At What Age Do Male Ducks.......

[mandylovespets]

At what age do male ducks (Pekin's) normally get their drake feather? Mallard's don't get a drake feather is this correct???.....

 

[Katy]

All male ducks get a drake feather.....I haven't hatched any ducklings for a couple years and I"m really not sure when they get it....my memory isn't like it used to be!!

 

[greyfields]

It's not their age as much as the season.

 

[mommy9994]

It's not their age as much as the season.

so what season do they get thier drake feather? I've been watching mine, and haven't seen one yet (one is *supposed* to be male)​

 

[greyfields]

late Summer, early fall they'll go into nuptial plumage. Up until then, the sexes have their baby suits on and I don't think you'll be able to tell them apart.

 

[mommy9994]

so is that when she will start laying too? I know, someone as "duck stupid" as I am, shouldn't have them-- darn TSC!

 

[theOEGBman]

Quote:
Ah Ah Ah, Muscovies do NOT get the curly feather.

 

[Frosty]

You can sex them when they start to quack. Most ducks (with exceptions such as muscovies, mandarins, etc...) have mallard in their background. The hens have a loud quack, drakes are quieter and raspy (like they have a sore throat).

 

[mommy9994]

You can sex them when they start to quack. Most ducks (with exceptions such as muscovies, mandarins, etc...) have mallard in their background. The hens have a loud quack, drakes are quieter and raspy (like they have a sore throat).

I do remember reading that now. The girls start quacking earlier too don't they? in that case, the one that is supposed to be a girl, would indeed be a girl, and the boy is indeed a boy. Do male ducks also "protect" thier hens? I let the 5 week old chicks out for a bit, and they wanted to follow the ducks. Well, the ducks were scared to death of them, and every once in a while, Ducky Lucky would get up the courage to try to "protect" Quackers from the big bad chickies LOL (I put the chicks up so they wouldn't get hurt)​

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Ah Ah Ah, Muscovies do NOT get the curly feather.

really? I didn't know that! I stand corrected

I haven't been around any muscovies since I was a kid a loooooooong time ago, so I'll use that as my excuse!!