Adult plumage in trout runners

[Kizma]

Hi everyone.

At what age do runner ducks show their true adult plumage? I hatched my first mixed batch in July and was really excited thinking I had 3 trout ducks amongst all the other black runners. But they are 8 weeks old tomorrow and only 1 of the 3 is quacking. I then read somewhere that they will moult at 10-14 weeks and could change colour. So are my 2 non-quakers likely to moult and be drakes?

Any thoughts and experience on this would be appreciated, thanks

 

[sourland]

Very likely that the 'non quackers' are drakes. They will molt this autumn and their nuptial plumage will tell the tale.

 

[needlessjunk]

I also agree that if they aren't quacking yet they are likely males. I don't know when they will get their adult plumage though.

 

[Orca5094]

Agreed, those who are not yet quacking are most likely drakes at this point. And yes, they will all moult into their true adult plumage at around 2 months old.

 

[Kizma]

Thank you all for replying and confirming my suspicions. That means I have 3 drakes and 1 duck! Now I need to decide which drake to keep and get some more ducks.