Can a drake not have a drake feather?

[Chickiee]

I've been wondering for awhile now if 1 of our 2 Pekins (Clyde) is a drake. He/she has always been the quieter of the 2. He/she mounts Bonnie in the kiddie pool over the last couple weeks... At least I'm assuming that's what's going on... Feet on her back and grabbing the back of her upper neck. It doesn't seem to hurt or bother Bonnie, so whatever they are doing seems normal and okay with both. Clyde was hatched just before the first day of Spring, but still no drake feather. Bonnie has always been quite a talker so I'm sure she is a "she". Any thoughts? Could I have a drake with no drake feather??

 

[jdywntr]

Yes it is possible for it not to have a drake curl. The feather could get pulled out or something. In the next month or two, you will notice them mating more. At this age, he is probably just practicing. A determining factor will be if you see a penis. It is shaped like a corkscrew and takes a few seconds to go back in after mating. Sounds like it may be a male but females will mount each other too.

 

[PeanutnCashew]

My male is just getting his drake feather..he is right at 16 -17 weeks

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Ducks don't care, you will see girl on girl so that little romp in the pool doesn't help determine gender unfortunately.

 

[Chickiee]

Celtic Oaks... That's funny...It seems to be a regular morning thing... In the pool. It seems Clyde, besides not having a drake feather, is slightly quieter and maybe just a bit bigger. It seems his neck is slightly thicker. Thanks everyone for input... Very helpful!

 

[erinszoo]

I have two drakes and two ducks. They all romp with one another although the two drakes more wrestle with one another than anything. Both of our drakes are way bigger than our ducks and they have a whiney squeaky quack rather than the normal quack of our girls. Both have drake feathers although one lost his when he molted this year and it hasn't grown back. I don't know how old Pekins have to be to get their drake feathers so it's still possible he's a boy or he's a she. Time will tell.

 

[downsm75]

My male pekin sounds like a bull frog and my females sound like the AFLAC duck....

 

[Chickiee]

Thanks Erinszoo and Downsm75... I will listen to them more closely. I do try to distinguish between their sounds. One of them definitely sounds "Aflac". And one is VERY squeeky when sticking head in a bush looking for bugs or whatever. Just not sure if it's the same one or not. Do your female ducks run (literally) around together quacking like crazy from spot to spot? Super cute. Mine look like they're having fun and the hens just follow them all over approx 3 acres looking for new places to "graze". I really didn't know they would be so... umm... athletic? Both are equally watchful of surroundings... I thought a drake might be a bit more protective... On the same order of a rooster, but not as dangerous I guess.

 

[downsm75]

I have 3 very loud females that quack constantly.. One that gives a "HERE COMES THE FOOD LADY" quack when I come anywhere near them. My male kinda had a super low peep until here lately and now sounds like a small bullfrog lol. I got lucky because his bill is much lighter than the girls are. I also have a male and female Muscovy ducks. Their harder because they only quack when their scared..

 

[downsm75]

Actually, I could tell by size and looks that one was female and one was male