Ancona Ducks

[eggorthechicken]

good I just set 6 today :0)

 

[kelseysfowl]

Thats so exciting! dont you just love baby ducklings?!

 

[eggorthechicken]

im sure I will...I love critters. I dont have ducks...yet...but ive been wanting these for several months...so wish me luck!!

 

[kelseysfowl]

good luck then!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Hi everyone! Can I join too? I am a new lover of Ancona! I just ran into this thread!
Wish I had it a month ago!

I have entered the Duckling owner world!
Have a look at our NewYears EVE duckling hatch and Notes!
And in a little over a month!

Duckling Care & Brooder Ideas (and my Ancona Breed)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/duckling-care-brooder-ideas


Question: is there any way to tell sex other than the original vent sexing?

 

[eggorthechicken]

oh thats good info sally...I hope.mine hatch...just on day 4 now.

 

[Shewholovesducks]

UGH! I love these ducks they are so beautiful! This is my dream breed but no one sells them in my area! I might cave in and get them, I'm so torn between them welsh harlequin's, and msucovy (although those seem to be hard to find online they're legal so ??? ). I love how much they look like little dogs or something their patterns are adorable I hope more people keep them so hopefully they won't be so hard to come by!


EDIT: Question are they good mothers? Or at least Better then welsh harlequin's? I'd like to breed them a bit but I'm not to confident in my incubation abilities so it'd be great if they could rear their own young.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

oh thats good info sally...I hope.mine hatch...just on day 4 now.

Awesome!! I love them, but it sure wasnt a good time to start with them in Jan LOL

 

[harriedhomemaker]

Question: is there any way to tell sex other than the original vent sexing?

Not until they start true quacking (females are loud, males sound like frogs) or the drakes grow their curls. Vent sexing isn't that hard - much easier than chickens. Watch this video:

if you haven't already. My first time doing it we got their sex correct 8 out of 9 ducklings.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: cool thanks! I did vent and I think chocolate is a boy, I was scared to hurt their privates I guess you could say, I didnt screw around too much. So I think I rushed the sexing. can I vent sex them again at this age? I guess a tranquilizer may be in order for them and me? LOL