5 month old Muscovy ducks - male or female?

[Sara2420]

Hi all,

My family and I took in two orphaned Muscovy ducklings back in May. We live on a lake in S FL and have a large Muscovy Duck community population. Once our two were old enough, they made friends and spend most of the day out and about. They still come home every night and stay in a duck hutch on our patio. They are about 5 months old and we are trying to decide if they are male or female. They are both about the same size and are close in size to the adult females in the neighborhood and smaller than the drakes. We don’t know if they are female or just not yet full grown. I’ll attach some pictures. They are both very friendly, fly well, and make all kinds of chirping noises.

The black with white on head is Boogie and Black with white chest is Bowie. The brown Duck is a neighborhood female they have befriended who has gotten pretty comfortable with us.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are both hens.

 

[Muscovy-palooza]

They are both hens.

I think hens as well. Just wondering what the give away was for you? Still learning

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think hens as well. Just wondering what the give away was for you? Still learning

They aren't big and clumsy looking. Drakes have thick legs and longer shovel bills. Hens are more refined looking with a more round head. Drakes also are longer in body and tail.

 

[Muscovy-palooza]

They aren't big and clumsy looking. Drakes have thick legs and longer shovel bills. Hens are more refined looking with a more round head. Drakes also are longer in body and tail.

The big flippers and stocky legs, longer body and overall bigger than some (hens). I have had some clutches that didn't have hens for comparison but am learning to identify males without comparing. Thanks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It can take until they are 3-4 months of age before you are sure. Than usually it's obvious. It is harder when they are all the same sex.