

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post #2 of 8
6/29/12 at 3:06pm

I wish I could help you... I am not the person to ask... However, I can communicate with you the "time period" at which I noticed tail feathers beginning to form on my ducks. I noticed "sprout-like" tail feathers that stuck out from the ducks' tails at 3 weeks of age. They looked sort of like little pine trees sprouting from the ducks' rears. That was at 3 weeks.

 

Some ducks are just a lot bigger than others. At the school where I work, the kindergarten hatched a mixture of duck breeds one year in the spring. Some of the ducks were small, and then some were like "behemoths." Hehe! Your ducks may easily be the same age, but just different breeds.

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just watch their feather growth and maturation's progress.  As long as everyone is eating and drinking and "seems" to be developing well, then you can celebrate and rest at ease!  smile.png

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post #3 of 8
6/29/12 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks Quacked Up!  I appreciate you taking the time to help me out :)

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post #4 of 8
6/29/12 at 3:47pm
Thread Starter 

Oh and here is the flock:  the big one is Big Bessie (the Golden 300), the other two are Einstein and Sunflower (Magpies).  Sorry for the blurry image, they were hard to capture on camera! ;)DSCN1246.JPG

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post #5 of 8
6/29/12 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JNGAL View Post

Oh and here is the flock:  the big one is Big Bessie (the Golden 300), the other two are Einstein and Sunflower (Magpies).  Sorry for the blurry image, they were hard to capture on camera! ;)DSCN1246.JPG

Wow! What a mix you have! Too cute! Yep, it will be a very fun experience to see how they all come along!

Fun! Fun! smile.png

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post #6 of 8
6/29/12 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks...I have three kids (ages 9,8 and 4) and they are thrilled. :)

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post #7 of 8
6/29/12 at 4:00pm

Oh my goodness, I bet they are! How sweet! This will be such a valuable, real-life learning experience for them! So cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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post #8 of 8
6/29/12 at 7:49pm

hey Jn, you have two different sizes of ducks is all. the magpies will be lighter in weight than the 300. Very cute bunch enjoy


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Celtic Oaks Farm LLC NPIP
Send us an EMAIL Like Us on Facebook Visit us on the web CELTICOAKS.COM
2013 waiting list ==== Our Swaps ==== Our Breeds (photos)
We CAN ship to VA (permit pending) & HI (permit required for each box)
Shipping live birds Article
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