Breeds and Breeding behavior

[MSUredneck]

After researching online, I came to the conclusion I have one Indian runner duck and one buff duck (both of which are just about five months old). I'm fairly certain the runner is a male and the buff is female. How can I be sure of the sex? Is it likely that two different types will breed? They have been together since they were born, but I've noticed the "male" is starting to get protective of her and he is almost obnoxious when my buff comes up to me. He doesn't like when she wanders away from him and puffs up and carries on honking. Is this breeding behavior, or just separation anxiety? I'm still very new to ducks and not sure what to expect as they get older.

 

[70%cocoa]

If you have a male and a female they will mate for sure.

The sound of their voices is the easiest way to identify sex - ducks quack loudly but drakes make a soft raspy sound. At 5 months your guys should have their adult voices. What do they sound like to you?

If you are able to put up pics people can have a guess based on feather colour and pattern too.

The behaviour of the runner sounds normal for an adolescent boy who is sounding the alarm. He may be warning his lady to stay away from you. I wouldn't change what you are doing though My drakes often sound the alarm at things and none of the ladies take the slightest bit of notice.

 

[MSUredneck]

She quacks loud and he does have a raspy voice. I also heard that sex can be determined by beak shape/color and darker feathers on males. I tried putting a pic up on a thread but it didn't work. I'm not sure if it's due to my iPad or user malfunction

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Vent sexing, DNA sexing, voice sexing (girls QUACK boy whasp) and a drake curl on the tail are how to tell the, apart. Bill shape, size and color won't help you with it.

iPads are hard to use most of the functions here on BYC. You need to upload the picture to somewhere like Photobucket, then copy the entire img code and paste here to share the picture.